Are you looking into switching careers by starting an Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas? There are a few different options to choose from, so it is essential to do your research. Don’t just select the first one you come across. Several considerations, after all, must be weighed to get a program that is right for you.
If you are considering a different field and already have a bachelor’s degree, an accelerated BSN will give you credit for the education you already have. Doing this will allow you to get your BSN degree at a faster rate.
Unlike the traditional learning route, an accredited initiative lets students complete their MSN or BSN degree faster. When you complete any of these programs, you instantly give yourself a jump start to a stable career as a nurse practitioner, RN, or in management or research positions in the field of healthcare.
What To Expect From A Standard Accredited BSN Or MSN Program
Designed to help you enter the healthcare workforce at half the time, Accelerated Nursing Programs are becoming a popular option in Texas. These courses are generally intended to be done over a shorter time without sacrificing the quality of education that learners receive.
Many educational institutions offer programs that are loaded with full-time coursework.
Should you, however, find yourself unable to commit your entire schedule, some schools do permit part-time learning. As a student, you are expected to fully participate in classroom lessons. This includes discussions, face to face learning, online coursework, and even simulated exercises.
Once you have completed the program, you are then qualified to take the NCLEX examination to gain licensure in the state.
Admission Requirements For Accredited BSN
Requirements for admission will vary from one school to the next. However, all schools will require potential students to have a bachelor’s degree in any field.
In keeping with current Texas laws, all students must pass a criminal background check and a drug screening. This is to be expected of any student who will be participating in any clinical exercise or experience, again, as stated in Texas laws.
As an example of university requirements, one should be expected when applying for Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas, here are the specifications from Baylor University:
- An existing bachelor degree in any field
- Official transcript of records from all educational institutions you have attended
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, based on a 4.0 scale
- Proof of liability insurance
- Drug screening
- Criminal background check
- Passing score in a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- A minimum score of 80 HESI A2 / Math and English Composite
Other Considerations
Cost Of Tuition
There is no one size fits all number for the cost of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas. Like any other university course, the actual cost will depend significantly on the program you choose and the school you prefer attending. The current average cost can easily range anywhere from $25,000 to $70,000, give or take.
Program Duration
The length of the program will also obviously vary from one nursing school to the other. Students can complete most courses in as little as 12 months, but some can take up to a year and a half to accomplish.
Courses
Every class included in the program you select will help you achieve your dream to be a registered nurse. These classes are designed to expand on your previous learnings while teaching you how to properly care for patients, whether individually or in a larger community setting.
Clinical Training
An integral part of the coursework is clinical training. This state required practice ensures that you can adequately put your knowledge and newly developed skills into use when faced with real-life situations.
Clinical training places students with patients under the close supervision of an experienced and licensed nurse. The school you are enrolled in may require completing a specific number of clinical hours before you are granted accreditation.
For instance, Baylor University requires all program participants to complete a total of 60 hours of residency.
Why Are People Switching To A Career In Nursing?
Perhaps the main reason many people have decided to switch over to a nursing career is salary. In Texas, an RN and a Nurse Practitioner’s average salary range from $70,000–$111,000.
It is quite evident from these figures that nurses enjoy higher pay. Of course, with the high salary comes a different working environment and workload.
Security is another reason lots of individuals have switched jobs. An increase in demand for healthcare professionals, affordable health insurance, and a growing population of aging folks across Texas has opened up many opportunities.
With global health issues on the rise, it is also no wonder that nurses’ needs are high. Thus, there is better job security in this career path.
Finding The Right School
With all that considered, here are some of the top universities you can look into for an Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas.
University Of Texas-Tyler (Tyler & Longview)
Nestled along the lake, this educational institution belongs to one of the seven colleges that make up the University of Texas-Tyler. The campus boasts a serene and picturesque location—a perfect environment for students to thrive in.
This school values critical thinkers while encouraging competence and lifelong learning. As a result, it ensures that students can gain enough opportunities to practice.
You can find a full-time 16-month Accelerated Nursing Program beginningevery spring semester at the campus of Tyler and Longview. The programs offered have a 93% success rate in passing the NCLEX-RN on the first try. Every semester, program graduates get the chance to experience many clinical settings for a total of 224 hours.
More importantly, students take advantage of networking opportunities through the National Student Nurse Association and Nursing Christian Fellowship groups.
Baylor University (Dallas)
Founded over a hundred years ago, the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing has continuously offered the best education that matches modern-day nursing requirements.
It is situated in the heart of downtown Dallas, this highly ranked school of nursing lives by its motto of Learn.Lead.Serve. Its central location has worked to the advantage of its student body and faculty.
A student can complete this summer program in 12 months’ time. The FastBacc BSN Track education provides both lab and classroom learning that is intensive. With a combination of online and hybrid formats, students can put their skills and learnings into practice through the accessible simulation laboratory.
University Of Texas Health Science Center (San Antonio)
Located in South Texas, the University of Texas Health and Science Center boasts of a variety of nursing programs that are not only innovative but are also taught by a large percentage of faculty members with stellar educational backgrounds themselves.
This affordable nursing program with tie-ups to significant health care facilities and San Antonio hospitals in the area is highly sought after. Available starting May of each year, Accelerated Nursing Programs in this university help prep students to provide diverse patient and nursing care across countless healthcare environments.
Concordia University Texas (Austin)
Concordia University is a Christ-centered non-profit educational institution located in the music capital of Austin. That said, their nursing programs center on fostering a nursing learning environment that centers on compassion and care.
It is an ideal learning ground for individuals seeking a faith-based education in a 16 month school year. This fast-paced curriculum includes online coursework, laboratory practice, and real-world training.
The university program for accelerated learning is made available to applicants thrice a year. Students who wish to enter the program can do so in January, May, or August.
The best part is that there is no waitlist so that you can start your education at the soonest possible time.
It is no surprise that the university’s flexibility is what makes it such a popular choice. To be eligible, students have required a minimum of 60 credits from prior education or completion of Concordia prerequisites that can be done online.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Lubbock & El Paso)
Not to be confused with the San Antonio campus, the Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center is a year-long fast-paced learning course intended to train nursing students.
The program is designed to provide a convenient online learning alternative to traditional classroom education. Since its first batch of graduates in 1979, this learning institution has grown in reputation.
Enjoy this Accelerated Nursing Program’s second degree through a fast-paced course intended to teach students in the nursing field to face challenges in the healthcare field head-on.
The program itself is three-semester learning, which includes basic nursing skills, acute care in nursing, nursing for mental health, and chronic care nursing concepts, to name a few.
Texas A&M University College Of Nursing (Bryan-College Station & Round Rock)
Established in 2008, the Texas A&M University College of Nursing is categorized as one of the nation’s top colleges. The college boasts of a 99% passing rate of first time NCLEX takers.
Its 1:10 student to faculty ratio ensures better learning and mentorship. A college initiative called Disaster Day has provided students with interdisciplinary learning in real-time. The practice has ensured that students can implement the knowledge and skills to respond to actual emergencies effectively and efficiently.
The 15-month long program is made available every spring and is a combination of traditional face to face classroom lectures, simulations, laboratory exercises, and online video lessons.
This four-semester program begins with the fundamentals of nursing care. It then moves onto the second semester that tackles care for adults, women, seniors, newborns, and families.
All students participating in the program must accomplish all 61 credited hours to attain a graduate degree from the Accelerated Nursing Program.
Texas Christian University (Fort Worth)
Also known as TCU, Texas Christian University was established in 1946. It was the first-ever nursing baccalaureate course to be offered in Texas. Students enrolled in this 16-month program are expected to complete a stringent course load over a short period. The university provides a selection of nursing courses in an educational setting taught by a group of committed advisors and faculty members.
The school’s small student to faculty ratio and its state of the art 15,000 square foot practice lab has allowed for an enhanced learning experience. All in all, students who choose to join the program can develop the critical thinking skills necessary for the medical field.
During the four-semester program, students will earn 59 credits along with an equal number of clinical hours that can be seen in a traditional learning setup.
Texas A&M University Of Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi)
No other university in Texas can offer its students a unique partnering of world-class education and a thrilling adventure. This is what the Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi has to offer.
Its 240-acre campus has a somewhat tropical destination feel to it. This semi-island vibe provides its students with a coastal atmosphere while still within proximity to Texas’s major cities.
Students of this university get to enjoy state of the art and ultra hi-tech simulation labs along with the integration of WebEX and Skype technologies. The innovative approach helps bridge the educational gap that leads to the development of a strong academic foundation, particularly for the Latin American population.
The four-semester BSN track is open for enrollment during the fall of each year. All students are expected to have an existing baccalaureate degree (any field) with a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.75 on a scalpel of 4.00.
Faculty mentorship for newcomers and sophomore students are available and will be provided by the university. Experienced management and faculty make the school’s intensive program conducive to excelling in a nursing career.
University Of Houston (Houston)
This BSN fast track admits new students every Spring semester. It is a year-long, full-time intensive educational program that caters to individuals in possession of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in other fields of education but who want to transition into the healthcare industry as registered nurses.
Like other Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas, the track is created to help facilitate a career change.
Students of this second-degree program are encouraged to take part in expanding their critical thinking skills. Utilize and demonstrate interpersonal communication through collaborative efforts with other students.
University Of Texas Austin (Austin)
A leader in transformative nursing education, the University of Texas Austin has been offering nursing courses since the 60s. Since then, the school has been carving a path in breakthrough research, collaborative partnerships, as well as community service.
Aside from the standard BSN programs, non-nursing graduates can also attain an accelerated MSN program through the Alternate Entry Master Science in Nursing course. It is a program that can be completed in just three years. Learning is divided into two sections: the first is the foundation and the second is the master’s coursework.
Students who are enrolled will find that their first year covers the basics that can help you prepare for the NCLEX-RN that grants those who pass licensure in Texas. The succeeding years will be focused on the completion of your Master’s curriculum.
There are three areas of specialization to choose from, namely: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Leadership in Diverse Settings.
Getting Your License
Once you have completed your Accelerated Nursing Program, you will have to take an exam. This exam is needed for a person to obtain a license that is required before being allowed entry into the healthcare field.
To do that, you will first have to apply for the license through the Texas Board of Nursing. Exam registration is necessary. The NCLEX-RN test is administered to everyone interested in joining the workforce as a registered nurse.
It is only after you have successfully passed the exam that licensure will be granted to you.
Where To Work
The majority of registered nurses prefer working in hospitals. This includes general patient care and emergency room assignments. The job is best for those who are willing to work long hours since hospitals are operational 24/7. Consider the long working hours, overnight duties, and holiday workload when thinking of working at a hospital.
Other alternatives are private practices, doctors’ offices, or company clinics. Work hours in these environments tend to follow a more predictable schedule. In most cases, a nine to five routine can be expected. Those searching for even more flexibility have turned to home health care services where the work is less taxing.
