Accelerated BSN Programs in Texas
There are many accelerated BSN nursing programs offered in Texas. These fast-track nursing programs are a way for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject to secure an education that prepares you for examination, licensure and work as a Registered Nurse. The first step to finding an accelerated BSN program in Texas is to request information from the nursing schools in your area, so that you can review the information and decide which BSN nursing programs you would like to apply to.
We have compiled a list of BSN nursing programs accessible to you in Texas. Feel free to request information from as many schools as you’d like, and keep in mind that the featured schools offer distance learning and online options which may be more flexible than traditional programs. You can also use the quick search box to find additional programs that meet your preferences.
The colleges and universities in Texas that offer accelerated BSN programs help prepare aspiring nurses to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, ambulatory care settings and home healthcare. These schools are also taking steps to follow some of the key recommendations from a Strategic Action Plan to Increase the Supply of RNs in Texas by 2020. This means there is a focused effort to expand BSN nursing programs in Texas to fit the needs of students like you. As a second degree nursing student, you can help bridge the gap between the supply and demand for nurses in Texas, while starting a rewarding and fulfilling career.
Overview of the Accelerated BSN Nursing Programs in Texas
Accelerated BSN programs provide students who already have a non-nursing degree with a relatively quick route to becoming an RN. These programs build on previous undergraduate work, and students receive credit for general college courses such as English, social sciences, math and biology they have already taken.
Students then take a comprehensive sequence of clinical and nursing theory classes designed to prepare them for the NCLEX, which is the mandatory licensing examination required for a nursing program graduate to become a Registered Nurse.
Admission into a Texas accelerated BSN program requires a four-year degree from an accredited institution. In addition, each school has required prerequisites to officially be accepted into the accelerated BSN program. Typical prerequisites include chemistry, microbiology and nutrition. To help applicants meet the prerequisites requirements, schools offer the prerequisite courses back to back before the formal program begins.
The Curriculum of an Accelerated BSN Program in Texas
The curriculum for a second degree BSN program is intense and requires a full-time schedule. On average, it takes about 10 to 15 months to complete the program.
Common courses include:
- Nursing Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Current Issues in Nursing
- New Technology in Nursing
- Anatomy and Physiology
Students are also required to complete clinical practicums in healthcare settings. Clinicals usually make up approximately 100 hours of course work, and allow nursing students to put what they learn in the classroom into actual nursing situations.
Students who are enrolled in online programs are also required to complete practicums. Accredited online accelerated BSN schools in Texas often have partnerships with hospitals and medical clinics in the student’s local area for placement. The main advantage of taking a BSN nursing program online is that you can often complete the courses according to your schedule. After completion of all course study and practicums, you are then eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam. You must pass the NCLEX exam to be licensed as an RN in Texas. According to the Texas Board of Nursing, RN’s must demonstrate continual competency by taking continuing education classes after licensure.
Career Path, Job Outlook and Salary
The Accelerated BSN program prepares nurses to work with a variety of populations, including neonatal, geriatric, pediatric and the mentally ill. Positions are available in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including home healthcare, assisted living facilities, medical centers, travel nursing and schools.
The future job outlook for nursing professionals is good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017), RNs in Texas earn a mean wage of $70,390 annually, with both the Houston and the Dallas metro areas enjoying some of the highest nurse employment levels in the United States.
The demand for RNs is expected to continue to grow at a rate of 26 percent (BLS, 2017) through 2020. An aging population, advanced medical techniques and a strong focus on preventative healthcare are all causing this positive growth. As a matter of fact, the projected growth well outpaces many other industries.
Earning your bachelor’s degree in nursing through an accelerated BSN nursing program in Texas is an effective way to enter nursing as a new career, without losing the experience and college credits you already earned. Request information today from top BSN schools in Texas, so that you can begin the process of researching all the available options for earning your second degree as a nurse. If you have additional questions, or would like to know more about nursing as a profession, please check out the Texas Board of Nursing, or email us at [email protected]. We are happy to help in any way as you embark upon your nursing education.
