This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uta.edu/.

College of Nursing and Health Innovation

http://www.uta.edu/conhi/

Mission and Philosophy

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation is an integral component of The University of Texas at Arlington and subscribes to the mission of the University. The College of Nursing and Health Innovation prepares quality health care providers through excellence in education, scholarship, and service. The academic programs in Nursing, Kinesiology, and related studies prepare individuals for professional roles in health care, health sciences, and health-related professions.  In addition, these programs prepare individuals for collaboration with other professionals and consumers in the delivery of holistic health care, health-related research, exercise science and advocacy for the improvement of health outcomes.

The faculty believes that learning is a continuous lifelong process and a personal responsibility. Students must be actively involved in the learning process to acquire clinical, technical, and academic proficiency and to be socialized into professional roles. Learning experiences are implemented to achieve sequence, continuity and synthesis of knowledge and expertise as defined by the educational outcomes. Teaching and learning are dynamic processes involving curriculum evaluation and revision based on research evidence, the needs of a multicultural society, and the changing health care system. The educational process facilitates the development of each person's potential and promotes cultural competence and assimilation of ethical principles.

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation believes in collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders that include education, community and health care organizations, other research institutions, as well as individuals who are impacted by each of the undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Feedback from the community is used to strengthen the programs and ensure that the graduates are regarded as employees of choice. Innovation and positive change are outcomes of strong collaboration between the college and its alumni and other constituents.

Faculty and students foster an educational climate of mutual respect, honesty, intellectual inquiry, creativity, and effective communication. We contribute to the development of our professions through the conduct of research and the dissemination and application of evidence-based knowledge. Faculty and students provide service to the community through clinical practice, education,  and leadership.  

Undergraduate nursing education builds on a foundation of studies in the sciences, humanities, and arts. The baccalaureate program prepares competent, self-directed generalist nurses (Registered Nurses) who can assume increasing responsibility and leadership in the delivery of evidence-based nursing care.

Master’s Nursing education builds on a foundation of undergraduate nursing education and provides specialty practice with an expanded theoretical and empirical knowledge base. The Master of Science in nursing programs prepare Registered Nurses for advanced practice roles that require increased accountability, expertise, and leadership. Graduates are prepared to provide evidence-based health care in collaboration with other health care providers and consumers. Administration graduates are prepared to lead and manage care in a variety of health care settings. Education graduates are prepared to teach in schools of nursing and health care organizations.

Doctoral education develops and advances empirical knowledge to promote evidence-based practice in the discipline of nursing. Research-focused graduates have a background to develop theories and conduct research with vulnerable populations and to assume academic, research, and leadership roles. The research doctorate provides a basis for future research programs and other scholarly activities. Practice-focused graduates have a background to develop and lead patient-centered delivery systems, conduct clinical research projects, and assume professional leadership roles. The practice doctorate provides a basis to translate research findings into practice for future population focused quality improvement and other evidence-based activities. 

The Department of Kinesiology is committed to providing quality educational programs that emphasize scientific theory, hands-on learning in the laboratory setting and real-world application through clinical internships and other field-based experiences. The faculty's teaching experience and research expertise provide rich learning experiences across all of the department's academic programs.

History and Overview

The UT Arlington College of Nursing was established in 1971 as the U.T. System College of Nursing in Fort Worth and was housed in John Peter Smith Hospital. The first baccalaureate class enrolled in fall of 1972; the graduate program (MSN) began in 1975. In 1976, the school became an academic unit of UT Arlington, moving to the campus in 1977.  Degree program offerings continued to expand to include a PhD in Nursing in fall 2003.  In fall of 2014, the Department of Kinesiology was combined with the College of Nursing to create the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

The Undergraduate Nursing Program consists of the BSN and the RN to BSN programs. In addition to the Arlington campus, these programs are offered online through the UT Arlington Academic Partnership program. The Graduate Program offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with preparation as a nurse practitioner in the areas of Acute Care Adult Gerontology, Acute Care Pediatric, Adult Gerontology Primary Care (previously Adult and Gerontology), Family, Neonatal, Primary Care Pediatric and Family Psychiatric-Mental Health. Post-master’s certificates are available in all the above nurse practitioner specialties. In addition, the UT Arlington MSN Program offers preparation in Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner options in an online accelerated format.  An RN to MSN option is also available in an accelerated online format in Nursing Education, Nursing Administration and Family Nurse Practitioner.  Post baccalaureate certificates are offered in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education.  Post Master's Certificates options are available in all Nurse Practitioner tracks and in Nursing Administration.  Many of the Post Master's Certificates are also available in the accelerated online format.  PhD in Nursing was approved in April 2003 with classes beginning in Fall 2003. A BSN-to-PhD entry option was approved in 2005, with classes beginning in Fall 2006. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) began in Fall 2009.

The undergraduate programs within the Department of Kinesiology are organized into four areas: exercise science, physical education teacher education, sport leadership & management and public health.  The graduate programs include a Graduate Certificate in Public Health, a Master of Science in Exercise Science, a Master of Science in Athletic Training and a PhD in Kinesiology.  Each of these academic programs provide students with a strong foundation in the sciences of their respective fields and provides a comprehensive discipline-specific program of study designed to prepare students for a specific career path. Some of the degree options work towards meeting the prerequisite requirements for admission to physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician's assistant graduate programs, as well as medical and dental schools (e.g., BS in Exercise Science - Clinical Health Professions).  Other degree plans prepare students for state and national certification/licensure (e.g., Physical Education Teacher Education and Athletic Training) programs. The Public Health programs prepare students for careers in public health, as well as preparation for advanced degrees in public health. The PhD in Kinesiology prepares students for careers in research, academic and related industry settings.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and governed by the Texas Board of Nursing. The CCNE address is One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120; Phone is (202) 887-6791 and fax is (202) 887-8476; and Website: www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation. There are no accrediting agencies for PhD in Nursing programs.

The Kinesiology Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).  CAATE ensures that accredited institutions and education programs that offer athletic training meet the rigorous standards for professional athletic training education and encourages continuous enhancement in the quality of preparing athletic trainers.

Scholastic Activities and Research Interests of the Faculty

The research programs of the College of Nursing faculty are diverse. A sampling of their areas of study includes oncology, Hispanic health care, leadership in nursing education, technology in the care of older adults, simulation and technology in health professional education, exercise interventions to mitigate heart disease, inter-professional collaborations education, statistical models, gerontology, bone and muscle disease and heart disease.

Research programs of the Department of Kinesiology are also diverse.  Faculty research interests and publications in the Department of Kinesiology include adapted sports, sports pedagogy, applied biomechanics, motor development, cardiovascular physiology, autonomic function, environmental physiology, cardiac function, pulmonary responses to exercise, postural control in the elderly, dynamic regulation of blood pressure, assessment and management of sports-related concussions, the effects of therapeutic modalities on the treatment of athletic injuries, and the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the treatment of diseases.

Special Programs and Opportunities

Smart HospitalTM

Assistant Dean: Jennifer Roye

The Smart HospitalTM is a simulated hospital environment complete with state-of-the-science equipment and furnishings. In this facility, students interact with and provide care to a full array of simulated patients who occupy the Emergency Department, ICU, Labor and Delivery suite, pediatric unit, Neonatal ICU, adult medical/surgical beds and the resuscitation room for large team training. Students learn utilizing simulation technology including full body interactive patient simulators, computerized scenario-based programs and individual trainers for specific skills.

The "patients" who populate our Smart Hospital are life-sized computerized manikins that actually interact with the learners. Patients include infants, children, adults, and even a mother in labor who goes through the labor process and delivers a newborn. Some manikins are static but others are interactive and responsive-they can speak and breathe, have heart sounds and lung sounds, and can progress through the various stages of numerous clinical states from birth through death. In addition, we have specially trained actors who can serve as patients or family members in clinical teaching scenes. In each clinical scenario, the students are exposed to situations and changes in patient conditions, both subtle and obvious, that they will experience in actual practice. With repeated exposure to these situations, students develop a deeper understanding of clinical conditions and become more adept at critical and clinical thinking. With this foundation, our students move more quickly from novice to expert and in so doing enhance the quality of patient care they provide.

Center for Research and Scholarship

Associate Dean: Dr. Paul J. Fadel

Scholarship is an essential component of the professional role in the College of Nursing. The Center provides support services to faculty and students: identifying funding sources; developing competitive proposals; writing grant applications; retrieving literature; collecting, entering and analyzing data; and disseminating research results and other scholarly products. Collaborative relationships for research with Metroplex health care agencies are in place.

Center for Hispanic Studies in Nursing and Health

Program Director: Dr. Paul Krawietz

The Center is dedicated to fostering an understanding between health care professionals and people of Hispanic origin for the purpose of increasing understanding of health and healing through research of individual experience, cultural meanings, and the structure of institutions as important variables influencing health outcomes. The Center is also committed to the provision of educational programs and services which will assist health care providers to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver increasingly culturally sensitive and competent care. The Center promotes interdisciplinary and interuniversity collaboration as a strategy for development of resources to solve or deal with bi-cultural issues facing health care professionals.

Rural Health Outreach Program

The purpose of the Center is to provide appropriate, affordable, accessible continuing education to the nursing staffs of acute care and psychiatric hospitals, long term care facilities, home health agencies, and other health care facilities in the rural communities of North Central Texas.

Center for Healthy Living and Longevity

Associate Dean: Dr. David Keller

The Department of Kinesiology's Center for Healthy Living and Longevity provides a multidisciplinary approach to improving health and functioning throughout the lifespan. Research and education initiatives focus on keeping senior citizens active, decreasing the incidence of sedentary-related diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, obesity, etc.), and the assessment and management of concussions. Contact: Dr. Christopher Ray, kellerd@uta.edu.

Programs

Bachelor Degree

Master’s Degrees

Doctoral Degrees

Certificates