How To Become a Nurse in Texas 2025
There are multiple degree pathways to become a registered nurse in Texas. This article reviews licensure requirements, accredited nursing programs, and nursing job outlooks.
Nursing is a healthcare profession that offers many opportunities for career growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for registered nurses (RNs) will increase by 6% each year for the next decade. This steady expansion makes the nursing profession the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. economy.
This article explains the fundamentals of how to become a nurse and the steps required in Texas. We explore job roles, the steps to earn your RN licensure, and accredited nursing school programs. Read on to learn more about what sort of continuing education you'll need to launch your nursing career.
What Does an RN Do?
<p>A <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Requirements_to_Be_a_Certified_Registered_Nurse.html">certified registered nurse</a> has a broad scope of responsibilities. RNs provide direct patient care, collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals, and promote health and wellness plans with patients and their families. An RN manages tasks including:
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<ul><li>administering medicine and treatments
</li><li>operating medical devices and equipment
</li><li>observing and recording patients' symptoms
</li><li>assessing patients' physiological conditions
</li><li>teaching patients and their caregivers how to manage healthcare at home
</li></ul><h2 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToBecomeANurseInTexas">How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Texas?</h2>
<p>Your timeline to becoming a registered nurse depends on your degree goals and any prior education or experience. For example, an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically takes two years to complete on a full-time basis. A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes four years in full to complete.
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<p>If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you can opt for a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/12_month_accelerated_nursing_programs_texas.html">12-month accelerated nursing program</a> to earn your accelerated BSN (also known as an ABSN). If you are already a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), you can enroll in an LVN to RN bridge program and earn your ADN in about one year.
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<h2 id="section---3StepsToBecomeARegisteredNurseInTexas">3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Texas</h2>
<p>The following steps outline the basic <a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_education_do_i_need_to_become_nurse.html">educational requirements for nurses</a> needed to earn your RN license in Texas.
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<h3 id="section---Step1EnrollInANursingProgram">Step 1: Enroll in a Nursing Program</h3>
<p>To be eligible for a Texas nursing license, you must complete an accredited nursing program approved by the <a href="https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_endorsement.asp.html#">Texas Board of Nursing</a> (BON). Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). You must either earn your ADN or your BSN degree.
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<h3 id="section---Step2TakeTheNurseLicensureExam">Step 2: Take the Nurse Licensure Exam</h3>
<p>After graduating, you'll be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN is administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers around the state of Texas.
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<p>The NCLEX-RN tests nursing candidates for knowledge in four main areas: health promotion and maintenance, safe and effective care environments, physiological integrity, and psychosocial integrity. Candidates receive a passing or failing grade on the NCLEX-RN, as the exam is not graded on a numerical scale.
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<h3 id="section---Step3SubmitYourApplication">Step 3: Submit Your Application</h3>
<p>You must submit your license application to the Texas Board of Nursing. You'll need to submit a variety of forms, including an affidavit of graduation and a confirmation that Texas is your primary state of residence.
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<p>You will also need to undergo a criminal background check, which you can complete through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Your background check results will be sent directly to the Texas Board of Nursing.
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<h2 id="section---TopNursingDegreeProgramsInTexas">Top Nursing Degree Programs in Texas</h2>
<p>The following nursing education programs are accredited by either the ACEN or CCNE and approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_nursing_programs_texas.html">Online nursing programs</a> offer flexibility to students looking for distance learning options.
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<h3 id="section---1.DallasCollege">1. Dallas College</h3>
<p>Dallas College is a large public school based in Dallas, TX, and offers its ADN program on four different campuses: Mountain View, Brookhaven, El Centro, and North Lake. This full-time associate degree program includes nursing lectures, skills labs, and clinical experiences. Nursing students gain hands-on experience early on, with hospital rotations beginning the first semester after admission.
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<p>The ADN program is four semesters total and takes two years to complete. Financial aid is available through grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs.
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<ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $169 per credit (in-state); $250 per credit (out-of-state)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</li></ul><h3 id="section---2.SouthTexasCollege">2. South Texas College</h3>
<p>South Texas College is a public school with a two-year ADN program. All coursework for this degree program is conducted in person at its campus in McAllen, TX. The curriculum and clinical rotations prepare graduates to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home healthcare agencies, and beyond.
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<p>Graduates of South Texas College's ADN program average a 98% first-time pass rate on their NCLEX-RN. More than 96% of graduates secure nursing jobs after earning their degree and passing the NCLEX-RN.
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<ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $174 per credit (in-state); $254 (out-of-state)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</li></ul><h3 id="section---3.NorthCentralTexasCollege">3. North Central Texas College</h3>
<p>North Central Texas College (NCTC) in Gainesville, TX, offers another ADN program for aspiring registered nurses. NCTC's associate degree program trains students to provide compassionate care and evidence-based treatment, advocate for patients, and work collaboratively on healthcare teams.
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<p>Students who are active licensed vocational nurses can enroll in its LVN to RN transition program. This program follows the same curriculum as the ADN program; LVNs move directly into nursing theory courses following a bridge course.
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<ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $212 per credit (in-state); $317 per credit (out-of-state)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</li></ul><h3 id="section---4.UniversityOfTexas">4. University of Texas</h3>
<p>Based in Austin, TX, the University of Texas has a traditional BSN program designed for full-time students. Texas's BSN program consists of practical and theoretical coursework and emphasizes critical thinking, implementing evidence-based nursing practices, clinical judgment, and leadership. Nursing students gain clinical experience in a variety of local hospitals and community healthcare settings.
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<p>Financial support is available via federal and student loans, grants, and scholarships. Texas also has nursing-specific financial aid, like its School of Nursing scholarship.
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<ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $12,040 per year (in-state); $47,868 per year (out-of-state)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE
</li></ul><h3 id="section---5.TexasAMUniversity">5. Texas A&M University</h3>
<p>Texas A&M University (Texas A&M) is a large public school with a traditional BSN track. Texas A&M offers its BSN program on its Bryan-College Station campus. Coursework is mainly conducted in person and includes classes like building healthy communities, maternal and child health, and writing for nursing professionals.
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<p>Nursing students may receive financial aid (e.g., grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs). Texas A&M offers special scholarships to veterans and active military members.
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<ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $12,413 per year (in-state); $40,307 per year (out-of-state)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE
</li></ul><h2 id="section---SalaryAndJobOutlookForNursesInTexas">Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Texas</h2>
<p>There is a high need for professional nurses across the U.S. The <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-5">BLS</a> projects that nursing job opportunities will grow by 194,500 each year for the next decade.
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<p>According to the BLS, the national median wage for nurses is $93,600. A nurse's annual salary varies depending on the level of education and area of specialty. Leadership roles typically pay higher salaries. For example, an RN who holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will earn more than an RN with an associate degree.
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<h2 id="section---FAQsAboutHowToBecomeANurseInTexas">FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Texas</h2>
<p>This section addresses commonly asked questions about becoming a nurse in Texas, covering topics like nursing degree costs, annual salaries, and more.
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<h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesANursingDegreeCostInTexas">How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Texas?</h3>
<p>Nursing degree costs vary greatly, depending on the degree program, chosen school, and any financial aid awarded. For example, ADN programs are generally the least expensive degrees to earn. Public colleges and universities tend to be less expensive than private schools, especially as they offer reduced tuition rates for in-state students.
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<p>That being said, a general range for nursing degrees is between $4,000 for the cheapest ADN programs and $20,000 or more for accelerated BSN programs. You can keep your education costs low by applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and enrolling in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_texas.html">online colleges that accept FAFSA</a>.
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<h3 id="section---WhatAreThePrerequisitesForANursingDegree">What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?</h3>
<p>Certain nursing degree programs have education prerequisites. These courses are generally science- and math-focused, including microbiology, nutrition, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology. You can complete many of these <a href="https://learn.org/articles/self_paced_nursing_prerequisites_online.html">self-paced nursing prerequisites online</a>. For a seamless online learning experience, consider investing in one of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_laptops_nursing_students.html">best laptops for nursing students</a>.
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<h3 id="section---WhatIsTheFastestWayToBecomeANurse">What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?</h3>
<p>The <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_way_to_become_a_nurse_texas.html">fastest way to become a nurse</a> for you depends on your prior experience and education. If you are already an LVN, you can complete an accelerated degree program and earn your ADN in 15 months or fewer. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major, you can enroll in an ABSN program and graduate in as quickly as one year.
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<h3 id="section---WhatIsTheEasiestNursingDegree">What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?</h3>
<p>Nursing is a challenging yet rewarding profession, and as such, nursing degree programs are intensive. The <a href="https://learn.org/articles/easiest_nursing_degree.html">easiest nursing degree</a> for you depends on your career goals and specialization interests. Completing an ADN program on a part-time basis may be considered relatively easy, as it is the shortest degree program and can be taken at a slower pace.
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<h2 id="section---FindANursingDegree">Find a Nursing Degree</h2>
<p>There are many types of nursing degrees available, both in-person and online. Connect with the featured schools on Learn.org to find out which will best support you on your nursing career path.</p>