The Journey of UT Tyler’s School of Nursing
by Elizabeth Wingfield
Celebrating 50 Years
The University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the growth made possible by the community’s support. Since its inception as a small academic division, nursing at UT Tyler has grown into one of the largest programs in the state, offering three bachelor’s degree options, five master’s degrees, three doctoral programs and six certificates. With 104 faculty members and more than 2,000 students, the school comprises over 25% of UT Tyler’s enrollment and the programs are available on four of UT Tyler’s five campuses and online.
“It has been an incredible honor to be part of the UT Tyler School of Nursing for 32 of these 50 years,” says School of Nursing Dean Barbara K. Haas. “I’ve had the privilege of witnessing incredible growth as a result of our vision for nursing education and caring for the community.”
A Vision for Nursing
in East Texas
In 1975, shortly after Tyler State College became Texas Eastern University, the Division of Nursing was established within the School of Technology and Applied Science. The division allowed registered nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing after completing their prerequisites at a community college. In 1982, the first class of traditional BSN students—those who weren’t already licensed as an RN—began.
In 1995, the Palestine Distance Initiative was approved as UT Tyler’s first off-campus instructional site. The professors in Tyler taught class to students in Palestine through an “interactive TV” system that allowed each location to see and communicate with the other.
The program expanded to Longview in 1997—the same year the Division of Nursing became the School of Nursing.
Transforming Nursing Education
In 1998, the School of Nursing introduced the first preceptor program in Texas that integrated preceptors into clinical courses beginning in the second semester of the program. This allowed students to be mentored by licensed nurses while still under faculty supervision. Before this program, a faculty member was responsible for supervising a group of 10 students across several floors at a hospital. This model limited the individualized attention students received and their ability to practice skills. “A nursing student in their second semester of nursing school was lucky to have one to two opportunities to start an IV and may manage one or two patients,” says Haas. “Now with preceptors, students at this level often start eight to 10 IVs and help manage four to five patients, giving them valuable experience and ensuring that patients receive the best care possible.” Following UT Tyler’s example, nursing programs across Texas have since made preceptorship standard practice.
In 2008, the school expanded the culture of the university when they established the PhD in nursing—the first doctoral program at UT Tyler. “University administration approached the School of Nursing dean and asked for a PhD program proposal in one week!” says Haas. “We closed ourselves in a conference room as we wrote the curriculum, fueled by peanut M&Ms and Cheez-Its. We reviewed programs across the country and considered our own experiences as doctoral students to develop a program based on best practices and student needs.”
Their diligence in creating the program paid off. UT Tyler’s online PhD in Nursing was the third in the nation, and the school was soon inundated with applicants. Other UT Tyler doctoral programs followed, prompting the institution to strengthen its research initiatives.
In 2019, the school began year-round admissions, accepting 600 pre-licensure students annually instead of their previous 360. That same year, UT Tyler launched partnerships with local community colleges to offer concurrent enrollment. This degree option allows students to complete their associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing simultaneously at UT Tyler and their respective community college.
This year, the school continues to meet the region’s health care needs as it accomplishes its next major milestone: establishing the critical care nursing pathways. These pathways include the flight nursing certificate, adult geriatric acute care nurse practitioner certificate and the nurse anesthetist program. The flight nursing certificate is the second of its kind in the country and will feature simulations in a retrofitted helicopter.
A Year of Celebration and Looking to the Future
In 2025, the school will commemorate its 50th anniversary through a variety of events, including the completion of the David G. and Jacqueline Braithwaite Building, the home of the School of Nursing. Last year’s 47,000-square-foot addition tripled its simulation space, a cutting-edge realistic learning environment where students practice clinical skills on high-fidelity simulators. Thanks to the expansion, a greater number of nursing students will be better equipped to meet patients’ needs. Completion of the addition will add areas for student wellness, community engagement and research.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of UT system, donors, UT Tyler faculty and staff, and the East Texas community,” says Haas. “This year-long celebration is a reflection of the immense appreciation we have for the support our community has shown us over the past 50 years. We’re excited for all that the future holds as we grow together.”