Texas State University’s (TXST) St. David’s School of Nursing has forged a partnership with CHRISTUS Health to enhance nursing education and address the growing healthcare workforce needs in Texas. The collaboration was formalized during a signing ceremony held on November 19, 2023, at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital-San Marcos, attended by TXST President Kelly Damphousse, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital-San Marcos President Robert Honeycutt, and Chief Nursing Officer Anna Gore.
This partnership, commencing in the Fall 2025 semester, will initially involve 25 nursing students who will gain focused clinical experiences at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital. The program is designed to provide students with a learning environment that emphasizes compassionate care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and respect for human dignity. This approach aims to help students develop confidence, competence, and a strong professional identity as they prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.
Texas is currently facing a significant nursing shortage, with projections indicating a deficit of over 57,000 registered nurses by 2036. Initiatives like this partnership are critical in addressing the increasing demand for healthcare professionals by expanding clinical placement opportunities and ensuring a steady flow of qualified graduates to serve communities in need.
In a remarkable response to this demand, TXST received 378 applicants for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for the upcoming semester, marking the highest number in the program’s history. Approximately 128 students are expected to graduate in May 2026, which would make it the largest graduating class since the inception of the St. David’s School of Nursing.
“We are grateful to CHRISTUS for helping us create this partnership,” said Damphousse. “It allows us to expand hands-on learning opportunities for our nursing students while directly contributing to the healthcare needs of our region. With record numbers of students graduating from our nursing program each year, we’re preparing more nurses than ever before to meet the critical nursing shortage in Texas.”
For CHRISTUS Health, this collaboration guarantees access to well-prepared graduates who are already familiar with the organization’s standards and culture. This familiarity is expected to enhance retention, reduce turnover, and improve the quality of patient care provided at their facilities.
“By combining Texas State’s renowned nursing curriculum with our firsthand training opportunities, we are preparing the next generation of nurses to meet the evolving needs of our community with skill, compassion, and resilience,” stated Honeycutt. “This partnership opens doors for innovative clinical rotations and mentorship programs that will not only benefit students but also enhance the quality of care that we provide.”
In addition to clinical education, TXST and CHRISTUS Health plan to collaborate on joint research, innovation, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at boosting clinical education and patient outcomes. This partnership reinforces both institutions’ commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery and investing in the future of nursing.
The signing ceremony showcased the dedication of both organizations to developing a robust nursing workforce that can effectively meet the demands of the healthcare sector in Texas. As both TXST and CHRISTUS Health work together, they are poised to make significant contributions to the healthcare landscape, ensuring that future nurses are well-equipped to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
