A&M-Texarkana Launches Family Nurse Practitioner Program in Fall 2023

TEXARKANA, Texas – Texas A&M University-Texarkana has announced the launch of its newest nursing program, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, which will begin in the fall 2023 semester. Applications for the program are now being accepted. The program originated as a part of the university’s Better East Texas Initiative, funded by the 86^th Texas Legislature in 2019.

The program recently received final approval from the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SASCOC) to begin accepting students. The program at Texas A&M University-Texarkana is designed for nurses with either a baccalaureate or master's degree in nursing and will feature an emphasis on rural healthcare. “The addition of our Family Nurse Practitioner program, which focuses on rural healthcare needs and delivery, allows Texas A&M University-Texarkana to continue to meet the healthcare needs of patients in Texarkana and throughout the East Texas region,” said A&M-Texarkana Director of Nursing Dr. Heather McKnight.

“We are thrilled to finally begin this important healthcare program and start accepting students for the upcoming fall semester,” said A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Emily Cutrer. “This program will allow us to provide much needed healthcare professionals throughout the east Texas region, where portions of the population are often underserved with access to quality health care.”

The admission requirements for applicants to the Family Nurse Practitioner program at A&M-Texarkana include:

• A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an institution of higher education that is both accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and either the NLNAC or the CCNE and a minimum of one year experience as Registered Nurse (RN).
• Current, unencumbered registered nurse license to practice in the State of Texas, current compact license, or licensed in the state where practicums will occur (must show active licensure by the end of the first semester). 
• Completed application and fee payment; official transcripts from each institution attended; résumé; letter of interest, commitment, and purpose for pursing a master's degree; and at least two letters of support from supervisors or professional mentors.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate nursing course work.
• Criminal background check.
• Immunizations, CPR certification, negative drug screen, and personal health insurance.

For additional information about the new FNP program visit www.tamut.edu/fnp or email FNP program director Dr. Julie Durand at jdurand@tamut.edu.