NEW STUDENT SPACES

Nursing building expansion to accommodate rising enrollment

In November 2019, the Board of Regents allocated $35 million for the addition and partial renovation of the Braithwaite Building for the School of Nursing, which comprises 25% of the university’s enrollment. This expansion will increase the simulation and skill lab spaces and the number of student spaces, allowing the school to accommodate a larger number of students as the program continues to grow. ¶ “We are very grateful for the support provided for this addition,” says Dr. Barbara Haas, School of Nursing dean. “The School of Nursing mission statement notes that we are ‘learnercentered,’ and this is evident in the priorities in this building design. Every decision first considered the student experience and perspective. We are so excited for our students to see the beautiful spaces that have been designed to support them as they pursue their nursing degree.”

¶ The first floor of the 47,000-square-foot addition will be dedicated to simulation and skills labs. After the expansion, the school will have more than three times its current capacity for simulation. These spaces will include pods designed for medical surgical acute care, intensive care, pediatrics, mother-baby care and home health. It will expand the number of debriefing rooms, a critical component of simulations, from two to six. Additionally, it will create an open lab where students can practice and prepare for clinicals. The school has plans to eventually use the second floor for collaborative research and community engagement. ¶ UT Tyler offers numerous degree options for those seeking to either begin or enhance their nursing career. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers tracks for entry-level and registered nurses, and includes options for accelerated degree completion. Master of Science in Nursing programs are offered in an online format, providing flexibility to meet the needs and aspirations of working professionals. Two doctoral programs are offered, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice, a clinically focused path, and the Nursing PhD, a research trajectory. — EN