Skip to main content
  • About
    • Accreditation
    • Dean
    • Administration
    • Nursing Simulation Lab and High-Fidelity Manikins
    • Faculty
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Academic Programs
    • Undergraduate Application Process
    • Graduate Application Process
  • Student Success Network
    • Academic Coaching
    • Nursing Mentor Program
    • Social and Community Engagement
    • Student Success Network Testimonials
  • Resources
    • Faculty Resources
    • Scholarships
    • Student Resources
    • Nursing Organizations
  • News and Events
DIRECTORY
MAPS
MYUTRGV
UTRGV
The University of Texas
Rio Grande Valley
DIRECTORY
MAPS
MYUTRGV
News
GIVE
Open Search Menu
Menu
utrgv logo
School of Nursing
Division of Academic Affairs
  • About
    ▼
    About Square placeholder image 300px
    About

    Discover exceptional nursing education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Our School of Nursing offers accredited programs, including BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificates in Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner specialties. Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and CCNE accredited, we prepare future leaders in healthcare.

    • Accreditation
    • Dean
    • Administration
    • Nursing Simulation Lab and High-Fidelity Manikins
    • Faculty
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Academic Programs
    ▼
    Academic Programs Square placeholder image 300px
    Academic Programs

    Explore comprehensive nursing programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). With online, campus, and hybrid options, these accredited programs provide the knowledge and skills to excel in patient care, critical thinking, and advanced nursing practice.

    • Undergraduate Application Process
    • Graduate Application Process
  • Student Success Network
    ▼
    Student Success Network
    Student Success Network

    The UTRGV School of Nursing Student Success Network supports nursing students through mentorship, academic coaching, and experiential learning. Led by Dean Dr. Lilia Fuentes, the program enhances student resilience, career readiness, and professional growth. Key faculty members, including Dr. Eloisa Tamez and Dr. Roda Galang, provide dedicated academic guidance and mentorship.

    • Academic Coaching
    • Nursing Mentor Program
    • Social and Community Engagement
    • Student Success Network Testimonials
  • Resources
    ▼
    Resources Square placeholder image 300px
    Resources

    Access essential nursing resources for UTRGV students and faculty, including study materials, clinical guidelines, certification requirements, academic support, and faculty tools. Stay updated with the latest nursing program information, exam prep resources, and career development support to enhance nursing education and teaching at UTRGV.

    • Faculty Resources
    • Scholarships
    • Student Resources
    • Nursing Organizations
  • News and Events
UTRGV logo
Graduate Program Overview

Learn about the different programs available to students.
Master of Science in Nursing Graduate Certificates (Post Master's) (Psychiatric/Mental Health) Nursing Practice (DNP)
  1. Home
  2. Academic Programs
  3. Graduate Program Overview
In This Section
Menu

Graduate Program Overview Menu

  • Program Coordinators
  • Graduate Program FAQs
  • Information Sessions
  • Student Policies

Contact Us

Brownsville Office:
Life and Health Science Bldg (BLHSB) 2.720
956-882-5070
Fax: 956-882-6827

Edinburg Office:
Health Affairs Building East (EHABE) 2.201
956-665-3491
Fax: 956-665-5253

Education Verification Forms: Elizabeth Salinas
Program Coordinator-Student Services
Graduate or DNP Program requests.
elizabeth.r.salinas@utrgv.edu
956-665-8906

Lourdes Sanchez, BAAS-IS
Program Coordinator-Student Services
Undergraduate Program requests.
lourdes.sanchez@utrgv.edu
956-882-5070

(Graduates must complete their section of the form before submitting. Provide your UTRGV Student ID# in your email.)

General Information and Program Inquiries: Maria Pilar Pedraza, BS
Administrative Assistant
maria.pedraza@utrgv.edu
956-665-2194

Karina Gutierrez
Program Specialist-Student Services
karina.gutierrez@utrgv.edu
956-882-5072

Carmen Vela, BS
Program Specialist-Student Services
carmen.vela@utrgv.edu
956-665-2204

Graduate Programs: Elizabeth Salinas
Program Coordinator-Student Services
MSN-FNP, Post Master's PMHNP and FNP Certificates, MSN-Education, MSN-Administration and DNP
elizabeth.r.salinas@utrgv.edu
956-665-8906

Undergraduate Programs: Lourdes Sanchez, BAAS-IS
Program Coordinator-Student Services
BSN Generic, 2nd Degree and RN to BSN
lourdes.sanchez@utrgv.edu
956-882-5070


The School of Nursing Graduate Programs are designed to prepare nurses to use an expanded skill, theory, research, and knowledge base in advanced roles within various settings. The programs emphasize the preparation of students to meet the dynamic needs of the international, multicultural, and multilingual society in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. 

Graduate program outcomes:

  • Function as a scholar with critical thinking skills supported by theories from the behavioral, physical, and nursing sciences.
  • Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership in the application of client care interventions incorporating informatics and health care technology to improve population health care outcomes
  • Collaborate as a member of an interprofessional health care team to advocate for safe and effective client care being cognizant of cultural, societal, economic, political , ethical, and legal issues.
  • Promote quality improvement in the provision of culturally competent care to diverse populations through integration of health policy, planned programs, education and advocacy.
  • Integrate scholarship and research into masters-level practice that is grounded in the sciences and humanities.
  • UTRGV SON offers the following graduate programs:

    • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner
    • Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health
    • The Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
    • Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Documents

Student Clinical Request form

Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty Role Objectives:

  1. Apply theories, research and conceptual models from nursing and related disciplines to facilitate best practice and clinical decision-making in primary care across the lifespan. 
  2. Integrate the use of communication skills, information systems, technology and systematic reviews in relation to client management across the lifespan. 
  3. Develop collaborative and interdisciplinary relationships and partnerships that are critical in best-practice health care environments for patients/clients and their families. 
  4. Demonstrate leadership, ethical decision-making and safe practice in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and evaluation of health care delivery across the lifespan. 
  5. Provide leadership in human resources development, education, and management to improve nursing care across diverse populations.

Doctor of Nursing Role Objectives:

  • Assess, analyze, evaluate, and manage complex health environments serving diverse populations to improve patient and population health outcomes;   
  • Apply clinical scholarship and available evidence to make clinical and system decisions incorporating professional values and ethical principles;   
  • Support and improve patient care and health care systems using clinical practice models, health policy, informatics, and organizational leadership skills;    
  • Advocate for clinical prevention, population health initiatives, and evidence-based health policy through interprofessional and stakeholder collaboration.

  • Function as a scholar with critical thinking skills supported by theories from the behavioral, physical, and nursing sciences.  
  • Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership in the application of client care interventions incorporating informatics and health care technology to improve population health care outcomes.  
  • Collaborate as a member of an interprofessional health care team to advocate for safe and effective client care being cognizant of cultural, societal, economic, political, ethical, and legal issues.  
  • Promote quality improvement in the provision of culturally competent care to diverse populations through the integration of health policy, planned programs, education, and advocacy.   
  • Synthesize research-based evidence to create implement, evaluate, translate, and disseminate into practice.  

The conceptual framework of the UTRGV School of Nursing curriculum contributes to the development of the course content to advance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of all its graduates. Grounded on the SON philosophy and mission, the curriculum is centered on the belief that the role of the nurse is to assist the person/family/community in developing their full potential to enhance wellness, prevent illness, promote self-care for optimal health, or cope with dying and death. In accordance with professional nursing standards and evidence-based guidelines for practice, the SON degree programs emphasize the preparation of students to meet the dynamic needs of the international, multicultural, and multilingual society of the Rio Grande Valley.  

There are eight major concepts related to the central belief integrated throughout the nursing curriculum at UTRGV. These concepts are: 

  • The individual as a holistic being (People) 
  • Society as multicultural and diversity (People, Campus Life) 
  • Wellness and illness as a continuum (Health Education & Patient Care) 
  • Nursing as a critical thinking, problem-solving process (Academic Excellence) 
  • Research and evidence-based practice (Research & Scholarship) 
  • Inter-Professional Practice (Health Education & Patient Care; Community Engagement & Integration) 
  • Education as a facilitator of change (Student Access & Success) 
  • Leadership (People; Community Engagement & Integration) 

School of Nursing


Brownsville

BLHSB 2.720
Phone: 956-882-5072
Fax: 956-882-6827

Edinburg

EHABE 2.201
Phone: 956-665-3491
Fax: 956-665-5253 

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST

Find us on Social Media


LIKE. FOLLOW.


UTRGV
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Required Links
  • Accreditation Statement
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct
  • Contact UTRGV
  • 1-844-ATUTRGV
  • Facebook
  • X Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Cost and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Search Programs
  • First-Year Students
  • Transfer
  • International Students
  • Graduate Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty Resources
  • Staff Resources
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Visit Campus
  • Directory
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley