School of NursingAttending the Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston means you will focus on holistic nursing. This is a form of nursing that engages with a patient’s body, mind and spirit to care for the whole person.

To build an effective relationship with patients and facilitate their healing, nurses need to speak articulately, write clearly, reason well and make good decisions. Those “process skills” are strengthened through the University's core curriculum and in the small classes you’ll find in the nursing program.

UST’s School of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees, with on-campus and online learning opportunities. The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program incorporates UST’s core curriculum, specific pre-nursing courses and courses in the nursing major. This major prepares students for initial RN licensure and entry into the workforce.  Additionally, the second-degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a fast track for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees to earn their BSN in as few as 12 months.

Graduates may become Nurse Practitioners. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for working nurses wanting to advance their nursing career.  UST also offers a Post-APRN or Post-Master’s Certificate for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
Graduate & Undergraduate Success CentersGraduate & Undergraduate Success Centers

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Undergraduate Success Center
Undergraduate Success Center

The Undergraduate Nursing Success Center is a home away from home for undergraduate nursing and pre-nursing students at the UST.

learn moreUndergraduate Success Center
Graduate Nursing Success Center
Graduate Success Center

The Graduate Nursing Success Center is a home away from home for the nursing students at the University of St. Thomas.

learn moreGraduate Success Center
Degrees and ProgramsDegrees and Programs

The BSN degree incorporates:

  • UST’s core curriculum
  • Specific pre-nursing courses
  • Courses in the nursing major

A BSN prepares you for initial RN licensure. You will qualify to take the NCLEX-RN Licensure Exam in order to practice as an entry-level nurse.

learn more - view the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program 

A Minor in Health Services is designed for students who’s vocation is not nursing, but want to obtain the knowledge so they can have a career in healthcare. 

minor plan - Health Services

The 12-month ABSN program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field who want to earn a BSN on an accelerated timeline. It combines:

  • Online coursework
  • Onsite skills labs
  • Clinical rotations

Upon completion of this full-time program, you will qualify to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam in order to practice as an entry-level nurse.

learn more - view the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing progam

The MSN program is tailored for nurses working full-time, with coursework primarily online and supplemented with lab work on the UST campus.

Concentrations offered are:

  1. Nursing Education
  2. Healthcare & Nursing Simulation
  3. Nursing Leadership

Learn more - view the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)program 

UST offers options for a post-APRN certificate for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and post-master’s certificate for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Learn more - Post-APRN and Post-Master’s Certificate for PMHNP
Earning Power for Nursing Careers

Advance your nursing career and increase your earning potential with a degree in nursing from the University of St. Thomas.
$80,010 Registered Nurse Annual Median Salary Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics $80,010 Registered Nurse Annual Median Salary Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
$80,010
Registered Nurse

ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

$114,510 Nurse Practitioner ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics $114,510 Nurse Practitioner ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
$114,510
Nurse Practitioner

ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

$136,409 Psychiatric Mental Health NP Source: Indeed $136,409 Psychiatric Mental Health NP Source: Indeed
$136,409
Psychiatric Mental Health NP

ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY

Source: Indeed
PSON Administration & FacultyPSON Administration & Faculty

Claudine Dufrene, Ph.D, RN-BC, GNP-BC, CNE
Executive Dean, Associate Professor
​Sr. Martina Casey Endowed Chair in Nursing

Kristina L. Leyden, Ph.D, APRN,FNP-BC,CHSE
Undergraduate Nursing Division Dean, Professor
​Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza Endowed Chair in Nursing

Lucindra Campbell-Law, PhD, APRN, ANP, PMHNP-BC
Graduate Nursing Division Dean, Professor
Cullen Trust Endowed Chair for Health Care in Nursing

Kylie Magreger, MSN
Assistant Professor, Interim ABSN Program Director

Michael E. Sullivan, DBe, HEC-C, FACHE, Associate Professor
Program Director/Chair-Graduate Studies
Program Director- Title V
Cameron School of Business
​Program Director- Healthcare Administration(MHA)

Vanessa Arline, MSN/Ed, RN, MSRN-BC, Assistant Professor

Cheryl-Lynn Carson, MSN, BScN, RN, Assistant Professor

Lauren Delumpa, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Assistant Professor

Jessica Granger, MSN, RN, CEN, Visiting Professor

Sarah A. Hirsch, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN, Assistant Professor

Connie Martinez, DNP,WHCNP,RNC, Assistant Professor

Mayra Paredes, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, Assistant Professor

Katherine Simpson, DNP,MSN,APRN-C,CNRN,CVRN-II,LNC, Assistant Professor

Mary Anne Vincent, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor

Phyllis Waters, Ph.D., Professor, Carol and Odis Peavy Endowed Chair in Nursing

Jillian Weber, PhD, RN, CNL Assistant Professor
meet some of our alumni

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Joshua Allbright ’16 RN Director of Behavioral Health US Vets
Joshua Allbright ’16 RN

Director of Behavioral Health US Vets

Samantha Loos-Polk RN Texas Children’s Hospital
Samantha Loos-Polk ’16 RN

Texas Children’s Hospital

Jacqueline Stapleton RN Intensive Care Unit Houston Methodist
Jacqueline Stapleton ’16 RN - Intensive Care Unit

Houston Methodist

Andrea Echeverri RN Memorial Hermann Health System
Andrea Echeverri ’09 RN

Memorial Hermann

Anne Presas RN Texas Children’s Hospital
Anne Presas ’16 RN

Texas Children’s Hospital

Selena Ling RN Houston Methodist
Selena Ling ’16 RN

Houston Methodist

Mariel Machuca RN Ben Taub Hospital
Mariel Machuca ’15 RN

Ben Taub Hospital

Anna Rabadan ’17 RN – Emergency Room Memorial Hermann, School Nurse CFISD
Anna Rabadan ’17 RN – Emergency Room

Memorial Hermann, School Nurse CFISD

Kenya Wright ’19 RN Rehab Nurse & HCA Tomball
Kenya Wright ’19 RN

Rehab Nurse & HCA Tomball

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CCNE Accreditation logoUniversity of St. Thomas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of University of St. Thomas.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, post-graduate APRN certificate program and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of St. Thomas are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).