The online nursing programs in Texas are one of the best in the U.S and they are especially helpful to people who want to obtain a nursing qualification while facing other responsibilities.
Online education is no longer alien, the practice has gone far and wide and during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, education had to go on but it continued online and at that moment, almost every student had a taste of it. Online learning is convenient and eliminates the stress and cost of face-to-face learning, it is also innovative, and lets you deeply immerse yourself in the latest technological trend.
Online learning has existed way before the pandemic but the pandemic made it popular and forced many institutions of learning to adopt it. It was originally established to enforce distant learning education and provide education to those who aren’t chanced to sit in a classroom as they have other things to do.
Basically, learning online helps you multitask without any part of your life lagging. If you want to attain a managerial role in your place of work but don’t want to stop work, easy-peasy, online education has got you covered. You can enroll in an online course that is related to the position you want to attain at your company, study it, get the degree, and get promoted.
It is also the same for nursing, if you want to obtain a nursing qualification and practice in the field without leaving your other responsibilities, enrolling in an online nursing program is the solution. There are various nursing programs online that you can enroll in. There are nursing certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, masters, and even Ph.D. degrees online that you can enroll for.
If you have no foundational knowledge in nursing and want to start it for the first time, you should consider getting a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree in nursing and you can find colleges that offer these programs fully online. However, if you already have the above degrees then enrolling in a more in-depth program should be your next call of action.
There are hundreds of online nursing programs, but in this article, I have narrowed it down to the online nursing programs in Texas all of which are accredited.
Why Texas?
This is because Texas has the best medical schools, which includes nursing schools and colleges, in the entire U.S and the world. The University of Texas at Arlington, the Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas at Austin all rank among the universities offering the world’s best medical programs. So, getting a nursing degree from a Texan institution would make you a highly valued individual and seek after by top health care facilities.
Doesn’t matter if you got the degree online or through traditional learning, they are all seen as the same. Those who live outside Texas or in another country entirely will also have the opportunity to enroll in the online nursing programs in Texas, since it is online, physical presence isn’t required, thereby saving you both time and cost and still award you a renowned nursing education and degree.
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What is an Online Nursing Program?
An online nursing program is a program that allows students to gain different levels of licensure such as an associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree in nursing online. However, to become a qualified nurse you must observe clinical hours of hands-on practical training at a physical location. So, while you earn your degree and complete your course work online, you will still have to complete in-person clinical hours at a physical location.
Some online nursing classes also utilize virtual simulation to enrich learning.
Advantages of Online Nursing Programs
Online nursing degree programs can be a great way to get your RN degree without having to attend a traditional classroom, and below are the other advantage that comes with it.
- The cost of online nursing programs are lower
- You get to enjoy the flexibility that comes with it, that is, most classes and assignments can be done at your own convenience, making it easy to schedule around other responsibilities.
- Learning from home enforces you to adopt a higher level of self-discipline which is a plus for your future employers.
- It helps you develop technical skills
- Grants more people access to education
- Convenient schedule and location
Accredited Online Nursing Programs in Texas
Here, I have listed out the online nursing programs in Texas accredited by the right body and discussed them further below with specific website links to learn more about the programs.
- The University of Texas at Arlington
- The University of Texas at Tyler
- Texas Woman’s University
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Texas A&M International University
- Western Governor’s University
- Lamar University
- The University of Texas, El Paso
1. The University of Texas at Arlington
We can’t talk about the online nursing programs in Texas without the University of Texas at Arlington, its medical programs are recognized both home and abroad. The school offers a wide range of online nursing programs in bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels of study all tailored to fit your needs and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
2. The University of Texas at Tyler
At the University of Texas at Tyler, you can complete the RN-BSN Track, that is, from being a Registered Nurse to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, completely online. The program is completed in just 1 year of full-time study or you can take as long as you want since graduation dates are flexible. During the program, you will learn with full-time UT Tyler master’s and doctorally-prepared nursing faculty who teach all online classes.
If you are looking for the best online nursing programs in Texas, the University of Texas at Tyler should be your go-to place.
3. Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University offers one of the best online nursing programs in Texas, in fact, the nursing programs here are considered the best in the nation. The school offers undergraduate and graduate nursing programs via traditional learning, online, and hybrid, it is then left for you to choose the one that suits you best.
The online nursing programs at Texas Woman’s University lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and the Doctor of Nursing Practice which is all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
4. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
There are 22 nursing programs available at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, designed to tailor your needs and put you on a path to a fulfilling career in health care. The university has various campuses across west Texas and other innovative routes for students to complete their nursing education with options for online plans and accelerated learning.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers some of the best online nursing programs in Texas in the following paths:
- Second degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Informatics
- MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-master’s Nursing Informatics Certificate
- Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner
- Rural Community Health
5. Texas A&M International University
Through the TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing, Texas A&M International University can offer one of the best online nursing programs in Texas. The program prepares professional nurses to improve the well-being of complex and diverse populations.
The online programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The nursing programs offered online at this institution are:
- Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completed in1 year
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nursing Administration completed in 10 months
6. Western Governor’s University
The College of Health Professions Online provides online nursing programs and healthcare degrees to students who want to maximize their experience and motivation to improve the quality and care and take the next step in their career. The nursing programs offered online are;
- RN to BSN which you can finish within 18 months
- Health Services Coordination – finish within 3 years
- Healthcare Management – finish within 35 months
- RN to MSN which can be completed within 42 months
- MBA Healthcare Management – completed within 2 years
7. Lamar University
Lamar University offers online nursing programs in Texas and these programs are designed to allow students to finish their degree quickly while offering you the flexibility to keep working. The online nursing programs at Lamar University are 100% online and prepare you for multiple healthcare settings and give you the knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to move into a higher-level nursing role.
The nursing programs offered online are in undergraduate and graduate levels of study, they are the RN to BSN which cost $9,829 per program, the RN to MSN which cost $25,931 per program, Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration which cost $14,047 per program, and the Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education which cost $14,047 per program. Apply for the program that suits you best by following the link below.
8. The University of Texas, El Paso
Known for offering one of the best online nursing programs in Texas, the University of Texas, El Paso offers a variety of BSN programs, including a fast track online BSN program for those who already hold an RN license and a regular 4-year on-campus program for new students.
UTEP has one of the best nursing programs in the Southwest, including a top-rated online nursing program. Students can use the knowledge they obtain in their BSN program to pursue further study as FNP, MSN, or even a DNP.
If you want to get an online nursing degree in Texas, these are the schools you should consider, they offer the best online nursing programs in Texas and will make nursing education exciting for you.
Top 4 Accelerated Online Nursing Programs in Texas
The accelerated online nursing programs in Texas can be difficult to get into given their high requirements but the advantage is that you get to complete your nursing degree in just a few months that should have taken years.
The top accelerated online nursing programs in Texas have been provided below just in case you want to consider getting an accelerated online nursing degree from Texas.
- The University of Texas – Arlington
- Baylor University
- Concordia University Texas, Austin
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock & El Paso
1. The University of Texas – Arlington
If you’re looking for an accelerated online BSN program, look into the University of Texas’ blended ABSN program, which allows you to complete courses online while also receiving in-person clinical experience at healthcare institutions throughout Texas.
Because this program is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject, you can transfer up to 70 credits from your previous study. These credits are essentially prerequisite courses that must be completed before enrolling in nursing classes. You can take these courses online if you haven’t already done so; nevertheless, you must do so before beginning nursing coursework.
Students often complete this degree in 15 months and go on to have a satisfying career as a nurse. Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll have to finish 14 nursing courses for a total of 51 credits. There are also two elective courses, one of which you must finish based on your personal interests. The curriculum is well-rounded and provided systematically and progressively.
You should add this university to your list of accelerated online nursing programs in Texas.
2. Baylor University
Baylor University is a private university located in Houston, Texas, for 109 years, the Louise Herrington School of Nursing has worked to provide nursing education that is both faith-based and relevant to the needs of today’s nurses. The school of nursing has been highly ranked for its professional nursing programs by top publications such as U.S. News and World Report, living up to their motto of Learn.Lead.Serve. Because it is located in the heart of downtown Dallas, many of its pupils will benefit from its central location.
FastBacc BSN Track is a 12-month curriculum that includes intensive classroom and lab training as well as clinical encounters. Some courses are available in a hybrid and online version as part of the summer program. Students put their newly gained information and abilities into practice in the state-of-the-art simulation lab, gaining a deeper understanding of their actions while avoiding putting patients’ health at risk.
Professional Nursing Practice in Childbearing Families, Mental Health Nursing, and Nursing of Patients with Medical Surgical Needs are just a few of the courses available.
3. Concordia University Texas, Austin
Concordia University Texas, Austin offers an accelerated BSN Track, which is a 16-month curriculum that combines online courses, lab training, and clinical experience. The program is offered three times a year, in January, May, and August, and there is no waitlist, so students can begin their studies sooner.
With all of the flexibility it offers, it’s no surprise that this program is a popular choice for a career change. Child and Family Nursing, Maternal/Newborn Nursing, Adult, Community, and Global Health Nursing are among the courses offered throughout the course of four semesters.
To be qualified for this program, you must have a minimum of 60 credits, either from past schooling or from Concordia’s online prerequisites. Concordia University, located in the heart of Austin’s music scene, is a private, non-profit Christian higher education school. Its nursing schools encourage students to practice professional nursing while also emphasizing compassion and caring.
Concordia is suitable for anyone looking for faith-based education in the heart of Austin’s bustling metropolis and also for those looking for accelerated online nursing programs in Texas.
4. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock & El Paso
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock & El Paso offers one of the top accelerated online nursing programs in Texas. It is a 12-month accelerated second-degree BSN program designed to prepare nursing students for the demands of a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
The curriculum is taught entirely online, with online clinical hours supervised by nursing clinical staff. Basic nursing skills, chronic care nursing ideas, mental health nursing, acute care nursing, and developing family nursing are among the courses offered over the course of three semesters.
There are many accelerated nursing programs offered offline or traditional mode but these are the only ones offered online and they are provided by some of the country’s best.
Top 3 Online Nursing Programs in San Antonio
The top online nursing programs in San Antonio, Texas are:
- Galen College of Nursing
- Chamberlain University
- Hallmark University
1. Galen College of Nursing
At Galen College of Nursing, you can pursue an online RN to BSN or an online MSN degree completely online. There are other nursing degree programs but only these two are offered online at the college.
2. Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University offers online nursing programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the program is designed to advance students’ ability to retain and apply essential knowledge. Although the program is offered online but approved clinical rotations and demonstrations will be performed on-site.
3. Hallmark University
Hallmark University offers one of the top online nursing programs in San, Antonio. The university offers three nursing programs to students but only two are offered online which are the Bachelor of Science (BSN) for Registered Nurse (RN) – completed online in 10 months – and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program which is completed online in 16 months.
FAQs on Online Nursing Programs in Texas
Can you do nursing completely online?
While you can earn any nursing degree online you will have to engage in face-to-face or hands-on practical learning at a clinic or hospital to gain practical skills. The college or university offering the online nursing program will arrange this practical learning for you at a health center close to you.
So, you can’t do nursing completely online as part of earning the qualification includes completing clinical hours that will build your skills. This cannot be done online, although there are virtual simulations you will still be required to complete the clinical hours which requires a physical presence.
How do I become an RN online in Texas?
To become a Registered Nurse (RN) online in Texas, simply follow the process below:
- Look for an accredited institution of learning in Texas and check if they offer online nursing programs leading to RN
- Proceed to check the program requirements and begin an application. Also, ensure the RN online program is accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing
- Complete your RN program, usually 2 years or 18 months
- Sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and meet the score requirement
- Complete other Texas-specific licensing requirements to obtain a nursing license to start practicing.
This brings an end to this blog post on the best online nursing programs in Texas, other areas related to the main topic were also discussed to help you further, which hopefully, they’ve done.
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