Page 6 - Nac & SFA February 2015

DeWitt School Of Nursing
Equipped With Quality

Success Story & Photos
A Dose of

By Kasi Dickerson

Where an abandoned warehouse once “When they graduate from a Bachelor of Science in
stood now serves as home to what has been called Nursing (BSN) program they can work anywhere so
“the best kept secret in Texas;” Stephen F. Austin it makes you very well rounded,” Bishop said. “Our
State University’s Richard and Lucille DeWitt School graduation rates are traditionally high. We have
of Nursing. gotten some awards from the state for having both
high NCLEX and graduation rates.”
In 2010, the School of Nursing (SON) relocated to
a site on North Street off SFA’s main campus. Dr. Bishop attests to the faculty’s dedication to helping
Sara Bishop, interim director, explains Mr. and Mrs. admitted students graduate.
DeWitt donated the land to the university for the
purpose of creating a nursing building. “The faculty work really hard to have the students
meet their goals,” Bishop said. “The faculty is dedicated
“We’ve been out here five years now. It’s home,” to the students. Most faculty give the students their
Bishop said. “We are so blessed to have this building.” cell phone numbers if they need to call them about
clinicals or call them with something. We really do
This 41,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility has have their best interests in heart.”
three wings and four classrooms, which can seat up to
100 students each. The SON admits up to 80 students SFA’s SON consistently receives NCLEX test rates
twice a year. Bishop remembers when she f rst started higher than the state and national averages. Graduates
teaching at SFA the program could only admit 30 must pass this state board test in order to practice
students and the program was located in the math and as a registered nurse. High pass rates affect program
science building on one f oor. accreditation and Board of Nursing program approval,
according to Bishop.
“We were so full,” Bishop said. “We have grown a lot
thanks to Mrs. DeWitt’s generosity.” “SFA is becoming more well known. Students think
of the big schools, but our board rates our comparable
Students can use the Common Application System to those schools,” Bishop said. “I think what makes us
(CAS) to apply online. Students are engaged in unique is we are really good and we are more personal
classroom work and clinicals as they work toward and smaller.”
their bachelor’s of nursing.

6 FEBRUARY 2015 FEATURE