Welcome to the Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing

What is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing?

• The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a baccalaureate nursing program. Prerequisite courses are completed during the first two years of study. After acceptance into the program, students continue with nursing courses and clinical experience, leading to graduating with a BSN and passing state boards to receive the RN license.

Why pursue a BSN?

• 1. The worldwide nursing shortage means an abundance of employment opportunities for nursing school graduates.
• 2. A variety of opportunities are available. Nurses work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities, just to name a few. There are also many fields within nursing, such as critical care, gerontology, informatics, obstetrics, oncology, pediatrics, surgery, and management.
• 3. Expanding opportunities exist. As physicians become increasingly specialized, nurses have more opportunities to provide direct care to patients.
• 4. There is room for advancement. With a BSN, a student can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing degree and take nursing practice to a new level by becoming a nurse anesthetist, midwife, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist.
• 5. Salaries are profitable. Starting salaries for nurses can top $55,000. With more experience, the earning potential can exceed $70,000 (based on 2008 brochure).
• 6. Job Security is present. During this time of short supply and high demand, the healthcare industry is striving to retain the nurses it currently has while attracting new recruits.
• 7. Flexible schedules can be arranged. Because there is a need for nurses twenty-four hours a day, hours can be arranged to fit lifestyles.

Points of Interest about the School of Nursing program are:

• 1. Students are admitted in the fall and spring semesters;
• 2. We have a cohort structure that allows students to progress through the program together, promoting camaraderie;
• 3. There are no summer nursing classes;
• 4. We historically have one of the highest licensure, graduation, and persistence rates in Texas;
• 5. Nearly 80% of our faculty are practicing nurses, and their insightful knowledge and hands-on experience further enhance student learning;

More Points of Interest:

• 6. State of the art simulation equipment enables students to train for real-life scenarios while building confidence and teamwork;
• 7. Our students are highly recruited by hospitals across the state. Hospitals visit often to recruit nurses, so most students have jobs waiting for them when they graduate;
• 8. We are accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting  Commission, Inc. (NLNAC);
• 9. The Student Nurses Association (SNA) supports students in personal and professional development and enhancement of networking skills. SNA membership is available to declared nursing majors entering SFA (contact SON Office for information);
• 10. We have entered our brand new nursing facility (see PPT presentation of Dedication above);
• 11. We are the best kept secret in the State of Texas.

To be admitted into the School of Nursing, one must:

• 1. Have a Science GPA of 2.75 or above, consisting of grades in Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Chemistry 111, Microbiology, and Pathophysiology;
• 2. Have an overall GPA, consisting of all college classes, of 2.5 or above;
• 3. Be accepted into Stephen F. Austin State University;
• 4. Complete, or be in the process of completing, all prerequisite courses;
• 5. Pass a required nursing entrance exam.