SHSU Leads Statewide Innovation to Address Nursing Faculty Shortage

Sam Houston State University Leads Statewide Innovation to Address Nursing Faculty Shortage

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has announced a major milestone in nursing education innovation. The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) has unanimously approved a groundbreaking pilot program, led by SHSU’s School of Nursing and its partners, that will allow qualified Bachelor of Science in Nursing-prepared nurses to serve as independent clinical instructors for nursing students.

This approval marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical shortage of nursing faculty across Texas, particularly in rural and underserved regions. The pilot program, part of the Shared Nurse Academic Practice Partnership Initiative* (SNAPPI), will enable hospital-employed, BSN-prepared nurses to independently supervise clinical students—expanding clinical sections and increasing the student-to-faculty ratio.

“Texas faces a severe nursing workforce shortage, and the lack of master’s-prepared faculty has been a major barrier to expanding nursing education,” said Devon Berry, associate professor at SHSU and SNAPPI project lead. “This innovative pilot will help us collect the data needed to demonstrate that BSN-prepared nurses, when properly supported, can be entrusted with the same responsibilities as MSN-prepared nurses in clinical instruction.” 

The proposal was presented to the TBON in October, by a collaborative team including Desha Johnson-Makiya, Monique Huntley, Devon Berry, SNAPPI students and nurses and technology partner Nurseify. The initiative received enthusiastic support from both the TBON and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

“This is the biggest innovation the Board has seen in a long time,” shared a TBON member following the unanimous vote. “The SNAPPI team made a positive impression. We look forward to seeing the impact of this pilot.”

The SNAPPI pilot will launch in rural and underserved regions, where the need for nursing faculty is most acute. If successful, the program could serve as a model for statewide policy change, strengthening the nursing workforce pipeline and improving healthcare access for all Texans. 

“This is a collective win for nursing education in Texas,” said Berry. “We are grateful for the support of our community partners and the investment of our university in SNAPPI. Together, we are changing the future of nursing in our state.”

* The Shared Nurse Academic Practice Partnership Initiative (SNAPPI) is a collaborative effort between Sam Houston State University and four major healthcare systems in the Houston area—St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital, Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital, HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital—each playing a vital role in advancing nursing education and workforce development.