
Olivia Chen, NP
June 26, 2025
Texas’s nursing education landscape offers robust pathways from foundational certification to advanced practice specializations. Whether you’re beginning as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), or preparing for advanced practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s community colleges, universities, and health systems blend comprehensive coursework with practical clinical training. With hands‑on practicum experiences at accredited facilities and flexible online modules designed to fit varied schedules, Texas’s nursing programs equip graduates with the skills, credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to excel across its diverse healthcare settings.
Corpus Christi, TX - Public 4-Year - tamucc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's Traditional BSN program provides a comprehensive pathway for aspiring nurses to enter the healthcare profession. This rigorous on-campus curriculum spans 115-117 credits, integrating arts, sciences, and humanities to develop well-rounded nursing professionals. Students receive extensive training in clinical decision-making, covering core curriculum, first-year seminars, and specialized nursing courses. The program prepares graduates for diverse healthcare roles and NCLEX-RN licensure. Entrance requirements include ACT or SAT scores, and the program emphasizes practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Military-friendly and focused on creating adaptable healthcare professionals, this BSN track offers students a solid foundation for a successful nursing career.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's eLine Military BSN program offers a specialized online nursing pathway for service members transitioning to civilian healthcare roles. Designed with military personnel's unique needs in mind, this program combines flexible online learning with structured clinical experiences in Corpus Christi. Admission requires a competitive GPA, HESI A2 exam scores, and prerequisite courses. The curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam while accommodating military commitments. Students benefit from comprehensive support, including potential financial aid and scholarships. The program's innovative approach ensures military students can pursue nursing education without compromising their service obligations.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's online eLine BSN program provides a flexible pre-licensure pathway for aspiring Registered Nurses. This innovative curriculum blends online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences in the Corpus Christi area. Students must complete on-site clinical requirements, ensuring practical skill development. Admission is competitive, requiring a minimum GPA and HESI A2 exam scores. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and comprehensive patient care, preparing graduates for successful NCLEX-RN examination. With a focus on flexibility and rigorous training, this BSN track offers students an accessible route to a nursing career without compromising educational quality.
Concentration: Military - Online Learning - Visit Website
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's Military-Focused eLine BSN program delivers a specialized online nursing education tailored for military personnel. This unique curriculum combines academic rigor with practical clinical experiences, strategically designed to accommodate service members' professional goals. Admission requires a 2.4 GPA in the last 60 credit hours, a 2.25 science GPA, and specific HESI A2 scores. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam while emphasizing evidence-based practice and hands-on learning. Clinical experiences in Corpus Christi ensure students develop critical skills for diverse healthcare settings, making this an ideal pathway for military professionals seeking a nursing career.
Prairie View, TX - Public 4-Year - pvamu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Prairie View A&M University's BSN program offers a comprehensive four-and-a-half-year pathway for aspiring nurses, strategically designed to prepare students for professional nursing roles. The curriculum integrates prerequisite courses with rigorous upper-division clinical studies, providing flexibility through potential credit transfers and distance education options. With a strong focus on RN preparation, students can complete the program on-campus or through hybrid learning formats. The program uniquely supports both traditional students and licensed nurses seeking advancement, ensuring graduates are well-positioned to take the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue diverse healthcare career opportunities. ACT or SAT entrance exams are required for university admission.
Concentration: LVN-BSN - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Tailored specifically for Licensed Vocational Nurses, Prairie View A&M's LVN-BSN Concentration delivers a dynamic hybrid learning experience that bridges professional development and academic advancement. This innovative program enables LVNs to seamlessly transition into a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Nursing through a flexible online and campus-based curriculum. Emphasizing clinical skills, leadership, and evidence-based practice, the program prepares students comprehensively for the NCLEX-RN exam. Designed for working professionals, students can complete upper-division studies within five years, creating an accessible pathway for career progression in healthcare without disrupting current employment.
Concentration: RN-BSN - Online Learning - Visit Website
Prairie View A&M's RN-BSN Concentration provides registered nurses an accelerated online pathway to advance their nursing education. This strategically crafted 12-month program empowers RNs with associate degrees or diplomas to elevate their professional credentials efficiently. The curriculum delves into advanced nursing practices, leadership strategies, and research methodologies, positioning graduates for higher-level healthcare roles. Specifically designed for working professionals, the program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing nurses to pursue academic growth without compromising their current employment. Admission requires an active RN license and completion of prerequisite coursework, ensuring a streamlined and focused educational experience.
Keene, TX - Private 4-year - swau.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southwestern Adventist University's BSN program offers a robust pathway into nursing with exceptional academic preparation. Located in Keene, TX, the program distinguishes itself through intimate learning environments and strategic clinical partnerships with DFW Metroplex hospitals. Students benefit from a rigorous curriculum emphasizing comprehensive patient care skills, backed by an impressive 94% NCLEX pass rate. ACT or SAT entrance exams are likely required for admission. The accelerated five-semester track enables rapid professional entry, complemented by personalized mentoring and strong job placement outcomes. Financial support options and competitive admissions ensure a selective, high-quality educational experience for aspiring nursing professionals.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southwestern Adventist University's LVN to BS Nursing program provides licensed vocational nurses an advanced educational pathway with Christian-centered learning. Designed for working professionals seeking career progression, the campus-based curriculum emphasizes clinical judgment and comprehensive patient assessment techniques. Students engage in hands-on training within top DFW Metroplex hospitals, benefiting from small class sizes and personalized mentoring. The program features twice-yearly cohort intakes, ensuring flexibility for working nurses. With a proven track record of high NCLEX pass rates and 100% job placement, this program offers a strategic approach to nursing career advancement through comprehensive, practical educational experiences.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Southwestern Adventist University's online RN to BS Nursing program delivers a flexible, accelerated educational experience for registered nurses seeking professional advancement. Completed within 40 weeks at an affordable $7,500, the program requires an active RN license, minimum 2.5 GPA, and prerequisite course completion. CCNE-accredited and approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, this fully online format accommodates working professionals through convenient 8-week modules. Students benefit from a competitive curriculum designed to enhance job market potential and salary opportunities. With multiple start dates and comprehensive professional preparation, the program provides a strategic pathway for nurses seeking to elevate their academic and professional credentials.
The Woodlands, TX - Public 4-Year - lonestar.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lone Star College's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program represents a comprehensive pathway for aspiring nursing professionals. The campus-based curriculum meticulously prepares students for the RN State Licensure Examination through an integrated approach of lectures, laboratory training, and clinical experiences. Rigorous admission requirements, including physical examinations, immunizations, and CPR certification, ensure students are thoroughly prepared for healthcare challenges. Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, the program emphasizes safe nursing practices, professional conduct, and hands-on learning. Students gain critical skills and knowledge essential for launching successful nursing careers in diverse healthcare environments.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lone Star College's LVN/LP to ADN Transition Track offers licensed vocational nurses an accelerated pathway to advanced nursing credentials. This strategic program enables LVNs to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing while preparing for the RN State Licensure Examination. The curriculum integrates comprehensive lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences, focusing on professional development and adherence to Texas Board of Nursing standards. Requiring current LVN licensure, immunizations, CPR certification, and health insurance, the program ensures students meet rigorous professional requirements. Graduates emerge with expanded clinical competencies and enhanced career opportunities in the dynamic healthcare landscape.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Lone Star College System's RN-to-BSN program provides an innovative hybrid learning pathway for working nurses seeking professional advancement. This ACEN-accredited curriculum offers flexible one and two-year completion options, strategically designed to enhance nursing leadership and patient care strategies. Located at LSC-Montgomery, the program uniquely blends online coursework with practical experiences, enabling registered nurses to elevate their clinical expertise. With a focus on professional development, the program prepares graduates for advanced healthcare roles while accommodating the demanding schedules of working professionals. The application process opens in February 2025, offering a strategic opportunity for nurses to transform their career trajectories.
Edinburg, TX - Public 4-Year - utrgv.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's BSN program offers a comprehensive four-semester pathway into professional nursing. Designed to cultivate critical thinking and holistic care skills, the campus-based curriculum integrates classroom learning, laboratory work, and extensive clinical experiences. Students prepare comprehensively for the NCLEX-RN examination, gaining expertise in diverse healthcare environments. The program emphasizes leadership development and prepares graduates to meet Texas nursing licensure requirements. Admission involves meeting specific academic standards, with program entry opportunities in both Spring and Fall semesters. Students benefit from hands-on training and a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with practical nursing skills.
Concentration: 2nd Degree - Campus Based - Visit Website
UTRGV's Second Degree BSN concentration provides an accelerated nursing education pathway for career changers. This specialized four-semester program strategically integrates advanced theoretical knowledge with practical clinical skills, targeting professionals transitioning into nursing. Candidates must complete prerequisite courses and meet specific admission criteria. The curriculum emphasizes cultural competence, leadership development, and comprehensive patient care strategies. Students receive thorough preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination and Texas nursing licensure. Financial support options, including scholarships and aid, enhance program accessibility. The concentrated format ensures efficient professional development with rigorous academic and clinical training.
Concentration: RN to BSN - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's RN to BSN online program offers registered nurses a flexible pathway to advanced professional development. Tailored for working healthcare professionals, this program enhances nursing practice through evidence-based learning and leadership training. The curriculum focuses on critical thinking, cultural competency, and advanced care strategies. Designed with working nurses in mind, the online format provides scheduling flexibility while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Admission requires an active RN license, and the program serves as an excellent foundation for potential graduate studies. Students gain comprehensive skills to elevate their nursing practice and expand career opportunities.
Texas’s LVN programs pair classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. This hands‑on training prepares students to administer medications, monitor vital signs, and support patient recovery before sitting for the NCLEX‑PN exam to earn state licensure. Upon graduation, LVNs strengthen Texas’s practical nursing workforce, easing RN and physician workloads and enhancing access to quality care across both metropolitan centers and rural communities.
Texas’s CNA offerings span six to twelve weeks, merging classroom lessons on infection prevention, patient comfort, and vital‑sign recording with clinical practicums. Learners gain proficiency in feeding support, bathing assistance, and mobility aid while mastering documentation protocols. After certification, CNAs step into roles that underpin daily care workflows across healthcare settings. Their contributions help licensed nurses focus on advanced clinical responsibilities.
Texas’s RN to BSN pathways blend interactive online coursework in nursing leadership, community and population health, informatics and healthcare policy with supervised practicum rotations in both metropolitan hospitals and rural clinics. Offered in part-time and accelerated tracks, they enable working RNs to advance their education without pausing their careers. Earning a BSN expands competencies in evidence-driven practice and care coordination, meets employer and accreditation benchmarks, and unlocks opportunities in specialty certification, leadership and public health roles statewide.
Texas’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a BSN with two- to four-year MSN and DNP tracks that blend advanced coursework and hands-on clinical rotations in family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats at universities and health systems statewide, they prepare nurses for APRN certification and Texas licensure. Graduates step into roles as primary care providers, chronic disease managers, and telehealth clinicians in major centers like Houston and Dallas, as well as rural clinics across West Texas and the Panhandle. By bolstering advanced-practice capacity in both urban and underserved regions, these programs strengthen Texas’s healthcare network.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Very common statewide, BSN preferred in major hospital systems |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Texas |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | Not a BSN-in-10 state, hospitals often require BSN completion within a few years |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs require physician collaboration |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs limited by reduced practice authority laws |
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Concentration: L.V.N. to A.D.N. - Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: EMT Paramedic to RN Track - Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: Community Health Nursing - Online & Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: LVN-BSN - Online & Campus Based - Website
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