Becoming an RN in Texas

Texas residents become eligible for initial licensure by completing a Texas Board of Nursing approved educational program and passing the national NCLEX examination. There are four paths to becoming a registered nurse within the state. Most students graduate with an associate’s or baccalaureate degree. The state does have one RN diploma program, as well. There is also one direct entry master’s program.

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
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Grand Canyon University Visit School's Website
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Liberty University Visit School's Website
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Walden University Visit School's Website
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  • Online Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Nursing Programs and Certificates
Sacred Heart University Visit School's Website
Selected Program:
  • Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Students should make certain that their program is board-approved. Although the vast majority are, the Board has issued a warning that there are, or have been, a few fraudulent schools recruiting within the state. Texas does recognize out-of-state programs that are approved by the board of nursing in their own state, it should be noted.

All approved programs provide instruction and clinical experience in medical/surgical, pediatric, mental health, and maternal care nursing. They also teach professional decision making, ethics, and scope of practice issues. Before beginning the clinical portion of the program, students do foundation courses in biological and social sciences. The prerequisites typically include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and human development.

Registered Nursing Educational Paths

A number of Texas schools offer second degree accelerated BSN programs to professionals who already have a degree in another field. These programs may take as little as twelve months if all prerequisites have been completed. In some cases, completion of a certified nursing assistant course may also be required for admission. This step allows the student to get crucial experience within a health care setting. (If a person is already working as a CNA, and they have a degree in some other field, they are well ahead of the game!)

Vocational nurses are also on a fast track to a career in professional nursing. Most programs for vocational nurses are at the LVN to ADN level. There are a few programs in the state that allow a vocational nurse to go straight for his or her BSN, however. There is also an online LVN to BSN option to consider.

Registered Nursing Career Outlook in Texas

Texas is anticipating a significant shortfall in nurses. A 2009 report by the Texas Nursing Workforce Center estimated that the number of graduates would need to double by 2013.

According to the Workforce Center, nurses do return to the workforce during periods of recession; this may be because a spouse got laid off. This trend causes a temporary reduction in the number of new graduates who are needed. Still, Texas hospitals reported a 6.75% vacancy rate in 2010. Data for long term care facilities is from an earlier year (2008), but indicates that the vacancy rate is much higher in these facilities than in hospitals.

The Application Process for RN Programs in Texas

Though there is a high need for nurses, there is a shortage of faculty to teach them. In 2009, only 59% of qualified applicants were admitted to Texas nursing schools. This means a little less than 3/5 of candidates who met the stated requirements for GPA and prerequisites were actually admitted to programs. This is slightly above the rate that were admitted several years earlier. Still, it leaves a lot of people anxious about what they can do to improve their chances.

Universities may make decisions on a wide range of both academic and non-academic factors. A desirable candidate has solid grades, especially in science courses and other prerequisites. This is not the entire picture, however. Having a 4.0 won’t necessarily place you above a candidate with a 3.0. Texas Tech University lists the following non-academic considerations: experience abroad, work and voluntary history, and reasons for selecting the profession.

Some criteria may seem a little nebulous. How will a university judge a candidate on their interest in the nursing profession? There will likely be an essay. An interview may be required, as well. Schools also want to reward those who have made it far despite challenges in their lives. They may consider whether a candidate is a first generation college student or from a non-English speaking background.

ADN Programs Approved by the Board of Nursing

ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
3110 Mustang Road
Alvin, Texas 77511-4898
Phone: (281) 756-3634

AMARILLO COLLEGE
6222 W. 9th St.
Bldg. A – Room 106
Amarillo, Texas 79106 Phone: (806) 354-6010

ANGELINA COLLEGE
3500 S. 1st Street
Health Careers Bldg. #1
Lufkin, Texas 75904
Phone: (936) 633-5445

ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY
Jackson Street Receiving Complex
San Angelo, Texas 76909
Phone: (325) 942-2224

AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
3401 Webberville Road
Austin, Texas 78702
Phone: (512) 223-5774
Fax: (512) 223-5903

BLINN COLLEGE
2423 Blinn Blvd.
Bryan, Texas 77803
Phone: (979) 209-7204 Fax: (979) 209-7524

BROOKHAVEN COLLEGE
3939 Valley View Lane
Farmers Branch, Texas 75244
Phone: (972) 860-4750 Fax: (972) 860-4151

CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
6200 W. Central Texas Expressway
Killeen, Texas 76549-1765

Phone: (254) 526-1300
Fax: (254) 526-1765

CISCO JUNIOR COLLEGE
717 East Industrial Boulevard
Abilene, Texas 79602
Phone: (325) 794-4400
Fax: (254) 442-5100

COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND
1200 Amburn Road
Texas City, Texas 77591
Phone: (409) 938-1211
Fax: (409) 933-4369

COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2200 West University Drive
McKinney, Texas 75071
Phone: (972) 548-6679
Fax: (972) 548-6722

DEL MAR COLLEGE
101 Baldwin
Corpus Christi, Texas 78404-3897
Phone: (361) 698-1320
Fax: (361) 698-1173

EL CENTRO COLLEGE
801 Main Street
Dallas, Texas 75202-3604
Phone: (214) 860-2309
Fax: (214) 860-2435

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
100 W. Rio Grande Street
El Paso, Texas 79998
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 20500
El Paso, Texas 79908
Phone: (915) 831-4530
Fax: (915) 831-4536

GALVESTON COLLEGE
4015 Avenue Q
Galveston, Texas 77550
Phone: (409) 944-1387
Fax: (409) 944-1500

GRAYSON COUNTY COLLEGE
6101 Grayson Drive
Denison, Texas 75020-8299
Phone: (903) 786-9596
Fax: (903) 786-9658

HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
7502 Fondren Road
Houston, Texas 77074-3298
Phone: (281) 649-3300 Fax: (281) 649-3340

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
1900 Pressler Drive, Suite 344
Houston, Texas 77030
Phone: (713) 718-7230 Fax: (713) 718-7470

HOWARD COLLEGE
1001 Birdwell Lane
Big Spring, Texas 79720
Phone: (432) 264-5070 Fax: (432) 264-5142

KILGORE COLLEGE
1100 Broadway Street
Kilgore, Texas 75662
Phone: (903) 983-8168

LAMAR UNIVERSITY AT BEAUMONT
1050 E. Lavaca
Beaumont, Texas 77710

Phone: (409) 880-8868

LAREDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1 West End Washington Street
Laredo, Texas 78040-4395
Phone: (956) 721-5252

LEE COLLEGE
511 South Whiting
Baytown, Texas 77520
Phone: 281 425-6449

LONE STAR COLLEGE – CY-FAIR
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, Texas 77433-1383
Phone: (281) 290-3931

LONE STAR COLLEGE – KINGWOOD
20000 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, Texas 77339
Phone: (800) 883-7939 ext 1683

LONE STAR COLLEGE – MONTGOMERY
3200 College Park Drive
Conroe, Texas 77384
Phone: (936) 273-7000

LONE STAR COLLEGE – NORTH HARRIS –
MEEP
2700 W.W. Thorne Drive
Houston, Texas 77073
Phone: (281) 618-5741

LONE STAR COLLEGE – TOMBALL
30555 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, Texas 77375
Phone: (281) 351-3300

MCLENNAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1400 College Drive
Waco, Texas 76708
Phone: (254) 299-8367

MIDLAND COLLEGE
3600 North Garfield
Midland, Texas 79705-6397
Phone: (432) 685-4600

NAVARRO COLLEGE
3200 West 7th Avenue
Corsicana, Texas 75110
Phone: (903) 875-7581

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
1525 West California Street
Gainesville, Texas 76240
Phone: (940) 668-4264

NORTHEAST TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FM 1735 – Chapel Hill Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75455

Phone: (903) 434-8100

ODESSA COLLEGE
201 West University
Odessa, Texas 79764
Phone: (432) 335-6672

PANOLA COLLEGE
820 W. Panola
Carthage, Texas 75633
Phone: (903) 694-4000

SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
1300 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78212-4299
Phone: (210) 733-2375

SAN JACINTO COLLEGE CENTRAL
8060 Spencer Highway
Pasadena, Texas 77505-2007

Phone: (281) 476-1842

SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE
1401 College Avenue
Levelland, Texas 79336
Phone: (806) 894-9611

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE
1101 E. Vermont
McAllen, Texas 78502

Phone: (956) 872-3124

SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
300 West Magnolia
Keene, Texas 76059-2334
Phone: (817) 202-6235

TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE
5301 Campus Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76119-5926
Phone: (817) 515-4549

TEMPLE COLLEGE
2600 South First Street
Temple, Texas 76504
Phone: (254) 298-8873

TEXARKANA COLLEGE
2500 North Robison Road
Texarkana, Texas 75599
Phone: (903) 832-5565

TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
800 Highway 243 West
Kaufman, Texas 75142
Phone: (972) 932-4309

TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE
1327 Baxter Street
Tyler, TX 75701

Phone: (903) 510-2869

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT BROWNSVILLE &
TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Phone: (956) 554-5072

VERNON COLLEGE
4400 College Drive
Vernon, Texas 76384
Phone: (940) 552-6291

VICTORIA COLLEGE
2200 East Red River
Victoria, Texas 77901
Phone: (361) 573-3291

WEATHERFORD COLLEGE
225 College Park Drive
Weatherford, TX 76086
Phone: (817) 598-6309

WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE
911 Boling Highway
Wharton, Texas 77488-0080
Phone: (979) 532-6391

  

BSN Programs Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
3700 Worth Street
Dallas, Texas 75246
Phone: (214) 820-3361

EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Frank S. Groner Endowed Memorial School of Professional Studies
1209 North Grove
Marshall, Texas 75670-1498
Phone: (903) 923-2210

HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
7502 Fondren Road
Houston, Texas 77074
Phone: (281) 649-3300

LAMAR UNIVERSITY AT BEAUMONT
(Department of Nursing)
1050 E. Lavaca
Beaumont, Texas

Phone: 409-880-8817

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Wilson School of Nursing
3410 Taft Blvd.
Wichita Falls, Texas 76308
Phone: (940) 397-4599

PATTY HANKS SHELTON SCHOOL OF
NURSING(FORMERLY ABILENE
INTERCOLLEGIATE)
2149 Hickory Street
Abilene, Texas 79601-2339
Phone: (325) 671-2399

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
6436 Fannin Street (Suite 1202 )
Houston, Texas 77030
Phone: (713) 797-7009

SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
300 W. Magnolia
Keene, Texas 76059-2334
Phone: (817) 202-6236

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Math & Nursing Bldg.
1946 No. Street Rm 106
Nacogdoches, Texas 75962

Phone: (936) 468-3604

TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY
201 St. Felix
Stephenville, Texas 76402-0002

Phone: (254) 968-9717

TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Canseco School of Nursing
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, Texas 78041
Phone: (956) 326-2450

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – CORPUS CHRISTI
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412
Phone: (361) 825-2649

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
HARRIS COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH
SCIENCES
2900 W. Bowie
Fort Worth, Texas 76129

Phone: (817) 257-7652

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH
SCIENCES CENTER
3601 4th Street, MS 6264
Lubbock, Texas 79430-6264
Phone: (806) 743-3082

TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY
304 Administration Drive
Denton, Texas 76201

Phone: (940) 898-2401

UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR
SCOTT AND WHITE SCHOOL OF NURSING
900 College Street
Belton, Texas 76513-2599

Phone: (254) 295-4665

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
411 S. Nedderman Drive
Arlington, Texas 76019-0407

Phone: (817) 272-2776

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
1700 Red River
Austin, Texas 78701-1499
Phone: (512) 471-4100

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
1101 N. Campbell Street
El Paso, Texas 79902
Phone: (915) 747-8217

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH
SCIENCES
3900 University Boulevard
Tyler, Texas 75799
Phone: (903) 566-7320

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE
CENTER AT HOUSTON
6901 Bertner Avenue
Houston, Texas 77225

Phone: (713) 500-2002

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE
CENTER AT SAN ANTONIO
7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7944,
San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900
Phone: (210) 567-5810

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH
AT GALVESTON
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, Texas 77555-1132
Phone: (409) 772-1510

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS – PAN AMERICAN
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, Texas 78541
Phone: (956) 381-3495

UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD
4301 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Phone: (210) 829-3982

WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
11550 IH-35 North
San Antonio, Texas 78233

Phone: (210) 826-7595

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
WTAMU Box 60969
Canyon, Texas 79016
Phone: (806) 651-2630