Board delegates contract authority for online courses and unanimously restores Tarleton State BSN to full approval

The Texas Board of Nursing on Jan. 30 voted to delegate to the executive director the authority to approve and sign a contract resulting from a forthcoming RFP for online nursing course services when the contract value exceeds $1,000,000, citing statutory delegation allowed under Texas Government Code §2261.254(c). Brian Miller, assistant general counsel, told the board the agency must use the Department of Information Resources (DIR) procurement process because the services are IT-related and that volume increases — more licensees using the service — pushed the expected contract value above the $1,000,000 threshold. Rick Williams moved to delegate the authority and Drew Riddle seconded; the motion passed.

Later in the meeting the board considered an education item for Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Education staff reported a preliminary 2024 NCLEX-RN pass rate of 94.67% for Tarleton’s BSN program, noting sustained improvement from earlier years. Dr. Michael Leger, the program’s new dean, and students Stephanie Starr and Dylan Charles addressed the board, thanking staff and describing classroom and clinical improvements. Ken Johnson moved to change the program’s approval status from conditional to full approval; Rick Williams seconded. The board voted; the motion carried unanimously.

Board materials note that Tarleton’s program previously had a focus survey, administrative changes and other improvements and that CCNE accreditation is current through June 30, 2034. Education staff will circulate a final board order documenting the change in approval and any monitoring conditions.