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
The Traditional BSN program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is designed for students aiming to become Registered Nurses without prior nursing education. This on-campus program blends arts, sciences, and humanities to prepare graduates for critical clinical decisions. With a requirement of 115-117 credits, it includes core curriculum, first-year seminars, nursing support courses, and upper-division nursing major courses. Graduates can pursue careers in various healthcare settings. The program emphasizes a solid foundation for professional nursing, ensuring students are well-equipped for the challenges of the healthcare industry.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers an innovative eLine Military BSN program, designed for military personnel seeking a flexible path to a nursing career. This online program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical clinical experiences, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. With a focus on military needs, the program supports service members in transitioning to civilian healthcare roles. Admission requires a competitive GPA, HESI A2 exam scores, and prerequisite courses. The curriculum is tailored for those with military commitments, offering a blend of online learning and in-person clinicals in Corpus Christi. Financial aid and scholarships are available to eligible students, making this an accessible option for aspiring nurses.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers an online eLine BSN program designed for aspiring Registered Nurses. This pre-licensure program combines online coursework with clinical experiences in the Corpus Christi area. Students must complete clinical requirements on-site, with visits varying by semester. The program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission is competitive, requiring a minimum GPA and HESI A2 exam scores. The curriculum covers essential nursing skills, with a focus on evidence-based practice and patient care. Financial aid and scholarships may be available. The program is ideal for those seeking flexibility without compromising on hands-on clinical training.
Concentration: Military - Online Learning - Visit Website
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers an eLine Military BSN program tailored for military personnel seeking a flexible path to a nursing career. This online program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical clinical experiences, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Designed for those with military commitments, it offers the convenience of online learning while requiring clinical components in the Corpus Christi area. Admission requires a 2.4 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework, a science GPA of 2.25, and specific HESI A2 scores. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and hands-on learning, equipping graduates for diverse healthcare settings.
Prairie View, TX - Public 4-Year - pvamu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Prairie View A&M University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students for professional nursing roles across various clinical settings. This four-and-a-half-year program includes upper division clinical studies based on prerequisite courses, which can be completed at PVAMU or transferred from another accredited institution. Licensed nurses can pursue the BSN through a distance education program. The program also offers concentrations for RNs and LVNs seeking to advance their education. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses. Admission requires university admission as per the catalog, with specific prerequisites for each concentration.
Concentration: LVN-BSN - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The LVN-BSN Concentration at Prairie View A&M University is designed for Licensed Vocational Nurses seeking to advance their careers by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This hybrid program blends online and campus learning, offering flexibility for working professionals. It prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, a crucial step towards becoming a Registered Nurse. The program emphasizes clinical skills, leadership, and evidence-based practice, ensuring graduates are ready for diverse healthcare settings. Admission requires meeting lower division prerequisites, with upper division studies to be completed within five years. This program is ideal for LVNs aiming for higher education and professional growth in nursing.
Concentration: RN-BSN - Online Learning - Visit Website
The RN-BSN Concentration at Prairie View A&M University is designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their education. This online program allows RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 12 months. It builds on previous nursing education, focusing on enhancing professional skills for diverse clinical settings. The curriculum covers advanced nursing practices, leadership, and research, preparing graduates for higher-level roles or further studies. Admission requires an RN license and completion of prerequisite courses. This flexible, accredited program supports working nurses aiming to elevate their careers without sacrificing their current positions.
Keene, TX - Private 4-year - swau.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in healthcare. With small class sizes, personalized mentoring, and hands-on learning in top DFW Metroplex hospitals, students gain comprehensive patient assessment skills and clinical judgment. The program boasts a 94% NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement post-graduation. Admissions are competitive, with two cohorts accepted annually. The BSN program can be completed in five semesters, offering a fast track to entering the nursing profession. Financial aid and scholarships are available to eligible students.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX, offers an LVN to BS Nursing program designed for licensed vocational nurses seeking to advance their careers. This campus-based program emphasizes small class sizes, personalized mentoring, and hands-on learning in top DFW Metroplex hospitals. With a Christian perspective, it prepares nurses for comprehensive patient care. The program boasts a high NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement post-graduation. Admission requires meeting specific criteria, with cohorts starting twice a year. The curriculum focuses on developing clinical judgment and patient assessment skills, ensuring graduates are ready for the nursing profession's challenges and opportunities.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Southwestern Adventist University offers an online RN to BS Nursing program designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers. This flexible program can be completed in just 40 weeks for $7,500, with courses offered in 8-week modules. Admission requires an associate degree or diploma in nursing, an active RN license, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and completion of prerequisite courses. The program is accredited and fully online, providing a convenient option for working nurses. Graduates gain a competitive edge in the job market and potential for higher salaries.
The Woodlands, TX - Public 4-Year - lonestar.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lone Star College in Texas offers an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program designed for aspiring nurses. This campus-based program prepares students for the RN State Licensure Examination with a curriculum that includes lectures, labs, and clinical experiences. Admission requires a physical exam, immunizations, CPR certification, and health insurance. The program emphasizes safe nursing practices and professional conduct. With a focus on hands-on learning, students gain the skills needed for a rewarding nursing career. The Texas Board of Nursing approves the program, ensuring quality education and training.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lone Star College's LVN/LP to ADN Transition Track offers a pathway for licensed vocational nurses to advance their careers by earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. This program prepares students for the RN State Licensure Examination, blending lecture, lab, and clinical experiences. Requirements include a current LVN license, immunizations, CPR certification, and health insurance. The program emphasizes professional development and adherence to Texas Board of Nursing standards.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The RN-to-BSN program at Lone Star College System in Texas offers a flexible hybrid learning model, ideal for working nurses seeking advancement. This ACEN-accredited program provides one and two-year completion options, with classes starting each fall. Located at LSC-Montgomery, it combines online coursework with practical experiences. Applicants must meet prerequisites, with the application opening in February 2025. The program is designed to enhance nursing skills, leadership, and patient care strategies, preparing graduates for higher-level roles in healthcare settings.
Edinburg, TX - Public 4-Year - utrgv.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley prepares students for professional nursing roles in diverse healthcare settings. This campus-based program combines classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical experiences over four semesters. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become registered nurses in Texas. The curriculum focuses on critical thinking, holistic care, and leadership, ensuring graduates are ready to meet the demands of the nursing profession. Admissions requirements include meeting specific academic criteria, and the program starts each Spring and Fall, offering a clear path to a rewarding nursing career.
Concentration: 2nd Degree - Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a concentration for second-degree students, designed to fast-track graduates into the nursing profession. This campus-based program integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills in diverse healthcare settings. It prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, leading to licensure in Texas. The program emphasizes critical thinking, cultural competence, and leadership in nursing. Admission requires meeting specific criteria, including prerequisite courses. The program spans four semesters, offering a comprehensive curriculum that covers patient care, health assessment, and nursing ethics. Financial aid and scholarships are available to eligible students.
Concentration: RN to BSN - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers an RN to BSN concentration within its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their education. This online program emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, and culturally competent care, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare settings. It integrates theory, research, and practical skills, offering a foundation for graduate study. The program is tailored for working professionals, providing flexibility with online coursework. Admission requires an RN license, and the curriculum focuses on enhancing nursing practice through evidence-based care and leadership skills.
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: Community Health Nursing - Online & Campus Based - Website
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