MSN Nurse Midwifery

Philosophy

We, the faculty of the TTUHSC Nurse-Midwifery Program, affirm the dignity, individuality, and diversity of students and acknowledge their importance in shaping the future of women’s health care in their local, national, and global communities.

We believe the following:

• Learners enter the TTUHSC Nurse-Midwifery Program as professional clinicians with demonstrated experiences and knowledge capabilities. They have a right to self-determination, active participation, and access to accurate information. Building on this foundation, learners progress to understanding nurse-midwifery knowledge and science, followed by developing competence by applying that knowledge through skill performance and clinical reasoning.
• Learning is a lifelong process of scholarly educational endeavors that are characterized by excellence, accountability, and integrity. This quality learning is most effective when research is translated into evidence-based practice in evolving health care systems.
• Teaching encompasses the responsibilities of determining an acceptable level of (a) formal and tacit knowledge; (b) psychomotor and behavioral skills, and (3) professional and ethical comportment. All teaching and learning is influenced by the interconnectedness of the student/teacher relationship, transforming both. Transparency through open communication and respect is at the core of our student/teacher interactions.
• Nurse-midwifery educators are first accomplished clinicians who affirm the power and strength of women. They enhance the quality of their teaching through additional pursuits of educational and leadership development.
• All women deserve quality, woman-centered, evidence-based, interprofessional health care where the woman is the central focus of the team activities within the family unit context. We promote a model of care that honors the normalcy of women’s lifecycle events and encourages a compassionate partnership.

Mission

The purpose of the TTUHSC Nurse-Midwifery Program is to educate nurse-midwives for improving women’s health across the reproductive life cycle and beyond through scholarship, interprofessional teamwork, woman-centered care, professional service, and community engagement.

Student Learning Outcomes (Program Objectives)

• Provide woman-centered care in the master’s-prepared nurse-midwifery role.
• Work in interprofessional teams to address the needs of women and their newborns using master’s prepared nurse-midwifery role skills.
• Employ evidence-based practice (EBP) by integrating the best research evidence into the master’s-prepared nurse-midwifery role.
• Apply quality improvement as a master’s-prepared nurse-midwife.
• Utilize informatics in the master’s prepared nurse-midwifery role to reduce errors, manage knowledge and information, make decisions, and communicate effectively.
• Integrate best practices in implementation of the master’s prepared nurse-midwifery role to ensure safety and risk reduction for their populations.

The School of Nursing faculty members are committed to selecting and advancing nurses able to provide leadership for the nation's healthcare systems now and in the future. We seek highly motivated students who are committed to the nursing profession and desire to expand their clinical and leadership skills. The application process is your opportunity to present your personal and professional strengths and showcase why you should be selected for the graduate program. Please read the following tips closely as they will guide you to prepare and submit the best application possible.

Show Your Involvement

Involvement in professional organizations is a hallmark of an aspiring nurse leader. Be sure your application clearly shows membership and activities in professional nursing organizations and community involvement. 

Get Personal

The personal statement and track-specific questions provide the review committee with important information about you, your background, your professional goals, and your ability to be successful in graduate studies. Clearly and concisely cover the content requested in all sections of the application. The importance of correct sentence structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation cannot be overemphasized. Track-specific essay questions are designed to reflect your understanding of your chosen specialty area. Researching professional specialty organizations’ websites and discussions with professionals in the field will enhance your ability to write a knowledgeable response.

Demonstrate Growth

• The review committee looks for ways you have demonstrated growth as a professional nurse and nursing leader, which may include:
  • Being appointed or elected to serve on committees within your organization.
    Achieving certification in your specialty area.
  • Being promoted beyond an entry-level position, or taking other opportunities to advance your leadership skills within your organization or within professional organizations.
  • Participation in research activities. These can be within your undergraduate program or within your organization, such as data collection or QI projects.
  • Poster or podium presentations within your organization and/or at local, state, regional, or national conferences.
  • Publications in organizational newsletters or professional journals.
• For applicants who are just completing their first nursing degree, advancement in leadership skills may be demonstrated through involvement and leadership in nursing school activities or through activities from other jobs or in volunteer organizations.

Show Your References

References provide a strong indication of your leadership potential, problem solving abilities, and clinical practice. Choose wisely and guide them to stress these areas. References from people who are already in your aspiring specialty are highly desirable.

Nail the Basics

Read the instructions for the application process very carefully. Be sure you apply to the correct program and track. Be sure all required application materials are received by the deadline date and that the application is entirely complete and submitted by the deadline.

• Make or use a checklist of all of the materials needed for the application and note the dates you submit the materials in order to ensure you have submitted all required materials.
• Request your official transcripts and letters of recommendation early to be sure required materials are received before the application deadline.
• Be sure to complete the application process! Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the submission page and click on the Submit button.

If you are turning in an affidavit for vaccination exemption, you must hand deliver or mail the original affidavit to Office of Institutional Health.  State law requires Student Health has the original in possession.  While TTUHSC accepts this affidavit for vaccination exemption, please be aware that clinical practice sites may not accept these affidavits for vaccination exemptions (medical exemptions are accepted) resulting in an inability to complete clinical rotations unless in compliance.  Students should be aware that this could delay or prevent clinical site placement and/or graduation.

Please review the required immunizations for your program by going to the TTUHSC Office of Institutional Health’s page and clicking on “Student Pre-Matriculation Forms”.  Completed immunization forms and required documentation should be sent to Tina Martinez at tinsteph@ttuhsc.edu.  

• Graduate Students, Traditional BSN Students (Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, and Odessa) and Accelerated BSN Students (Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Lubbock, Odessa, and San Antonio) – Use the School of Nursing – Undergrad, ABSN, Graduate form.

• Traditional BSN Students (Mansfield) and Accelerated BSN Students (Dallas) – Use the School of Nursing – Mansfield/Dallas Only – Undergrad/ABSN form.

   

All copies of immunization records, lab reports, and/or health records must be provided prior to the start of the program. Students will not be allowed to register in courses until all records are received and approved by the Office of Institutional Health. The successful completion of the clinical component of your program is essential for graduation. As a result, students will not be able to complete program requirements for graduation without completing the clinical requirement.