The program is the result of a partnership between South Texas College in McAllen; Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, Texas; South Texas Independent School District; Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District and Region One Education Service Center.
According to a South Texas College press release, the Nursing Dual Enrollment Pilot Program is the “first in the nation to address the growing need for registered nurses by providing a college-level associate degree program to qualified high school students at no cost to their families.”
After approving the pilot, the Texas Board of Nursing provided South Texas College with strict requirements it must meet. The board will also review the pilot’s progress for the next two years and will then determine if additional cohorts will be approved.
Currently, 29 students are taking the entrance exam to qualify for the pilot. A maximum of 24 students who pass the exam will then be selected to start the Nursing Dual Enrollment Pilot Program this fall semester.
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