Updated at: 28-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Online nursing programs at Texas universities may be the best choice for Texans who want to enter or advance in the nursing profession. There are many advantages to enrolling in an online nursing program in Texas, such as the ability to save money, work at your own pace, and take classes from any location with an internet connection. If you live close to campus, you can take advantage of networking events and in-person classes and labs related to your program, as well as fulfill any necessary clinical hours. In addition, you’ll be finishing a degree program that aligns with Texas’s RN licensing standards.

You’ll be able to take the next step in your nursing career with the knowledge you gain from this guide. Learn about the various online nursing programs and find a list of the best nursing schools in the country. We’ve also included a list of helpful websites, as well as a step-by-step guide to becoming an RN in Texas and answers to frequently asked questions about Texas’s online nursing programs.

Best Online Nursing Programs In Texas

Best online nursing programs in texas

The University of Texas at Austin

The BSN program at UT can be completed entirely on campus. Nursing majors can expect to spend their full academic year in this program. Candidates for further study at the master’s and doctoral levels. Complex nursing care, nursing research, and public health nursing are all topics covered in educational programs. Certificate and graduate degree programs are also available at UT.

Texas A & M International University

Texas A & M International University

A BSN from Texas A&M International University can be earned in four years. Courses may focus on pharmacology, community nursing, or nursing administration. A culminating project is required for graduation. Two Master of Science in Nursing degrees are available from this Texas institution. Both nursing administration and family nurse practitioner programs are available to students.

University of Houston

Three advanced degrees in nursing are available at UH, one of the best nursing schools in Texas. These degrees build on the foundation of the BSN. Those who enroll in a school for family nurse practitioners have the opportunity to become certified in this specialty. Graduates of nursing schools often go on to work in academia or in administrative capacities. At the end of the online course, students are required to attend a two-day program.

Laredo College

LC’s Associate in Nursing (ADN) program is among the most reasonably priced in the state of Texas. The standard two-year course of study is available to students. Transition programs allow LPNs to earn their bachelor’s degrees. Learn essential nursing techniques and how to adjust to a career in the nursing field.

University of St Thomas

Some of the best nursing programs in Texas can be found at UST, including the BSN degree. Students who have already spent two years completing prerequisites at UST or elsewhere are welcome to apply to this 120-credit program. Care for the whole person is emphasized throughout the course of study. After finishing the program, candidates may apply for RN certification.

University of Texas, Austin

University of Texas, Austin

With over 8,000 nursing degrees and 610 Ph.D. nursing degrees awarded to date, the University of Texas’s school of nursing is among the most prominent and diverse in Texas. You can relax, as this is a highly regarded and competitive institution.

The University of Texas School of Nursing has larger classrooms than most nursing training schools in Texas because it is a public institution. That’s great news, because it means they’ll be able to invest more money into improving the educational opportunities available to future nurses.

The University of Texas offers a wide variety of nursing programs, including accelerated tracks, graduate certification, and alternative entry for students from fields unrelated to nursing who wish to enter the field.

University of Texas, Arlington

The graduate nursing programs at the University of Texas at Arlington have been a strength of the institution for over 50 years, allowing it to supply the healthcare industry with skilled advanced and registered nurses.

To learn remotely, quickly, and cheaply, consider the accelerated BSN program, RN to BSN, DNP, and a few other programs offered by the University of Texas at Arlington.

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation at the University of Texas at Arlington features modern classrooms, laboratories, and nursing research centers. With so many well-informed people around, nursing students have a great deal of support. Students in the field of nursing practice who wish to increase their employability may enroll in specialized certification programs in areas such as health informatics and telehealth.

Texas Woman’s University, Denton

Texas Woman’s University, Denton

Do you find it discouraging that some schools of nursing charge such high tuition rates? Texas Woman’s University is committed to providing a quality education at one of the lowest tuition rates in the country.

The nursing school is home to a state-of-the-art nursing research center open to all nursing students. No, the students at Texas Woman’s University are not all female. Since 1994, the school has welcomed male students.

Their post-baccalaureate and master’s degrees in fields like informatics, nurse education, and family nurse practioner will give you an edge in the competitive job market. The 97% success rate in obtaining certifications at Texas Woman’s University may be useful in making a decision.

University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Do you hold an MSN and hope to continue your education to earn a doctorate in nursing?

One of the top Ph.D. bridging programs is located at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care certification, Family Nurse Practitioner certification, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification are all options for those working toward a Master of Science in Nursing.

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, however, provides supplementary tutoring and counseling classes for students who may have fallen behind the rest of the class due to financial hardship.

The nursing program at the University of Texas Medical Branch is extremely selective. The opportunity to study at the University of Texas Medical Branch, however, could be transformative.

Baylor University, Dallas

Baylor University, Dallas

Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing may be the ideal place for you to further your education if nursing is more than just a career choice for you. The School’s midwifery program is nationally renowned, and it consistently ranks among Texas’ best nursing schools. Originally established in 1909 to train nurses for employment at Dallas’ Baylor Hospital, the School is now one of the nation’s oldest BSN programs, awarding degrees at the bachelor’s level since 1952. Baylor is a Baptist university, and the nursing curriculum reflects the school’s Christian values as reflected in its motto, “Learn. Lead. Serve.”

Across the street from the main campus of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas is where you’ll find the city’s thriving school of nursing. The “Sim Lab,” as it is known by the staff and students, is located on the fourth floor of the building. All levels of nursing students and professionals can use the Sim Lab to hone their skills before applying them in the real world.

University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

The University of Texas Health Science Center in downtown Houston is home to the Cizik School of Nursing as well as the schools of medicine, dentistry, and public health; this is consistent with the School’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Known for its cutting-edge “green” architecture, the eight-story School of Nursing and Student Community Center houses 20,000 square feet of study rooms, laboratories, and other amenities.

Its origins date back to 1890, making it one of the state’s oldest nursing schools. Its Nurse Anesthesia program is ranked in the top ten in the country, and its Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked first in the Gulf Coast region of Texas by “U.S. News and World Report.” Community outpatient clinics, neighborhood health centers, city and county health departments, and other providers of health care in the greater Houston area are among the clinical affiliates of Cizik School of Nursing. The same is true of Houston Methodist Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, and Texas Children’s Hospital.

University of Texas, Arlington

More bachelor of science in nursing students than any other Texas nursing school attend the University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Despite its size, this nursing school’s faculty is dedicated to providing students with individualized instruction. The “Smart Hospital” is a simulation hospital where students can learn the fundamentals of nursing in a setting that includes an ER, ICU, LD, PICU, PICU for newborns, PICU for children, PICU for adults, and medical/surgical beds. After acquiring the prerequisite knowledge, students in the Arlington and Dallas/Fort Worth areas look for opportunities to gain practical experience in hospitals, community health clinics, and schools.

The college’s Center for Research and Scholarship, Center for Hispanic Studies in Nursing and Health, Rural Health Outreach Program, and Center for Healthy Living and Longevity are all home to various nursing research initiatives that have garnered national attention. Grants from the National Institutes of Health and other private foundations help fund nursing research.

University of Central Florida

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Central Florida is offered entirely online. In addition to laying a solid groundwork for future graduate study in nursing, the program also prepares students for leadership roles like nursing manager and chief nursing officer.

UCF’s online nursing programs can take you from an RN to a BSN or an ASN to a BSN, or anywhere in between. Applicants without a valid RN license will not be considered.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The online RN-to-BSN program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is designed to equip registered nurses with the theoretical and practical background necessary for advancement to leadership roles in the healthcare system. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing opens up many doors for you in terms of career advancement.

Registered nurses with active licenses are encouraged to apply. Recommendation letters and transcripts from both high school and college are also required.

University of Rochester

The online RN-to-BSN program at the University of Rochester can help you advance your nursing career in as little as 16 months. The program prepares students to meet or exceed professional standards, develop their patient care expertise, and explore diverse career paths.

The BSN curriculum is built around the development of students’ critical thinking skills. All of Rochester’s nursing students are even provided with iPads to ensure they have access to the technology they need to successfully complete their online courses.

You can begin the course at any time during the year. The degree plan you create with your advisor will be determined by the number of credits you have already earned.

FAQs

What Is the Fastest Way to Become a Nurse In Texas?

The fastest way to become a CNA, LVN, or RN in Texas is to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN), which can be completed in about two years. Clinical experience, passing the appropriate exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and state licensure may also be required. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a master’s degree in the field may be required for positions in administration or nurse education, so recent grads should plan accordingly.

How Long Is a Nursing Program in Texas?

The duration of a nursing education is highly variable between different programs. The standard time to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is four years. However, if a student already has an ADN, their time in the program will be significantly reduced. However, a Certified Nursing Assistant program can be completed in as little as 12 weeks.

Can I earn my nursing degree in Texas completely online?

It is conditional upon the nature of the program and the scope of “completely online.” Most online nursing programs in Texas today, with the exception of online ADN programs, offer entirely online coursework. However, clinical experiences are required of students in all RN-to-BSN and graduate nursing programs, as well as some online RN-to-BSN programs. Typically, a nurse’s current workplace will serve as the location for these in-person assessments.

Will my online Texas nursing degree be considered less valuable by employers?

It’s highly unlikely. There was once an assumption that online degrees were not as credible as those from more conventional, on-campus institutions. No longer is that the case. For some time now, it has been common knowledge among hiring managers that online nursing degree programs are on par with their on-campus counterparts in terms of rigor and content.

Conclusion

These top Texas online nursing programs are great options for anyone looking to enter the field, switch careers, or build upon their existing education.

The University of Texas at Austin comes out on top because of the quality of its nursing education, the variety of its popular nursing programs, and the low cost of its tuition. As a registered nurse, you’ll have access to the most comprehensive training programs available.

However, if you are interested in a more intimate learning environment or fast-track nursing programs, two other excellent Texas institutions are Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington.