Questions Prospective Students
Ask About Nursing

• Because we are an upper division-nursing program, we do not accept applications until a college student has completed 42 of the required 62 prerequisite hours at an accredited college or university.
• You can apply for admission once you have completed 42 hours, if you will complete the total prerequisites by the time you  begin the nursing program. (If the total hours are not completed at the time classes begin, with an adequate GPA, you will not be enrolled in the program.)
• History and government courses are legislatively mandated graduation requirements in Texas for completion of the program.
• Our current GPA requirements are overall college GPA of 2.5 and prerequisite GPA of 2.5. We do not look at high school records.
• Currently admissions are very competitive (450-500 applicants for 120 positions in each admitted class).
• Ranking for admission is based on the required grade point average and other preadmission requirements (such as, testing, interviews, etc). Most recently, 3.0 and above has been a competitive grade point average for admission.

• Applications and transcripts are due by January 10 (for Fall (August)) and July 1 (for Spring (January)) admission. 

What will nursing school cost?

• The tuition for 2008-2009 is $164.96 per semester-hour.
• Non-resident tuition is $503.92 per semester-hour for Undergraduate Programs and $515.42 per semester-hour for Graduate Programs
• Nursing excess hours will be charged at the non-resident rate (>147 hours).
• Currently fees and books are approximately $3,000 for the entire program.
• Costs are subject to change due to economic or legislative action in the interim.

• Application for financial aid for prerequisite courses is to be made through the Financial Aid Office at the institution where the courses are taken.
• The first step in being considered for scholarships or financial aid as an entering student is to complete the FAFSA form which can be found on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. You should file that application at the same time that you are applying for admission so your data will be available for scholarship consideration after you are admitted . Once you are accepted, you will receive a scholarship application for your 1st semester here.  The funds are distributed based on your application for financial aid (FAFSA) and your application for admission (grade point average).
• You may also pursue scholarships & financial aid from external agencies. Local hospitals and agencies may offer tuition assistance to employees and scholarships to students who will promise payback time to the facility after graduation.

• R.N. is a legal license to practice as a nurse, regulated by the State Board of Nursing, not an education level. To be an R.N. you must graduate from an accreditated nursing program and pass the State R.N. licensing exam.
• A factor to consider in choosing a Nursing School is the NCLEX (licensing exam) pass rate. This is an indicator of how well prepared students are by their education to obtain the RN license on their first examination attempt. This School of Nursing has a pass rate higher than the national average.
• The school you choose will depend on your personal goals for nursing practice and the level of education you need to attain to meet those goals.
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing offers a baccalaureate (BSN) program which qualifies you to take the NCLEX (State Board RN Licensure Exam) to become a Registered Nurse (R.N.). (Completing any accredited nursing program will allow you to take this exam.)
  • A baccalaureate degree (BSN) provides a basic foundation of liberal arts education as well as a solid physical and biological sciences background upon which to build nursing theory and principles, ultimately providing a strong integrated knowledge base for both the art and science of nursing.
  • Military nursing requires BSN preparation for R.N.s.
  • A BSN degree is the ground level for the advanced practice and clinical expertise needed in today's health care delivery system. Other programs, while preparing for success on the NCLEX exam, do not provide the base of a four-year degreed education (BSN).
  • Students in a BSN program receive clinical experience in all areas of nursing and are eligible to apply for an R.N. position in any of these areas (hospitals, clinics and community sites) following graduation.

• The nation is experiencing a critical nursing shortage. Therefore, employment markets are very competitive.
• Most hospitals are paying $35,000-$40,000 to new R.N. graduates. This is based on shifts, agency, geography, and clinical area of choice.
• Most agencies have orientation, preceptorships, and internships for those graduates who will (or have already) contract to work with them after graduation.
• While in school, one may take elective nursing courses in specialized nursing roles (emergency, operating room, intensive care, geriatrics, and teen pregnancy). These help you to develop an orientation toward advanced practice in a nursing specialty.
• During the last two semesters in nursing school, students are provided with career guidance and opportunities to meet with prospective employers

• Anyone is welcome to come to an Open House offered 3 times a year on the third Thursday of October, February and June, beginning at 2:00 p.m. here at the School. The Information Session lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours- Discussion of the BSN and graduate programs are provided as well as a tour of the School. You may also contact the Office for Students if you wish to attend at 210-567-5805 or if you have questions.  Admission Information

• The School of Nursing does not have a waiting list.
• Students are chosen from the current qualified applicant pool, each semester.
• If an applicant is not accepted for admission, the person may re-apply for subsequent semester consideration. This way, all applicants have equal consideration each semester.