Contact Us
SCHOOL OF NURSING
Brownsville Office:
Life and Health Science Bldg (LHSB) 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
General Information and Program Inquiries:
Maria Pilar Pedraza, BS
Administrative Assistant I SON Office
956-665-2194
Karina Gutierrez
Program Specialist-Student Services
(956) 882-5072
Carmen Vela, BS
Program Specialist-Student Services
956-665-2204
Graduate Programs:
MSN-FNP, Post Master's PMHNP and FNP
Certificates, MSN-Education, MSN-Administration and DNP
Meagan Banks, BS
Program Coordinator-Student Services
956-665-3499
Undergraduate Programs:
BSN Generic, 2nd Degree BSN, and RN to BSN
Alma Castillo
Program Coordinator-Student Services
956-665-7082
OR
Lourdes Sanchez, BAAS-IS
Program Coordinator-Student Services
956-882-5070
Information for Newly Admitted BSN Generic and 2nd Degree Students
This is information only for those students who have received an email/letter directly from the UTRGV School of Nursing about your admission to the School of Nursing.
***This information does not pertain to pre-nursing students or those students who have not completed all their prerequisites and have not completed their application to the UTRGV School of Nursing and have not received a letter of admission from the UTRGV School of Nursing.
As a newly admitted student, you have several steps that need to take place between now and when you start your nursing classes.
Your admission in the program is contingent on providing the nursing office with the required information as listed below. Please read and comply with the following directions, paying close attention to due dates and times:
'Place an order for a Compliance Tracker at the following website. https://utrgv.castlebranch.com There is a one-time $30 fee for the tracker. The following information will need to be submitted via CastleBranch 30 days prior your date of admission (first day of classes).
Copy of immunization record to include evidence of the following:
- Absence of active pulmonary disease (negative PPD skin test or negative chest x-ray results).
- Hepatitis B vaccine (a series of 3 injections at 0, 1, & 6 months)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus (DT) booster every 10 years
- Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (TDaP) vaccine; recommended for people 19+ years of age.
- Varicella status – either a signed statement from a health professional verifying immunity status (via serologic test) or immunization(s) (x 2; 4-8 weeks apart)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccination. MMR x 2 if born after January 1, 1957.
- The annual flu/influenza vaccine, including lot number is required August thru July. New seasonal flu vaccinations must be taken before classes start in August. If the new seasonal flu vaccination is not available at the time you are completing the CastleBranch upload requirements, you will need to receive your flu/influenza vaccine before you start your classes and upload it to CastleBranch at that time.
- Covid Vaccine: Although it is not a UTRGV requirement to have a Covid Vaccine, you may need to have the vaccine to meet the requirements of the health care facility where you will be conducting your clinicals. Most clinical sites require the COVID vaccine and boosters to participate in clinical activities.
- Proof of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), health care provider adult & child, through American Heart Association. NOTE: Online Certification is not acceptable.
- Copy (front & back) of the Texas Board of Nursing’s (TBON) blue postcard, Completed Criminal Background Clearance Check. Wait for the information from Texas Board of Nursing regarding this requirement.
NOTE: Unless you have officially been cleared by TBON, you cannot be admitted into the BSN program.
You will also need to:
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Maintain at least $1 million in professional liability insurance (you will automatically be billed for “blanket” malpractice student insurance coverage through student fees.)
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Attend Mandatory BSN Program Orientation: Date to be announced later.
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Take the ATI Mandatory standardized Critical Thinking Assessment Test. You will receive notification of date and location for testing via Blackboard.
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Complete online Mandatory School of Nursing Clinical Orientation. You will receive notification of the availability of the course via Blackboard.
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Pass the Mandatory Math Quiz via Blackboard with a score of 100. You will receive notification of the availability of Math Quiz via Blackboard.
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You will be notified when cleared to register for the following courses:
Nursing 3101 Essentials of Nursing Profession
Nursing 3202 Wellness & Health Promotion Across the Lifespan
Nursing 3303 Fundamentals of Nursing
Nursing 3304 Fundamentals of Nursing Clinicals/Lab
Nursing 3305 Client Assessment
Nursing 3105 Client Assessment Lab/Skills
Please keep checking your UTRGV email and announcements for further information. If you have questions or need further information, please feel free to call at 956-665-3491 or email schoolofnursing@utrgv.edu We look forward to seeing you soon!
