The School of Nursing currently offers five programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, three Master of Science degrees in Nursing (MSN), and the Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate. A sixth program is slated to begin in Fall 2022, with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s approval of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP.) The addition of this program in the School of Nursing drives the advancement of clinical and evidence-based research opportunities alongside active practice in interprofessional care.
The growth of the programs in the School of Nursing is evidenced through the success and meritorious accomplishments of the bachelor’s degree programs, which includes RN-BSN and Second-Degree BSN options. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and MSN graduates have successfully achieved board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) with a first attempt pass rate of 100% for more than 20 years. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) post-graduate certificate was introduced alongside the inauguration of UTRGV in 2015 and is credited with increasing mental health care nurse providers in the Rio Grande Valley as the program has grown from a single enrollee to over 30 in 2022. Preparation of successful, credentialed mental health providers has not only impacted the RGV but communities across the state of Texas and 17 other states as well.
All of the programs in the UTRGV School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Position Overview
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) seeks an innovative, experienced academic leader to serve as the Dean, School of Nursing. This individual must evidence commitment to promoting and fostering excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, professional practice, and service. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a leader with a minimum of five years prior executive academic leadership experience in a college or school of nursing to build and expand the current Nursing programs. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the SON Dean will collaborate with other UTRGV schools/colleges to sustain and further develop interdisciplinary and innovative opportunities for teaching and research that will help address the unique health care disparities and priorities for the region.The SON Dean will play an instrumental role in implementing the vision and programs that will continue UTRGV’s important role in enhancing the health care available to the South Texas underserved and underrepresented populations. This is an exciting time in the history of the SON to build upon its rich tradition and prepare for the future where technology and new methodologies are changing the landscape of health care delivery and nursing education.
The SON Dean will have a deep commitment to students and their success, in addition to a record of accomplishment with building strong and abiding interpersonal relationships.
Qualifications
- Doctorate in Nursing or a related field.
- Credentials that merit appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in Nursing.
- Eligibility to obtain RN licensure in Texas.
- National reputation as an academic leader who can demonstrate a portfolio of achievement in leadership, scholarship, and teaching.
- At least five (5) years’ experience in a senior leadership position within an academic nursing program with a strong, sustained record of administration and leadership in support of students and faculty excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship.
- Successful experience managing budgets in an academic institution and forecasting School needs.
- Demonstrated involvement of scholarship and research through active research, publications, and presentations or history of successful program of funded research including considerable success in grant writing and awards.
- Experience in developing and growing a successful Doctor of Nursing Practice program with vision and knowledge to also establish a Ph.D. in Nursing.
