Online Nursing Programs in Texas

Updated March 10, 2021

Many schools in Texas offer online nursing programs. The University of Texas - Arlington offers online degrees at both the graduate and undergraduate level for an affordable tuition rate. West Texas A & M University, another public school in the state, offers an online RN to BSN and an online RN to MSN with an NCLEX pass rate of 95.59%. Texas nurses must complete 20 continuing education hours during each two-year renewal period. Texas is a compact state, which allows nurses licensed in Texas to work in all of the other compact states.

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Comprehensive List of Online Nursing Schools in Texas

School Annual Tuition NCLEX Pass Rate Locations
# Abilene Christian University $34,850 89.39% Abilene
# Alvin Community College $3,936 92.41% Alvin
# Angelo State University $17,396 91.89% San Angelo
# Baptist Health System School of Health Professions $8,528 88.94% San Antonio
# Baylor University $45,542 94.55% Waco
# Blinn College $8,040 100.0% Brenham
# Chamberlain College of Nursing $19,375 88.32% Multiple Locations
# Concordia University - Texas $31,810 97.44% Austin
# Del Mar College $5,334 94.44% Corpus Christi
# Hardin-Simmons University $28,990 93.55% Abilene
# Houston Baptist University $32,530 83.17% Houston
# Howard College $5,420 100.0% Big Spring
# Lamar University $18,333 88.33% Beaumont
# Lubbock Christian University $22,440 Not Reported Lubbock
# McLennan Community College $3,990 87.04% Waco
# McMurry University $27,419 93.55% Abilene
# Midwestern State University $11,183 88.98% Wichita Falls
# National American University Online $10,575 85.71% Multiple Locations
# North Central Texas College $6,384 91.57% Gainesville
# Northeast Texas Community College $6,149 Not Reported Mount Pleasant
# Panola College $4,152 89.55% Carthage
# Pima Medical Institute $11,506 76.83% Multiple Locations
# Prairie View A & M University $24,843 89.41% Prairie View
# Sam Houston State University $18,256 99.09% Huntsville
# Schreiner University $27,960 100.0% Kerrville
# Southwestern Adventist University $21,564 88.24% Keene
# St Philip's College $13,830 Not Reported San Antonio
# Stephen F. Austin State University $18,276 97.3% Nacogdoches
# Tarleton State University $17,252 89.19% Stephenville
# Texas A&M International University $18,064 97.06% Laredo
# Texas A&M University-Central Texas $13,365 Not Reported Killeen
# Texas A&M University-College Station $37,495 99.26% College Station
# Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi $19,462 84.19% Corpus Christi
# Texas A&M University-Texarkana $19,392 100.0% Texarkana
# Texas Christian University $46,950 95.16% Fort Worth
# Texas State University $21,900 100.0% San Marcos
# Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center $18,916 96.04% Lubbock
# Texas Wesleyan University $30,300 Not Reported Fort Worth
# Texas Woman's University $17,756 95.7% Denton
# Trinity Valley Community College $5,970 90.32% Athens
# University of Houston $21,273 98.68% Houston
# University of Houston-Victoria $16,451 100.0% Victoria
# University of Mary Hardin-Baylor $28,650 95.92% Belton
# University of Phoenix $9,552 90.0% Nationwide
# University of St. Thomas - TX $33,580 88.57% Houston
# The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley $11,686 92.17% Edinburg
# The University of Texas at Arlington $26,533 94.38% Arlington
# The University of Texas at El Paso $22,629 97.63% El Paso
# The University of Texas at Tyler $21,282 91.75% Tyler
# The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio $12,719 97.99% San Antonio
# The University of Texas Medical Branch $17,564 98.67% Galveston
# The University of Texas Permian Basin $7,100 82.14% Odessa
# University of the Incarnate Word $31,484 100.0% San Antonio
# Wayland Baptist University $20,070 77.78% Plainview
# West Coast University $30,735 90.55% Multiple Locations
# West Texas A&M University $9,304 97.01% Canyon

Becoming a Nurse in Texas

The nursing profession in Texas is overseen by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Licensing and continuing education requirements are handled by the Texas Board of Nursing, which is part of the DSHS. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies projects a labor shortage in the industry through 2030, and Texas currently has the second highest level of employment for registered nurses, as of 2018. Nursing schools in Texas are abundant and offer locations throughout the state. Learn more about how to earn a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) license, registered nurse (RN) license, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, or certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification in Texas below.

How to Get Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certification in Texas

There are a few steps individuals must complete to be registered as a certified nurse aide in Texas. First, applicants must complete a state-approved nurse aide training program and a competency evaluation program. The Texas Health and Human Services department provides a complete listing of eligible programs for the CNA career path on their website.

Next, candidates must complete the competency evaluation program examination. For those who don't pass the exam the first time, they may retake the exam up to two times. However, if they don't pass it after three attempts, they must complete the coursework again. Alternatively, aspiring CNAs may qualify to be placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry either by waiver or reciprocity.

Unlike other Texas nursing licenses, CNAs don't have specific expiration dates on their certificates. However, they are required to contact the Nurse Aide Registry every two years to verify employment. This ensures CNAs keep an active license in the state.

How to Get a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) License in Texas

A Texas Licensed Vocational Nurse license requires graduating from an approved LVN training program. All applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process. Once the appropriate nursing program has been completed, aspiring LVNs should request that their school directly send notification of graduation. Then they can fill out an application either online or on paper and submit it with a $100 application fee.

In order to get a Texas nursing license, applicants must also pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam, along with the NCLEX-LN exam. But first, they must receive an authorization to test after submitting their application materials.

Texas LVN license renewal occurs once every two years. Along with the license renewal form, licensees must submit a fee of $42. LVNs must also complete the continuing competency requirements, which includes 20 contact hours. Renewal forms take two weeks to complete and must be postmarked by the last day of the month before the expiration in order to avoid late fees.

How to Get a Registered Nurse (RN) License in Texas

To become an RN, candidates must first graduate from an approved nursing program in Texas. After completion, the school sends an affidavit of graduation directly to the Texas Board of Nursing. Aspiring RNs can then submit an application along with a $100 fee. A criminal background check is also required in addition to passing results of the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. Candidates should also register to take the NCLEX-RN exam when they send their application to the board.

Once a candidate's application is approved by the board, the candidate may take the NCLEX-RN exam. Pearson Vue, the NCLEX test administrator, sends verification of the board's authorization to test, which is available for 75 days. Applicants will receive their RN licenses after they pass the NCLEX.

In Texas, RN license renewals occur every two years. Licensees must complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education in the RN's area of practice during that time. The alternative for this Texas nursing license is to demonstrate achievement of a board-approved national nursing certification, also within the RN's area of practice. Registered nurses must pay a $65 renewal fee every two years in addition to completing the continuing education requirements.

How to Get an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) License in Texas

The process to earn a Texas advanced practice registered nurse license requires either an RN license from Texas or from a state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Applicants must also complete a graduate-level APRN educational program at the graduate level that is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. It's also necessary to receive national certification in the role and population focus area that matches the applicant's program.

Aspiring APRNs must also complete at least 400 hours of practice in an advanced practice role within two years of completing the APRN program. An additional 20 or more contact hours are also required. When applying for this Texas nursing license, applicants must submit a $100 fee for APRN licensure, or $150 to also receive prescriptive authority.

Renewal for Texas APRNs happens every two years. The fee is $115 and licensees must maintain national certification in order to keep their APRN license active for the next renewal period.

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