Future nursing school to receive millions in funding

Future nursing school to receive millions in funding

Written by Christi Snow Thursday, 07 June 2007

Program designed to support need for healthcare professionals

When the 80th Texas Legislature ends its regular session May 28, Texas State University – San Marcos expects it will have the money needed to build the university’s first school of nursing, which will be located at the Round Rock Higher Education Center.

The Legislature approved tuition revenue bonds for a second building at the RRHEC campus at the end of a 2006 special session. Once the current House and Senate issue the debt service on those bonds, the school will have $36 million to begin their efforts with $2 million earmarked for hiring faculty and maintenance and operations the first year of the program.

Filling a need

An increasing shortage in the health care profession made the nursing school a priority, said Ruth Welborn, dean of the Texas State University College of Health Professions. Their data shows Texas has 646 registered nurses per 100,000 population compared to the national average of 825.

RRHEC Director Edna Rehbein said the campus’ proximity to healthcare facilities in the area also made it a prime fit for the program. That has not always been the case.

“The city has been talking to Texas State for awhile about getting a nursing program,” she said. “We would tell them, ‘We don’t have any hospitals to work with.’ The next thing you know, the hospital is right here.”

Recently, the city council and Round Rock Chamber of Commerce have directed their efforts toward creating a local healthcare hub. Hospitals and support services have begun to move into the area, including comprehensive hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, clinics and doctor offices.

Neighboring plans

Next door, Austin Community College also wants to build a campus that would support a two-year nursing program, although plans are still in the early stages. ACC President Stephen Kinslow noted they already have 300 students wanting entrance into their current program, but enough space is not available. Their school would compliment Texas State, he said.

Rehbein said Texas State has wanted to build the school, but would not until they had funds for both building the actual project and then sustaining the program, which will require around 22 employees, along with maintenance and operations.

Future building

The new Texas State nursing school will sit southeast of the existing Avery building. Students will complete their clinical training and rotations at the three area hospitals, which include the almost-open Scott & White University Medical Campus and Seton Medical Center - Williamson, along with St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center.

In response to a $6 million gift to support initial administration and facilities, the school will be named St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University-San Marcos. Scott and White added $250,000 for nursing scholarships and Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos offered another $50,000.

Already, architects have begun initial designs and ground should break by Summer 2008. The school will open in 2010, with around 100 students starting as junior transfers who will comprise the first graduating class two years later.