How to Become a Registered Nurse in Texas

Texas map

Demand for qualified and professional nurses is on the rise in Texas.

Currently, 217,630 registered nurses are working in Texas, serving over 30 million people.

The pandemic and an increasing population continue to pressure healthcare organizations.

This has prompted an increase in employment opportunities for registered nurses in Texas.

If you’re interested in pursuing a nursing career, this is the best time to do it.

In this list are 5 of the best nursing schools in Texas offering traditional BSN and RN-BSN programs.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree opens you up to more opportunities and nursing specializations.

5 Registered Nurse Schools in Texas

1. University of Texas Health Science Center

University of Texas Health Science Center Logo

Downtown Houston is home to the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Here, you come across the Cizik School of Nursing.

It’s in the same building as the school of public health, medical school, and dentistry.

The school of Nursing is one of the oldest ones in Texas.

It all began in 1890 when the nursing program was created as a hospital training program.

There are 2 RN programs at the Cizik School of Nursing, including RN-BSN and RN-FNP.

The RN-BSN program is the best if you want to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Students can pursue the degree full-time or part-time to complete the 60 prerequisite hours.

It also requires 31 credit hours and 29 advanced placement hours.

The estimated cost of the RN-BSN at the Cizik School of Nursing is $10,577.

You can choose the 3-semester enrollment, which takes the least time to graduate.

The program is available online with flexible options when it’s time for enrollment.

2. Purdue Global University

Purdue Global University Logo

Purdue Global University has a flexible online program for working adults.

The online RN-BSN degree helps you save time and money while pursuing your Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

There’s also an option for students who want to pursue the degree the traditional way.

This means they can take 18 months to complete full-time studies at the university.

The RN-BSN degree at Purdue University accepts 135 credits towards the degree.

Students with 90 credits can commence their studies.

The RN-BSN helps students earn the credentials necessary when they want to pursue specialized nursing positions.

Get real-world experience while studying online in a flexible environment.

The program costs $280 per quarter credit hour.

Purdue Global University has accreditation from CCNE.

3. Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University Logo

The Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing admits both men and women who want to pursue RN-BSN.

This school has admitted boys into different programs since 1972.

However, the main focus remains on training women in different fields.

Students attending Texas Woman’s University have a chance to pursue a traditional BSN or an RN-BSN (online).

There’s also an option for a BSN Weekend/Evening program suitable for working adults.

Registered nurses with a diploma or associate’s degree can pursue the RN-BSN that’s 100% online.

Undergraduate admission for the traditional BSN and RN-BSN requires you to apply through NursingCAS.

NursingCAS allows aspiring nursing students to use one application available online.

Texas Woman’s University’s nursing program is affiliated with the Center for Global Nursing.

Tuition at the Texas Woman’s University when pursuing a traditional BSN is $6921.

Fees and Books & Supplies cost $3039 and $1050 respectively.

Accommodation when living on campus costs $10,368.

4. Walden University

Walden

Walden University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) completion program.

There are two ways to complete the degree at this university.

First, you can pursue a full-time traditional BSN.

Second, you can opt for the fully online RN-BSN.

The university partners with over 300 healthcare organizations and employers across Texas.

The partners offer nursing students different opportunities.

This degree follows a curriculum designed by nursing leaders with years of experience.

Get to learn how to provide quality patient care by mastering leadership skills and informatics concepts.

Applicants for the Bachelor of Science (RN-BSN) must meet set requirements.

That age limit is 21 years and older with a GPA of 2.0 and above.

Students under 21 can apply if they have 60 quarter credit hours.

The total estimated cost for RN-BSN is $12,483.

This breaks up into $335 per quarter hour.

5. Baylor University

Baylor University Logo

Head to Baylor University in Dallas, Texas, home to the Louise Herrington School of Nursing.

The school is based in a 4-story learning facility where active learning occurs.

Professors make it a point to engage students and use innovative learning techniques.

There are different programs available for nursing students at Baylor University.

These include Traditional BSN, RN-BSN, BSN-FACTBACC, and NCLEX-RN.

Get to train at a world-class teaching hospital and learn effective communication skills.

In-state students pay $50,232 for tuition and fees.

Out of State, nursing students pay the same, plus $1302 for books.

Registered Nurse Schools in Texas – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in Texas

School NameAddress
University of Texas Health Science Center7000 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Purdue University GlobalState Farm Insurance Company, 2550 Northwestern Ave Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Texas Woman's University304 Administration Dr, Denton, TX 76204
Walden University100 S Washington Ave Suite 1210, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Baylor University1311 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76706

How Much Do Nurses Earn in Texas?

Registered nurses in Texas earn an average of $38.04 per hour, leading to $79,120 per annum.

This amount is 4% lower than the national average.

Annual Salary Range:
$58K
$65K
$74K

Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in Texas

City NameSalary
Houston$68,070
Dallas$65,980
San Antonio$64,580
Austin$65,310
El Paso$58,090
Fort Worth$64,710
Arlington$64,600
Corpus Christi$62,330
Plano$65,690
Garland$65,840
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Texas

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Abilene, TX2,000$75,940$36.51$84,370$63,510
Amarillo, TX3,040$83,990$40.38$105,890$64,830
Austin-Round Rock, TX17,090$95,150$45.74$117,990$69,600
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX2,790$82,580$39.7$102,330$62,600
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX2,950$77,390$37.21$94,750$52,430
College Station-Bryan, TX4,050$84,510$40.63$94,640$63,290
Corpus Christi, TX4,060$82,460$39.65$100,190$61,050
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX72,910$94,240$45.31$117,390$66,560
El Paso, TX7,050$83,470$40.13$113,690$60,570
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX61,860$94,390$45.38$115,460$67,810
Killeen-Temple, TX5,260$88,680$42.63$109,410$62,400
Laredo, TX1,650$77,670$37.34$91,240$59,090
Longview, TX1,860$82,610$39.71$99,900$60,720
Lubbock, TX4,410$81,450$39.16$98,920$63,790
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX5,210$78,990$37.98$93,270$59,180
Midland, TX990$86,400$41.54$102,740$63,530
Odessa, TX980$82,630$39.73$103,870$58,330
San Angelo, TX1,400$79,880$38.41$93,850$63,720
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX22,140$88,880$42.73$108,660$63,480
Sherman-Denison, TX1,530$81,630$39.25$95,900$65,750
Texarkana, TX-AR1,520$74,520$35.83$101,510$51,660
Tyler, TX4,310$79,170$38.06$94,690$63,230
Victoria, TX1,120$82,140$39.49$96,130$61,620
Waco, TX2,360$84,450$40.6$104,060$62,650
Wichita Falls, TX1,350$78,670$37.82$85,460$62,700
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Registered Nurses, OCC Code 29-1141, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the highest-paid nurse position in Texas?

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is the highest paid person in Texas.

You can earn up to $195,610 per annum.

What’s higher than an RN?

Clinical Nursing has different levels, and the highest one is APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse).

It covers careers such as clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse, and nurse-midwife.

Which comes first in Texas, RN or BSN?

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree comes first in nursing.

This is followed by RN, where you become a registered nurse in Texas.

Is nursing school hard?

Nursing school is hard.

It requires lots of studying and practical work to pass and become a registered nurse.

How long does it take to become a nurse in Texas?

It takes 2 to 4 years to become a registered nurse in Texas.

If pursuing a traditional BSN, it takes 4 years until you graduate.

RN-BSN can take a shorter duration, depending on course structure.

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