University Star

Prospective students in the health field have less than two weeks to apply for the fall 2010 semester at the School of Nursing at Texas State in Round Rock.

The last day to turn in an application for the school was originally set for Jan. 15, but has been extended to Feb. 5.

Officials said they are still seeking student and faculty applicants.

“The courses are intense and the semester carries heavy credit hours, so they (applicants) must demonstrate they can academically succeed,” said Barbara Covington, associate professor in the St. David’s School of Nursing. “Someone (must be) caring, intelligent and bottom-line understand that while this is a profession, it is lifelong learning and compassion.”

Construction is scheduled for completion by April 15. The building is estimated to be fully furnished by June 1 for no more than 100 junior-level nursing students.

Ruth B. Welborn, health professions dean and leading advocate for the nursing school, said her involvement with the project harks back to earlier years.

“It is a state-of-the-art, three-story building with 80,000 square feet,” Welborn said. “We traveled around the country investigating what the best building design would be for our students. This is Texas State for the 21st century.”

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the newly designed nursing school program last year in January. The Texas Board of Nursing accepted the proposal seven months later on a conditional status, pending the building’s completion.

Marla Erbin-Roesemann, director and professor of the School of Nursing, said officials from the Texas Board of Nursing are scheduled to pay a visit around July to verify it is a “high-tech, high-touch program.”

Erbin-Roesemann said eight faculty and three staff members have been hired so far, and they are “still tweaking” the curriculum. She said having the status of a newly nationally accredited nursing school gives them “leeway” in the types of technology and instructional materials they can choose to accompany curriculum.

“The second floor is really devoted to simulations,” Erbin-Roesemann said. 

Covington, who serves as simulation specialist, said the goal of their program is to provide students with “real clinical experience in a safe environment.” 

“I can’t go out and make humans have heart attacks, but I can with the mannequin,” Covington said.

Covington said the mannequins range from low-fidelity — drawing blood from the arm — to high-fidelity — which programs seizures, breathing patterns, heartbeats, cardiac arrest, conversations, sweating and dilation of the eyes.

Volunteers from the community will be asked to come in for mock-consultations with nursing students. All of the beds for consultations have video cameras, allowing students to review their work.

Covington said the materials’ cost are “not placed on the shoulders of the students.”

“Yes, they’re expensive,” Covington said about the mannequins. “But we have benefactors.”

Erbin-Roesemann said she wants students to study hard, but to have fun along the way. She said a solid GPA and track record in science courses would better applicants’ chances of being accepted.

“What things in their life have influenced them to apply for the university?” Erbin-Roesemann asked. “Who has the passion?”

Welborn said University President Denise Trauth successfully helped the school acquire state funds. The school received $36 million through tuition revenue bonds, $6 million through St. David’s Community Health Foundation and $2 million through a state exemption line item.

“I could not be more proud for Texas State,” Covington said. “We’ve developed something that is really cutting edge for nursing and education.”