TAMIU Online FNP Graduates Ace National Exam with 100% Passing
Graduates of Texas A&M International University’s College of Nursing and Health Science Online Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) master degree program have made history.
On their first attempt, all nine FNP graduates who completed the TAMIU program passed the rigorous exam for national certification.
TAMIU Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and its Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing Dr. Marivic Torregosa said the graduates’ exam performance is especially noteworthy as the program recently transitioned to online delivery. This prompted a strategic and measured approach for successful delivery.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with our graduates’ performance. When we transitioned from face-to-face to online delivery, we invested in considerable research and study to make sure students would not feel disconnected from campus...especially from their faculty and peers. We conducted student orientations to drive awareness of the resources available and our faculty held live virtual hours to provide real-time interaction.
“It’s important to note that FNP students are busy practicing nurses who work on shifts, so we deployed a texting system to communicate with them. Courses were converted into an online format and vetted through TAMIU’s Quality Matters assurance program so that course objectives, content, and assessment/evaluation were all aligned.
“We also successfully secured a grant to purchase web-based instructional materials to enhance learning and student success. We used standardized tests to evaluate student comprehension and identify areas of weakness to enhance national certification exam readiness. Finally, stipends and scholarship monies were provided to students maintaining good program standing to offset costs of their graduate education,” Dr. Torregosa explained.
She said the investment in online program delivery brings distinct advantages for working graduate students.
“The online program provides our busy nurses greater accessibility and opportunities for higher education. With the nursing demand, some nurses are juggling full-time and part-time jobs. Some are also taking traveling nursing assignments. The online FNP program can strategically fit the working schedule of this student population,” Torregosa said.
The TAMIU Online FNP program can be completed in 2 ½ years or 3 years, depending on the semester that students enter the program. Complete admission requirements are available here.
Torregosa encouraged nurses to explore their opportunities for professional growth with TAMIU.
“We know that the demand for FNPs will continue to grow with the current shortage of primary care providers. FNPs are here to address and fill that huge gap. Other growth opportunities are also available, and we enjoy helping nurses to explore them,” she concluded.
For more about TAMIU’s Nursing programs, visit https://www.tamiu.edu/conhs or call 956.326.2574.
For additional University information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing, and Information Services at 956.326.2180 or email prmis@tamiu.edu.
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