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School of Nursing
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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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Applying Frequently Asked Questions

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BSN Program Overview Menu

  • When and How to Apply
  • HESI Requirements and Information
  • How Generic and 2nd Degree BSN Applicants are Ranked
  • NursingCAS
  • BSN Information Sessions
  • Academic Advising and Course Substitution Assistance
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Applying FAQs
    • Newly Admitted FAQs
    • HESI FAQs
    • NursingCAS FAQs
  • Requirements for Conditionally Admitted Generic and 2nd degree BSN Students before Admission
  • Student Policies
  • Program Coordinators
  • BSN Roadmaps
  • Undergraduate Application Process

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


Applying FAQs

Go to Apply Texas and create a new account. 

Follow the instructions under “How and When to Apply”

Applying to the UTRGV School of Nursing requires two applications.

  1. Apply and get accepted to UTRGV via ApplyTexas.org
  2. Apply to the School of Nursing:
    1. TK 20 application system for Generic and RN to BSN program; or
    2. NursingCAS application system for the 2nd Degree BSN program.

Academic Advising resources and services are available to prospective and current students. 

Follow the steps under Academic Advising and Course Substitution Assistance and learn more about the BSN Information Session that can be attended by any prospective or current student (registration not required).

All currently enrolled students seeking their first bachelor’s degree or prospective first-degree-seeking students who have been accepted to UTRGV:

Make an appointment for academic advising at the Academic Advisement Center.

Important:  The Academic Advisement Center does not advise prospective students who have not been accepted to UTRGV or students seeking a second degree.  See below for advising services and resources available to you.

Second-Degree BSN or RN to BSN students or prospective students:

  • Second-degree BSN students are advised by Dr. Jennifer Brewster, 2nd degree BSN Program Coordinator Jennifer.brewster01@utrgv.edu   If you are completing your first degree at UTRGV and plan to apply to the 2nd-degree program, seek advising at the Academic Advisement Center.  Once you are accepted to the 2nd Degree BSN program you may obtain advising from the Academic Advisement Center.
  • RN to BSN students are advised by Ms. Luz Silva, RN to BSN Program Coordinator, luzmaria.silva@utrgv.edu.  Once you apply to UTRGV and are accepted, you can also be advised by the Academic Advising Center.

Important:  All prospective 2nd degree and RN to BSN students must apply to UTRGV and submit their Official Transcripts to UTRGV Undergraduate Admissions for official evaluation.  

Generic BSN students and prospective students:

  • Prospective Generic BSN students who do not have their first degree are advised by the Academic Advisement Center only after acceptance to UTRGV. 

Important:  Prospective Generic BSN students must be accepted to UTRGV, including submitting Official Transcripts to UTRGV Undergraduate Admissions before they can be advised by the Academic Advisement Center.

After acceptance to any BSN Program:

Students are advised by the appropriate Program Coordinator at the School of Nursing and/or they may be advised at the Academic Advisement Center.

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Each program has admissions criteria that explains the minimum GPA and/or grade requirements you need to apply to each nursing program.  See the link below for the program you are interested in.

Undergraduate programs:
-Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Generic (BSN)
-Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)  
-RN to BSN Accelerated Online

Graduate programs:
-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master's Programs:
-Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health 

-Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Doctorate program:
-Doctorate of Nursing Practice

They are called the Undergraduate Admission, Progression & Graduation Committee (UAPG).

All applicants will receive an email that is sent to their The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley email address.  The email will indicate if you were accepted or not accepted into the program. 

Yes.  Applicants must follow the UTRGV Undergraduate Admission guidelines to submit official scores and obtain credit. 

Prerequisites must be taken at UTRGV or another accredited college or university and can be taken either in person or online. For information related to transferring credits and accreditation, see Transfer Admissions and contact Undergraduate Admissions if you have any questions. 

The School of Nursing is unable to provide unofficial transcript evaluations. The UTRGV’s Registrar’s Office conducts official evaluations upon submitting your Official Transcripts when you apply to UTRGV and submit your Official Transcripts. 

If you have a question about a specific prerequisite course you would like to transfer to UTRGV, please review Transfer Admissions Information and contact Undergraduate Admissions if you have any questions. Please review the Transfer Equivalency Guide  to help you evaluate if the course you took may be equivalent to the required prerequisite course. 

  

If a course substitution review is needed by the School of Nursing, review the steps for obtaining Academic Advising and Course Substitution Assistance. 

Yes, the School of Nursing (SON) considers pass and credit, but we do not consider fail or no credit.  The course(s) will not be included in GPA calculations.   To see how UTRGV applies the pass/fail or credit/no credit, see Grades and Transcripts. 

Applicants must complete at least 45 hours out of 63 hours of prerequisite courses with a C grade or higher as per the Application Eligibility in the course catalog.  The application eligibility courses identified  below must be completed before applying. The remaining 18 hours of prerequisite courses must be completed before enrollment (first class day) to be officially admitted into the program after all conditions of acceptance are met. 

  

The 45 semester credit hours must include the following courses and must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better: 

  • BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I 
  • BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II 
  • MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods or MATH 1343 Introduction to Biostatistics 
  • ANTH 2351 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology 
  • CLSC 2429 Clinical Microbiology in Health Care 
  • CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I 
  • CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I Lab 
  • PSYC 2301 General Psychology 
  • PSYC 2314 Developmental Psychology: Lifespan 

  

There may be an opportunity for these credits to be evaluated before the Undergraduate Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee (UAPG) meets to make an admission decision if they are in progress at the time you apply. This courtesy secondary review is not guaranteed.

For more information, see How Applicants are Ranked.  

As per the admissions requirements, all courses must be completed before being officially admitted into the program on the first class day and meeting all conditions of acceptance.  

If an applicant is selected for admission to the program, the committee, at their discretion, may admit a student with a pending course, but this is not guaranteed.   

The Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examination, OR may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration to any individual with lack of fitness to practice by reason of mental or physical health or intemperate use of alcohol or drugs that could potentially result in injury to patients or the public. The Board may also refuse to grant licensure to any individual with a history of conviction. An individual enrolled or planning to enroll in a nursing program who has reason to believe that he/she may be ineligible may petition the Texas BON for a declaratory order for eligibility. 

Contact the Texas Board of Nursing for additional information. The Declaratory process may take six (6) months to one (1) year to complete.

All accepted and alternate candidates/students will undergo a DPS and FBI background check via the BON before their admission to the nursing program is finalized. 
 
A person who feels that he/she might have a background issue is strongly advised to begin the Declaratory Process with the Texas BON as soon as possible. A person does not have to be a current nursing student or an applicant to the nursing program to begin the Declaratory process.

There is no waitlist.  However, after all open slots are filled, an alternate applicant may be selected and offered a conditional admission if a candidate declines acceptance to the program. There is no guarantee that applicants will be selected as alternates, and we do not provide a list of alternates who may be selected. 

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

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