Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Opens New Nursing Facility

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) President Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., today (March 1) officially opened a new nursing facility at the TTUHSC campus in Abilene.

The university secured funding to begin construction on the new TTUHSC School of Nursing building in April. Hendrick Health System helped construct the facility at 1674 Pine St.

“The Abilene has always been a strong supporter of TTUHSC, and this new facility is an example of the community’s commitment to health care education,” Mitchell said. “We look forward to continuing the growth of our university in Abilene and further collaboration with this great community to provide quality health care education to students and care to patients in the Big Country.”

In March 2008, the TTUHSC School of Nursing partnered with Hendrick Health System to establish a Web-based second-degree nursing program in Abilene. Students gain clinical experience at Hendrick Medical Center and in local community-based agencies and clinics. The school expanded its traditional bachelor of science in nursing program to Abilene in May 2009.

“The new state-of-the-art School of Nursing building is further proof of TTUHSC’s outstanding growth and progress,” said Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance. “The Abilene community has played an integral role in our institution's continued success, and we are grateful for the continued support and hard work.”

The TTUHSC School of Nursing in Abilene serves as a valuable contribution to the health care field, said Pearl Merritt, Ed.D., R.N., regional dean of the TTUHSC School of Nursing in Abilene. Students come to Abilene from Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and various other areas of Texas to attend TTUHSC, and many choose to stay in Abilene after graduation.

“Abilene is becoming a health care hub that is so crucial to the surrounding communities, and as a dean of the School of Nursing, I feel fortunate to play an important role in making this happen,” Merritt said. “Our new School of Nursing will be a great asset to the community and we strive to give back in various ways.”

There are currently 100 students enrolled in the TTUHSC School of Nursing in Abilene. It is anticipated that the school will have an enrollment of an additional 104 students by 2015. Other programs available to Abilene and area residents are the online RN to BSN program and various graduate programs.

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