2010-2011 HBU Catalog - Houston Baptist University

The liberal arts curriculum requires demonstration of competence in reading English, Writing English, and
functional use of computer technology. The BSN students broaden their liberal arts core with studies in
humanities, and fine arts.
The graduating courses broaden to care of groups of people and families. The core Capstone courses
include studies in Nursing Management and Health Care Administration.
The goal of the School of Nursing and Allied Health is to educate nurses to create health care delivery systems to
meet the needs of individuals, families and groups in society. Health care is focusing on health promotion and
disease prevention, as well as community based care. The curriculum reflects this focus and includes
opportunities for service-based learning. All courses required for the BSN degree are offered at HBU.
Applicants to the nursing programs are to meet entrance requirements of Houston Baptist University and are to
manifest positive qualities of health, character and personality with the potential to develop good professional
character. Objective criteria (HESI Admission Assessment scores for grammar, reading comprehension, and
math, grade point averages, science grade point average, hours completed toward the degree, and hours taken at
HBU) may be used to rank candidates for selection for entry into the programs depending on the number of
eligible candidates and availability of faculty and clinical experiences. Standardized exams are given at
checkpoints throughout the curriculum and a comprehensive exam is administered at the end of the
undergraduate programs. The exams are used as measures of retention and competence to enhance students‘
abilities to take the RN licensure exam. Failure to demonstrate retention or competence on the specified exams
requires remediation. Remedial study and retesting to demonstrate retention and competence may result in delays
for graduation.
Houston Baptist University‘s School of Nursing and Allied Health offers a rigorous nursing curriculum that
includes academic and clinical performance requirements. To be awarded a Bachelor‘s Degree in Nursing, the
student must successfully complete both elements of the program. Students who receive a nursing degree from
Houston Baptist University will have been exposed to the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the RN
licensure exam and perform the clinical tasks normally expected of registered nurses. The Houston Baptist
University School of Nursing and Allied Health does not guarantee that each person admitted to its nursing
program will pass all elements of the program or that those graduated from the program will be able to pass the
licensure exam and/or secure employment as a nurse. Attaining these goals depends on the degree to which the
student diligently applies him or herself to the studies and on the economic forces influencing the health care
industry. Neither of these factors is within the control of the Houston Baptist University School of Nursing and
Allied Health.
The nursing programs are accredited by the following agencies:
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission,
3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500,
Atlanta, Georgia, 30326
P. 404.975.5000
F. 404.975.5020
Website: www.nlnac.org
Texas Board of Nursing,
333 Guadalupe #3-460, Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: (512) 305-6818.
Website: www.bon.state.tx.us
NOTE: RN licenses are issued by the Texas Board of Nursing, not the University. The Board of Nursing may
refuse to admit a person to the R.N. licensure examinations if the person has been convicted of any felony or a
misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or to any individual with lack of fitness or good character to practice
nursing by any reason of physical or mental illness, intemperate use of alcohol or drugs, or unprofessional or
dishonorable conduct which is likely to deceive, defraud, or injure patients or the public. Under its procedures,
the Board is required to conduct a background check of these areas.
An individual enrolled or planning to enroll in the nursing education program who has reason to believe he or she
may be ineligible for the R.N. license may petition the Texas Board of Nursing for a declaratory order as to the
person‘s eligibility. Neither the University nor its faculty can answer this question for a person. The Board of
2010-2011 HBU Catalog www.hbu.edu/catalog Page 173