Learn About Fort Worth Nursing Schools
Fort Worth, Texas is located in Tarrant County, which is about a 35 minute drive to Dallas. This town of rolling hills and the popular Metroplex, has a population of over 700,000 making it a central hub in the Texas economy. This is apparent to the Texas Team Advancing Health Through Nursing, which is a nursing advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the role of nurses within the Texas healthcare system. Economists agree that expanding the scope of practice of nurses in Texas can positively impact the state, which makes it a great time to look into nursing programs in Fort Worth, Texas.
Whether you are an experienced nurse looking to expand your education or if you are just entering the profession of nursing, BestNursingDegree.com is a great resource for finding the nursing schools in Fort Worth, Texas that offer the programs you need. If you cannot find the right school in Fort Worth, there are more opportunities for getting a nursing degree in Texas
Nursing Schools in Fort Worth
As a result of the need for well-educated nurses, Fort Worth nursing schools have expanded many programs to include those that make it easy for practicing nurses to get a higher degree with ease. The University of Texas Arlington won the 2012 Star Award for their online RN to BSN program which has allowed thousands of nurses to transition to a Bachelor’s degree easily. UT-Arlington also offers the following nursing degrees:
- BSN degree program (RN to BSN program)
- MSN
- Nursing Administration
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Education
- PhD
- DNP
If you are looking to become a nurse, Tarrant County College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission in nursing and has a two year Associate Nursing degree program. They also offer a fast track program for Licensed Vocational Nurses, which may be completed in 15 months. Brookhaven College has an affordable program to complete an Associate’s of Science in Nursing degree, which then allows you to go on and earn your Bachelor’s degree from there.
TCU Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences is accredited and nationally recognized for their nursing program. This college is unique with their small class sizes, so they are able to spend more direct time with students. They offer the Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and the accelerated BSN program. They also have BSN-MSN programs and the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Nursing Practice-Anesthesia programs).
Curriculum, Costs, and Financial Aid of Nursing Programs in Fort Worth, TX
The University of Texas Arlington has a basic BSN program, an RN to BSN program and an Accelerated BSN program. The accelerated BSN program requires a student to have completed a minimum of 12 hours of the 16 hours required of natural sciences (includes anatomy & physiology, microbiology and chemistry), have a GPA of 2.75 or above, and have completed basic core courses. The prerequisite hours total 70 credit hours, which includes an upper division elective. Students are only allowed to work 15-20 hours weekly once they start the upper-division nursing program.
The typical nursing curriculum at any nursing school in the Dallas/Fort Worth area will include the following courses.
- Health Promotion and Illness Prevent Across the Lifespan
- Holistic Health Assessment
- Clinical Nursing Foundations
- Nursing Research
- Nursing of Adults
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
- Nursing of Older Adults
- Nursing of Adults with complex Needs
- Nursing of Children and Adolescents
- Nursing of the Childbearing Family
- Professional Nursing Trends
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Community Health Nursing
The University of Texas Arlington’s Nursing Administration Degree plan is similar to many graduate level programs and includes the following courses.
- Theory
- Research
- Role of Administrator
- Management Seminar
- Nursing Management
- Financial Management
- Management of Nursing Operations
- Nursing and Health Care Policy
- Thesis or Electives
If you need financial help when it comes to paying for school, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA application to determine if you qualify for federal or state grants. If you are a Texas resident but not a U.S. citizen you may submit the TASFA application to see if you are eligible for a state grant.
A Middle Income Assistance Grant offers awards usually between $500 and $2,800 for middle income families to finance higher education. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) gives awards between $100 and $3000. Financially eligibility is determined through the FAFSA application, and preference is given to those who quality for the Pell Grant.
Life and Career Options in Fort Worth
Fort Worth has one Magnet Hospital, the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital. It has been honored three times. This particular hospital offers specialized capabilities in oncology, trauma, cardiology and women’s services. As a nurse, working in a Magnet facility often results in better pay, a more empowered nursing workforce and a nursing environment that is based on evidence and research.
Hospitals in Fort Worth
Whether you choose to work in a hospital setting or in one of the many other healthcare facilities in the area, you can earn a respectable living as a nurse in the Ft. Worth area. Below, you will find the average salaries of many different career options in nursing.
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn $47,920 annually in Fort Worth according to the BLS (2016)
- The Registered Nurse’s annual salary is $72,900 in the Fort Worth metro. The highest percentage of nurses in this area work in general hospitals, specialty hospitals, outpatient care centers and home health care services.
- Nurse Practitioners in Fort Worth earn an average wage of $105,610. Nurse practitioners primarily work in physician offices, general medical and surgical hospitals and outpatient centers. The state of Texas has 6,690 licensed nurse practitioners working, with 680 in the Ft. Worth metro alone (BLS 2016).
While you are looking into Fort Worth nursing schools, you may also want to check into The Texas Nurses Association District Three (TNA3). This is an association that promotes nursing excellence by delivering pertinent tools for nurses to achieve quality patient care, full professional potential and career satisfaction. Other associations in the area include The Hospice and Palliative Nurse Association, Texas Nurses Association and Texas Emergency Nurses Association.
