Addressing A Looming Shortage: UST to Welcome First Class of ABSN at New Interactive Learning Site
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on Texas, the need for nurses is greater than ever.
University of St. Thomas is taking steps to fill positions in demand by welcoming its first cohort of Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree students in a 19,811-square-foot, interactive learning environment.
New Interactive Learning Site
On Aug. 31, students will begin the 12-month program at a new site that includes two state-of-the-art simulation labs, a 12-bed clinical skills lab and two testing rooms. The site also will include a room that simulates a home health setting, along with a student lounge, and administrative and faculty offices. All told, the space can accommodate up to 200 students.
The interactive learning site is part of a comprehensive program rooted in Catholic values that features the university’s accredited holistic nursing curriculum and an opportunity for students to hone their skills through clinical rotations at top Houston-area hospitals.
Pursue the Calling and Fill Urgent Need for Nurses
“Our goal is to afford more people the opportunity to pursue their calling while filling the urgent need for nurses in our community and throughout the state,” said Dr. Poldi Tschirch, dean of the University’s Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing.
Tschirch cited projections from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis that revealed Texas will have the second-largest nursing shortage in the country behind California by 2030. During the next 11 years, the number of unfilled positions is expected to grow to nearly 57,000, based on data from the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies. https://dshs.texas.gov/chs/cnws/
"But while the nursing shortage is well-documented, thousands of students are turned away from colleges and universities whose programs are at capacity," Tschirch said. “Our goal is to work hand in hand with local health providers to plan for their nursing workforce needs.”
Apply Now
The program will include three start dates each year, with the first classes set to begin in the fall of 2020. For more information, visit here.
The University of St. Thomas is Houston’s Catholic University. For more than 70 years, UST has graduated students into successful careers in medicine, education, business, public administration and more. As Houston grows, UST will continue to provide the strong leaders and skilled workers needed to meet those demands.
