Some 24.7 million people live in the state of Texas. Additionally, it is the second largest state. Some of the bigger cities include San Antonio, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. In terms of gross state product, Texas ranks second highest, mainly due to its large petroleum industry. Indeed, this is also why so many Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in the state. There is plenty to see and do in Texas, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the NASA Johnson Space center, ranches, zoos and more. It is the perfect place to study and eventually work in.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses in Texas is higher than the number of students current enrolled. This shows how high the demand for properly qualified graduates is. Currently, some 190,090 registered nurses (RNs) are employed in the state and their mean annual salary is $67,860. However, this includes RNs who hold an associate’s degree rather than a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, certain areas of Texas pay well above the state average, particularly in metropolitan areas. When you add to this the fact that job and salary growth is set to be very high over the next few years, it becomes clear that it makes for an interesting and lucrative career choice.
Those who want to become nurses in Texas, or those who already are registered nurses but want to improve their job prospects and salary outlook could consider studying towards a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Below are seven of the best schools currently available in Texas.
1. Concordia University Texas
Concordia University Texas has a highly demanding program for those who want to obtain their BSN. Firstly, they have to take part in a pre-nursing sequence, where they will learn about humanities and sciences. This is necessary to be able to properly conduct the art of nursing, which is largely about caring for others. Once they have completed this part, students must apply within a single semester for the professional sequence of the nursing degree. The first part, therefore, is completed during freshman and sophomore years and the second part starts in the middle of the sophomore year, to be completed during junior and senior years.
Campus: Austin, TX
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $29,310 per academic year
Minimum time commitment: Four years
Online availability: No
Degree requirements: Prerequisite courses, GPA
Programs: BSN
School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
2. East Texas Baptist University
At East Texas Baptist University, faculty and students work together to reach a common goal, which is high quality education to create graduates who are able to meet the needs of the community. As such, students take part in a variety of real-world experiences on a clinical level, as well as various theoretical courses. The university prides itself on having a very low faculty to student ratio, which enables them to deliver the curriculum in a personalized manner. This is one of the reasons why their pass rates for the NCLEX-RN examination are so high (indeed, they have stood at 100% for four cohorts running).
Campus: Marshall, TX
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $21,700 per year
Minimum time commitment: 61 credit hours
Online availability: No
Degree requirements: ACT of 18 or higher, SAT of 860 or higher or be in the top 30% of the graduating class
Programs: BSN
School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
3. Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing
Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (PHSSN) is part of McMurry University and Hardin-Simmons University, the latter of which is found in Texas. It is the only college of its kind in the country and many other schools are trying to emulate their nursing programs. Students will learn the science, the art and the spirit of nursing, which is seen as a true calling. Students must first complete core courses before finishing their training at the PHSSN.
Someone who holds a BSN is a true nursing generalist, who knows how to coordinate care for patients, as well as how to deliver it appropriately. They are able to synthesize and gain information from a range of different sources and they will use their critical analysis and logical reasoning skills to do this. Additionally, they learn about communication skills (both with patients and colleagues) and they understand all the ethical, legal and professional standards applicable to registered nurses. During the degree program, students will take part in a range of real-life clinical situations to test their skills and knowledge.
Campus: Abilene, TX
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $685 per credit hour
Minimum time commitment: 129 hours for BSN, 24 hours for RN to BSN
Online availability:
Degree requirements: GPA of 3.0 minimum, prerequisite courses, entrance exam, RN for RN to BSN program
Programs: BSN, RN to BSN
School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
4. West Coast University
At West Coast University, students are equipped with all the skills and knowledge they need to become the best possible nurses. Their role is to ensure each patient is able to achieve optimum health levels. The degree incorporates decision making, critical thinking and leadership and management techniques. Additionally, it looks at the ethical, moral and legal principles that are applicable to the profession of nursing. Students can become employed in long term and acute care facilities, as well as in the community.
Campus: Dallas, TX
Type: Privae
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $108,065 for full degree
Minimum time commitment: 3 years for BSN
Online availability:
Degree requirements: HESI, TEAS V, SAT, ACT, LVN diploma for LVN to BSN program
Programs: BSN, LVN to BSN,
School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
5. Abilene Christian University
With a BSN degree from Abilene Christian University, graduates will be ready to start a professional nursing career. During their first two years, students will study general courses that lay the foundations for nursing. These include critical thinking and communication and also the biblical background that is at the heart of the university itself. Students apply to become admitted to the school of nursing itself during the spring of their sophomore year. If they are accepted, they will then learn about all the clinical aspects of being a nurse. Students will be able to work in simulation labs using state of the art technology. Additionally, they will learn to debate issues in health care and then look at using evidence-based practice to care for their patients and assess their needs. Furthermore, they will be mentored by faculty members, take part in research, receive career advice, take medical mission trips, and more. Once they have graduated, students would be able to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Campus: Abilene, TX
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $29,450 per year
Minimum time commitment: 128 hours
Online availability: No
Degree requirements: High school or GED, ACT and/or SAT
Programs: BSN
School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
6. Baylor University – Louise Herrington School of Nursing
At the Louise Herrington School of Nursing, students first take a pre-nursing course that looks at behavioral and natural sciences with liberal arts. Some students choose to go to the Dallas Campus for part of their degree as well. Once the pre-nursing course is completed, students must take part in a further two years of upper division studies. This is done in Dallas only, at a teaching and research hospital that is renowned all over the world for its state of the art health care.
Campus: Dallas and Waco, TX
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $30,586 per year
Minimum time commitment: 131 hours for traditional BSN, 12 months for FastBacc
Online availability: No
Degree requirements: Prerequisite courses, GPA of 3.0 minimum, Bachelor’s degree for FastBacc track
Programs: BSN traditional, FastBacc Track
School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
7. University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington offers a prestigious BSN degree program. The college has built a reputation of delivering true excellence in terms of their curriculum and in terms of their graduates. Indeed, nursing leaders and health care employees often seek out University of Texas at Arlington graduates when they have job openings. It has also been officially recognized as being a high performing school. Only 9 out of 100 Texas programs have been able to achieve this status, which demonstrates the quality of the school.
Campus: Arlington, TX
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $9,152 per year for in state students, $18,004 for out of state students and $18,174 for international students
Minimum time commitment: Four semesters
Online availability: Yes
Degree requirements: Prerequisite courses, GPA of 2.75 minimum, TOEFL if applicable, high school or GED, transcripts, RN for RN to BSN track
Programs: BSN, RN to BSN
School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid