February 13, 2018
East Texas Baptist University has been recognized by the Annual RegisteredNursing.org Registered Nurse (RN) Program State Rankings as the eighth ranked RN Program in Texas out of 114 programs evaluated and 50 ranked. Since 1992, ETBU has been equipping nurses with knowledge, professional skills, and compassion. ETBU Nurses have consistently achieved 100% pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and 100% of the East Texas Baptist Nursing School graduates within the last three years have received job offers upon degree completion.
"Four years ago, we began to reconstruct our nursing program from leadership, academic program requirements, curriculum, to faculty with one goal in mind to produce highly knowledgeable and skilled Christian servant BSN graduates," Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders said. "This wonderful recognition by RegisteredNursing.org is another sign of progress toward that goal. Our faculty, staff, and students deserve this recognition, but even greater than this accolade is that our students are the hands of Christ in care and healing which is the heart of our mission at ETBU."
The RN Program State Rankings were measured by analyzing the current and historical NCLEX-RN pass rates, referring to the percentage of graduates who pass the exam. Programs reviewed include schools that offer an Associate in Nursing, BSN, or Direct-Entry MSN Degree. With 135 students currently enrolled in ETBU's Nursing Program and projected growth with the expansion of the new RN to BSN program, ETBU announced that the School of Nursing will relocate to the historic Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall. The renovation will allow ETBU to educate additional nurses to help meet the growing need for healthcare professionals throughout the region.
"The recognition could not have come at a more opportune time. As we start a new chapter of our nursing program that was established in the 1990's by relocating to the Marshall Grand, ETBU is dedicated to a level of excellence that glorifies Christ," ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. "It is an honor to be the highest ranked program in the East Texas region and in the top 10 programs in the state of Texas, and we appreciate every individual that has contributed to producing quality nurses that deserve recognition for not only their academic success, but their sincere care for people and their patients."
East Texas Baptist University has exceeded the School of Nursing Campaign goal of $1.8 million with the support of over 180 donors for a total of more than $2.3 million. The University intends to commence construction this summer in anticipation of relocating the School of Nursing to the Marshall Grand in the spring semester of 2019. This new facility in the Marshall Grand will not only be an essential part of the educational program of ETBU, but also an anchor for activity in downtown Marshall.
"What an honor to stand tall with this group of excellent nursing programs in our state," ETBU Dean of the School of Nursing Rebekah Grigsby said. "Our mission at ETBU is to educate our students and provide them with the knowledge and skill-set to deliver high quality patient-centered care, which is reflected in successful completion of the NCLEX-RN Exam. Our value and emphasis in Christ-centered nursing care is foundational to the excellence in nursing our graduates provide. We are ecstatic, yet challenged, to continue our pursuit for excellence in nursing education."