Press Release – Howard Payne University continues to make strides in its efforts to offer a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The university is working closely with representatives from the Texas Board of Nursing to ensure necessary measures are taken with regard to nursing faculty and curriculum.

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Dr. Nina Ouimette, HPU’s dean of nursing, recently filed a Letter of Intent with the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) that outlined the university’s intentions of establishing a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. TBON reviewed Dr. Ouimette’s academic transcripts and verified that she holds the necessary qualifications to serve as HPU’s proposed Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Education program director.

Dr. Ouimette and Laci Sutton, HPU instructor of nursing, are registered to attend a TBON new program development information session on October 10 in Austin.

“We’re pleased with the progress Dr. Ouimette and Mrs. Sutton have made so far and we’re encouraged by the Board of Nursing’s affirmation of Dr. Ouimette’s qualifications,” said Dr. W. Mark Tew, HPU provost and chief academic officer. “We look forward to keeping the public informed of our progress through the Board of Nursing’s approval process.”

Dr. Ouimette earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from George Mason University, a Master of Science degree in child development and family relations from East Carolina University, a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Hardin-Simmons University and a Doctor of Education degree from Texas Tech University. Her past experience includes serving as dean and professor of nursing with tenure at Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing from 2009 to 2016. Also with Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, she served as Bachelor of Science in Nursing director and associate professor of nursing with tenure from 2008 to 2009 and as assistant professor from 2002 to 2008. Additionally, she served as an adjunct faculty member at Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing from 2000 to 2002 and as RN clinical nurse analyst and nurse educator at Hendrick Medical Center from 1997 to 2002. She was employed by HPU in June.

Sutton, who joined the HPU faculty in 2016, received her Bachelor of Science degree from HPU in 2009 and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Lubbock Christian University in 2014. Her experience includes clinical examiner and adjunct faculty positions at Excelsior College in New York. She has also held positions at the Medical Intensive Care Unit of Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, including unit nurse tech, unit registered nurse and relief charge nurse. Concurrent with HPU’s development of a proposal for a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, Sutton is completing work toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Grand Canyon University.

HPU continues to recruit students to its RN-to-BSN degree program. This program allows for a registered nurse with an unencumbered license to continue his or her education toward a post-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

For more information about HPU’s RN-to-BSN degree program, visit www.hputx.edu/nursing.