About Us
Since its establishment in March of 2022, the UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation’s Center for Rural Health and Nursing has been dedicated to improving access to essential health care professionals and partnering with rural communities to enhance health outcomes.
Building on the strong foundation we’ve established, we continue to advance our mission by expanding educational opportunities, fostering sustainable partnerships, and ensuring that rural communities have a meaningful voice in shaping their health care future. At the heart of our work is a commitment to empowering these communities with knowledge, resources, and support to improve both access and quality of care for years to come.
Mission
The mission of the Center is to improve and promote the health and wellness of Texas’ rural populations through collaborative education, community partnership, and innovative workforce development.
Vision
The vision of the Center is to transform rural healthcare in Texas by building sustainable systems, preparing future-ready health professionals, and investing in rural communities’ long-term health.
Goals
- Expand and strengthen strategies to support rural communities in Texas with healthcare provider shortages by increasing resources and partnerships that sustain local clinical education programs and the hospitals that serve these areas.
- Provide accessible nursing education pathways for rural residents to become Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, allowing them to advance their careers while remaining in their home communities.
- Enhance rural nursing didactic content by:
-
Fostering the Rural Nursing Residency and Professional Development program to support and encourage new nurses beginning and expanding their careers in rural settings.
-
Expanding to have a dedicated Rural Nursing Track within the RN-to-BSN program.
- Continuing to support our students in the Rural Health Certificate Program and encourage them to pursue a career in rural health.
-
Strengthen partnerships with rural Texas communities to improve access to care by expanding the local health professional workforce through:
-
Increasing availability of high-quality continuing education and formal academic credit opportunities.
-
Utilizing innovative educational technologies such as the Mobile Simulation Lab, the Igloo Immersive Training Room, and video-based learning to provide flexible, hands-on training experiences.
-
- Conduct quality improvement initiatives and patient and population health outcomes research focused on rural healthcare delivery, supported by telehealth and video technology, to inform best practices and continually improve care quality.
