2024 Rankings: The 90 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest

Texas Tech’s School of Nursing holds the National League for Nursing Center of Excellence designation for enhancing student learning and professional development. The university offers four undergraduate pathways: traditional, second degree, veteran-to-BSN, and a degree completion program for existing registered nurses. The school graduates approximately 350 prelicensure BSN students annually, and they have passed the NCLEX licensure exam at rates as high as 97% in recent years. Graduate offerings include nine MSN specializations, eight post-master’s programs, graduate certificates in global health and rural community health, and a DNP program designed for working professionals.

The UTMB School of Nursing is frequently ranked among the top twenty-five online graduate nursing programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report. In-person nursing students have access to the university’s new Health Education Center, which features a 77-bed simulated hospital and five floors of cutting-edge simulation facilities. The school’s prelicensure BSN program graduates more than 300 students annually, with a phenomenal 98% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past four years. UTMB also leads RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Seven MSN tracks are available including clinical nurse leader, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, and nurse educator. The university’s online DNP program is designed for working nurses, with eight semesters of study and a manageable load of just two courses per semester.

UT Arlington’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation is the largest producer of baccalaureate-educated nurses in the state. The school has approximately 17,000 online and on-campus students, and it holds three simultaneous NLN Center of Excellence designations. Undergraduates can pursue a traditional four-year BSN, a Veterans BSN for former military healthcare specialists, or an RN-to-BSN completion program for existing nurses. UT Arlington graduates over 600 prelicensure BSN students annually, who have achieved a 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. At the graduate level, nurses can pursue a number of MSN specializations including administration, education, and seven distinct nurse practitioner roles. The college also offers DNP and PhD programs.

The College of Nursing at the University of Arizona consistently ranks among the top 50 graduate nursing schools in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The college currently enrolls well over 1,000 nursing students, and its prelicensure graduates have posted excellent first-time pass rates on the NCLEX exam. For example, BSN graduates have passed the licensure exam at a 95% rate over the past decade, while graduates of the MSN for entry into the profession of nursing (MEPN) program have scored a 93% pass rate since inception. The University of Arizona has online offerings for students in the RN-to-MSN, DNP, and PhD pathways. Graduate certificates are also available for aspiring NPs in the fields of family health, adult-gerontology acute care, pediatric care, and psychiatric-mental health.

The University of Oklahoma is home to the state’s largest nursing program. Managed by the Health Sciences Center, the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing spans three campuses in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Lawton. The college offers four BSN options: traditional, accelerated, LPN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN. Prelicensure students across all three campuses enjoy strong NCLEX pass rates: over the past decade, Oklahoma City has posted a 91% pass rate, Tulsa 94%, and Lawton 89%. At the graduate level, OU offers MSN tracks in administration management, clinical nurse specialist, education, and family nurse practitioner, as well as DNP and PhD degrees.

Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing was established in 1909 and later became one of the earliest baccalaureate nursing programs in Texas. Through its belief that nursing is a calling, the school prepares nurses by integrating faith and excellent academics. LHSON offers several baccalaureate pathways including a traditional program, a FastBacc® (one-year accelerated) program, and an online Distance Accelerated BSN. The university graduates between 250 and 300 BSN students annually, with an excellent 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past decade. At the graduate level, Baylor offers an online DNP program with six tracks: executive nurse leadership, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, pediatric nurse practitioner, and the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN).

TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers both a traditional BSN and a 16-month accelerated BSN pathway. The school graduates approximately 200 students annually across the two programs, and collectively they have achieved NCLEX exam pass rates as high as 97% in recent years. TCU’s online MSN program offers two clinical nurse specialist areas of focus, in addition to clinical nurse leader and nurse educator options. The university also leads a post-master’s DNP program for advanced practice registered nurses and nurse administrators, as well as a BSN-to-DNP family nurse practitioner track.

The University of Tulsa’s Oxley College of Health Sciences has forged close relationships with three major metropolitan medical centers and a number of community healthcare agencies. The School of Nursing’s unique BSN program begins clinical experiences during the spring of sophomore year, which provides students five semesters to develop clinical skills instead of the usual four. The University of Tulsa has produced nearly 1,500 BSN graduates since 1973. The typical graduating class is small (perhaps two dozen students) and well-prepared for licensure, with a stellar 92% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Recently, the School of Nursing has added an RN-to-BSN track as well as a DNP program to better meet the healthcare needs of the Tulsa community.

Midwestern University’s College of Health Sciences has a long tradition in nurse anesthesia education. The college conducts both a three-year full-time entry into practice DNAP and a one-year full-time / two-year part-time DNAP completion program for existing CRNAs. Both programs are very selective, with an enrollment of just 30-34 students in each August cohort. The entry into practice program has enjoyed a 97% graduation rate and a 93% pass rate on the National Certification Examination (NCE) in recent years. The university maintains a high-fidelity simulation and cadaver laboratory, as well as a variety of clinical sites with practice settings limited to CRNAs. To complement its DNAP curriculum, Midwestern University recently launched a portfolio of new graduate nursing programs. The College of Health Sciences now offers two MSN concentrations (adult-gerontology and nurse leadership), two DNP specialty tracks (adult-gerontology and nurse executive), and an AG-PCNP post-master’s certificate.

The Baptist Health System School of Health Professions has trained students in healthcare for more than a century. The school offers two pathways to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in nursing (generic and LVN bridge), plus an RN-to-BSN degree completion program. The school’s NCLEX-RN performance is noteworthy: approximately 200-250 AAS graduates per year have scored a 90% first-time pass rate over the past decade. Baptist Health System’s AAS and BSN programs both hold programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The school also offers a one-year LVN diploma and boasts the #1 NCLEX-PN performance in Bexar County, with an impressive 96% first-time pass rate over the past decade.

The School of Nursing at Northern Arizona University promotes learning in a diverse range of environments, from simulation labs to healthcare facilities, traditional classrooms to online delivery. NAU undergrads have several options, including a traditional BSN at the Flagstaff, Tucson, and Yuma campuses; a 12-month accelerated BSN; an RN-to-BSN pathway; and a ten-person American Indian program offered within the Navajo Nation. The school graduates 140-150 prelicensure candidates annually, and they have achieved a solid 91% NCLEX exam pass rate over the past decade. NAU also offers several graduate nursing programs: an MSN with two tracks (nurse generalist and family nurse practitioner), a post-master’s FNP certificate, and a DNP degree.

The ACU School of Nursing prepares aspiring nurses by offering training exercises at the school’s simulation lab, clinical experiences at community hospitals, research assistant opportunities, and medical mission trips around the world. Students are mentored by faculty and practicing nurses who help to hone their technical and critical thinking skills. The school graduated its first class of traditional four-year BSN students in 2015. The graduating class of 2019 scored an impressive 96% pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam. Abilene Christian University also offers an online DNP program that features integrated practice learning experiences and two focal areas (advanced practice nursing, executive nursing leadership).

The Scott & White School of Nursing at UMHB offers programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Undergraduates have two options: a traditional four-year BSN and an online RN-to-BSN pathway. The traditional BSN conducts clinical experiences at local hospitals, and it provides numerous opportunities to train at the school’s Clinical Simulation Learning Center. This facility features a simulation hospital, a standardized patient clinic, a skills lab, and a physical diagnosis lab. More than 150 students complete the traditional BSN program each year. They have enjoyed a solid NCLEX pass rate of 87% over the past decade, including a stellar 96% pass rate in 2018 and 2020. Graduate nursing students at UMHB have several options. The MSN program offers nurse educator, family nurse practitioner, and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner tracks. The university also offers two doctoral nursing degrees: a post-master’s DNP and a doctor of education (EdD) focused on leadership in nursing education.

Creighton University recently opened a new 195,000-square-foot health sciences campus in Phoenix. The campus will house a four-year medical school as well as programs for nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistants. The university has already launched an accelerated BSN program for the Phoenix market in partnership with Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. St. Joseph’s was the first hospital in the Phoenix area and is nationally recognized for its quality tertiary care, medical education, and research. Applicants to the accelerated BSN program must hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher. The curriculum is streamlined and focused, enabling students to earn the BSN degree in just 12 months of fulltime study. Creighton offers both January and August start dates on its Phoenix campus.

UTEP Nursing has developed a wide variety of degree programs during its forty-year history. Undergraduates must first complete pre-nursing courses before progressing into either the traditional or fast-track BSN program. The school graduates 200-300 BSN students annually who have passed the NCLEX exam at rates as high as 97.6% in recent years. Existing nurses may enroll in the university’s 100% online RN-to-BSN program or one of several graduate pathways. UTEP offers three MSN majors (nursing education, nurse practitioner, nursing systems management), an MSN-to-DNP program, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences.

In 2008, West Coast University became the first privately held university in California approved to offer a BSN degree. The school now offers nursing and allied health programs across five cities including Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Ontario, and Orange County. WCU Dallas is dedicated entirely to higher education for nurses. It offers two campus-based programs: a traditional BSN and an LVN-to-BSN bridge program. Students can join global study trips to a range of international locations such as England, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, and Moldova. WCU also offers a full complement of online degrees, including RN-to-BSN / RN-to-MSN completion programs and MSN tracks in family nurse practitioner, nursing education, and nursing informatics.

Concordia University Texas seeks to develop Christian leaders across a broad range of more than twenty academic fields. The College of Nursing offers several pathways at both the undergraduate level (traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, online RN-to-BSN) and graduate level (traditional MSN, RN-to-MSN, RN+-to-MSN). Concordia’s undergraduates have a phenomenal track record on the NCLEX licensure examination, scoring a 98% first-time pass rate over the past six years. The MSN program has leadership, education, and informatics tracks, all of which may be completed entirely online.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is home to the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing. The school offers two undergraduate pathways (accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN) and an MSN degree. The accelerated BSN can be completed in four consecutive semesters, or just 16 months of fulltime study. Courses are taught in a combination of classroom and online settings. Since 2015, accelerated BSN students have achieved a solid 88% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. TTUHSC El Paso’s RN-to-BSN program is conducted entirely through web-based instruction, while its MSN program is delivered in a hybrid format designed to be completed in seven consecutive semesters.

Covenant School of Nursing (CSON) is the oldest nursing school in the South Plains. A member of Covenant Health, the region’s largest health system, the school has produced more than 4,500 nurse graduates. CSON awards a nursing diploma and prepares 110-140 students annually for the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination. These students have passed the exam at rates as high as 99% in recent years. CSON graduates have the option to enter the BSN completion program at nearby Lubbock Christian University, which requires just two additional semesters to finish.

Texas Wesleyan University’s School of Health Professions conducts the largest nurse anesthesia program in the country, with twenty primary clinical sites across nine states. The school’s nurse anesthesia graduates have achieved a 91% first-time pass rate on the NBCRNA certification exam over the past five years, with a stellar 99.6% pass rate within six months of graduation. In addition to the entry-level DNAP pathway for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, the university offers a 100% online completion program for CRNAs. Texas Wesleyan also recently launched a program for aspiring family nurse practitioners, with a unique curriculum that emphasizes both holistic patient care and self-care to prevent burnout and stress. FNP candidates can pursue an MSN degree, a DNP degree, or a post-master’s certificate.

The UT System Board of Regents recently formed UT Rio Grande Valley by consolidating the system’s Pan American (Edinburg) and Brownsville campuses. UTRGV’s nursing department maintains deep offerings in both locations, including a prelicensure BSN, an RN-to-BSN completion program, and three MSN tracks (nursing administration, nursing education, FNP). The school also offers a graduate certificate for aspiring psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. UTRGV graduates 100-200 prelicensure BSN students each year, who have achieved a strong pass rate of 87% on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past ten years.

The Department of Nursing at West Texas A&M University is a student-centered learning community that provides valuable hands-on experience through its on-campus Nursing Health & Wellness Clinic. The school offers multiple pathways at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduates can pursue a traditional prelicensure BSN degree or an online RN-to-BSN completion program. Prelicensure BSN graduates have a stellar 96% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduate students can choose from two MSN specializations: comprehensive nursing (offered online) and family nurse practitioner (delivered in a hybrid format). A post-master’s FNP certificate is also available.

Southern Nazarene University offers opportunities to specialize in many nursing areas, including community nursing, prenatal health, pediatric care, and gerontology. The School of Nursing conducts clinical experiences at a variety of local hospitals and agencies, and it boasts a 90% employment rate over the past five years. Nursing students can pursue a traditional BSN, an accelerated RN-to-BSN pathway, or an MSN degree with a major in either nursing education or nursing leadership. The traditional BSN program graduates a small class of approximately thirty students each year. These RN candidates have scored an 82% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.

Tarleton State University is a member of the Texas A&M University System. The school’s Department of Nursing has served students since 1976. TSU undergraduates have several options for pursuing a BSN degree, including a traditional four-year program and two alternate entry pathways (LVN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN). The BSN program has more than doubled in size since 2012 without sacrificing quality: students have averaged an 85% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The university’s MSN program also supports multiple entry points, including a traditional pathway for BSN-educated nurses and an RN-to-MSN pathway for ADN- or diploma-educated nurses. All nursing programs are available at Tarleton’s main campus, and the LVN-to-BSN pathway is also available at the school’s Waco campus.

A&M-Commerce is the second-largest institution in the prestigious Texas A&M University System, with satellite campuses in six Texas cities and a robust online presence. The university offers both a traditional prelicensure BSN and an RN-to-BSN completion pathway. The traditional BSN program is select, with just 30-50 students in each graduating cohort. These students have achieved a strong 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate since the program’s recent launch. The Nursing Department also offers an MSN curriculum with family nurse practitioner emphasis that students can complete in two years fulltime or three years part-time. The program’s hybrid delivery model combines online courses with web-enhanced on-campus modules.

WGU Texas offers a wide breadth of nursing programs. Traditionally an online university, Western Governors University recently launched a prelicensure BSN program in Texas with local clinical experiences that feature high-fidelity simulations, agency-based hospital rotations, and personalized guidance from an experienced clinical coach. Existing nurses can pursue several bridge programs (e.g., RN-to-BSN/MSN) and two MSN specializations (education, leadership) entirely online. The College of Health Professions also leads several online degree programs in adjacent healthcare fields, including a BS in health informatics, an MS in integrated healthcare management, and an MBA in healthcare management.

Since 1972, more than 3,000 men and women have graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma’s nursing program. The Department of Nursing offers a robust BSN program and recently launched one of just three public MSN programs in Oklahoma. The MSN is designed for working professionals with early evening classes, part- and full-time options, and a centrally located campus. The BSN offers three pathways: traditional four-year (the core of the program), LPN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN. UCO graduates approximately 100 prelicensure BSN students annually, and they have passed the NCLEX exam at a very strong and consistent rate of 91% over the past decade.

The OKWU School of Nursing prepares nurse generalists with knowledge of biological, physical, social, and behavioral sciences, enhanced by a background in the humanities and the Christian faith. Nursing pathways include three BSN programs (traditional, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN) and an MSN program with concentrations in nursing administration and nursing education. Prelicensure BSN graduates have averaged an 86% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past decade. The postlicensure RN-to-BSN and MSN programs are offered both on campus and online. Students in all programs obtain hands-on training through the school’s state-of-the-art simulation lab, a wide variety of clinical experiences, and mission trips to domestic and international destinations.

The School of Nursing at Sam Houston State University has several undergraduate options. A pre-nursing program provides foundational coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, algebra, statistics, nutrition, and psychology. SHSU offers two prelicensure BSN pathways: a traditional program for students with no nursing education or experience, and an LVN-to-BSN bridge for practicing LVNs who want to advance into the RN role. The university graduates 60-90 students annually across these two programs, with a solid 93% pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam since launch. Finally, SHSU offers a fully online RN-to-BSN program designed for working nurses who want to complete their baccalaureate education.

New Mexico State University’s School of Nursing offers degree programs at the BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD levels. The BSN program has three pathways: a traditional four-year prelicensure BSN, an online RN-to-BSN program for returning nurses, and an accelerated second degree option. NMSU graduates approximately 100 prelicensure BSN students annually, and these individuals have achieved a strong 88% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The MSN features a nursing administration track and is offered online, as are both doctoral degree programs. The DNP is structured as a practice-based program for nurses in advanced and senior positions, while the PhD has a research-based emphasis for nurses looking to enter leadership positions in education, practice, or health policy.

The Angelo State University Department of Nursing welcomes students attending college for the first time, those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, and practicing nurses who seek more leadership responsibilities. The university’s undergraduate curriculum offers a generic pathway to a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Students have access to the department’s high-fidelity simulation laboratory, which allows them to learn and practice new nursing techniques on life-like mannequins in a real-world setting. The BSN program graduates 60-70 students annually, who have averaged a 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate since the program’s launch. Graduate students can pursue either an MSN degree or a post-master’s certificate, both offered online and each with family nurse practitioner and nurse educator specializations.

Established in March 1869, Weatherford College is the oldest continuing community college in the southwestern United States. The college offers a vocational nursing certificate, two pathways to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in nursing, and an online RN-to-BSN degree completion program. The LVN certificate prepares students for entry-level positions in clinics, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. Approximately 40-60 students graduate from the LVN program each year, with a stellar 93% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade. The AAS program prepares students for more advanced positions in a range of healthcare environments. Weatherford College offers both a traditional four-semester track and an LVN-to-RN transition track. Across the two tracks, the college graduates approximately 150 students annually, with a strong 90% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past decade. The RN-to-BSN program provides a 12-month pathway for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma to earn a baccalaureate degree. The curriculum is delivered 100% online; courses that require clinical components are completed through class and preceptor projects.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University traces its roots back to 1897, when it was first established in Alva as a normal school. Today the university educates 2,000 students annually across more than forty areas of study. The Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing provides several pathways to a baccalaureate nursing degree. A prelicensure BSN program is offered on the flagship Alva campus as well as satellite campuses in Enid, Ponca City, and Woodward. Across these four locations, Northwestern graduates between thirty and forty prelicensure BSN students annually. These graduates have achieved an 83% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past decade. Existing nurses can enroll in the school’s RN-to-BSN program. The curriculum is delivered 100% online with flexible enrollment dates each fall, spring, and summer semester. In 2017, the Division of Nursing launched the university’s first doctoral program, a BSN-to-DNP pathway for aspiring family nurse practitioners. The inaugural cohort of twenty students is currently completing their studies.

The Wayland Baptist University School of Nursing offers a traditional BSN program, an LVN-to-BSN bridge, and an online MSN degree. The traditional BSN requires seven terms (or two years) of study after completion of the WBU general education core, with both November and May start dates. The LVN-to-BSN pathway is the only such program in San Antonio. Students can earn up to 11 hours of advanced placement credit for prior nursing education, enabling them to complete the degree in just six terms. The Wayland Baptist MSN combines a primary focus on curriculum development, teaching strategies, and adult learning with a secondary focus on business management.

Traditionally an online institution, Aspen University recently launched a hybrid prelicensure BSN program in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Students attend nursing core classes at one of the university’s two Arizona campus locations, while completing non-clinical courses – approximately 70% of the curriculum – 100% online. Fulltime students can complete the program in just 36 months (or nine semesters) of year-round study. The school maintains clinical partnerships with Maricopa Integrated Health System, HonorHealth, and several other healthcare institutions in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Graduates from the prelicensure BSN program have the opportunity to matriculate into Aspen University’s online MSN program which offers five distinct specializations. The school also offers a post-master’s DNP curriculum.

Oklahoma Christian University’s School of Nursing offers several unique learning opportunities. The school’s mission of Christian service is embodied in its coursework, with classes like Contemporary Christian Nursing Leadership and Health Care Missions & Christian Service Strategies. OC also provides medical mission opportunities like HonduraServ (a service trip to Honduras) and domestic rotations in local hospitals and clinics. The university offers two BSN pathways: a traditional four-year program and an online RN-to-BSN with flexible class scheduling. Graduates of the traditional program have averaged an 85% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam since 2012.

Panola College has grown from 100 students at the first registration in 1948 to more than 2,600 students today. The Health Sciences Department offers a vocational nursing certificate and two pathways to an associate degree in nursing (traditional, LVN-to-RN). The LVN-to-RN bridge program is conducted in a convenient hybrid format that features online classes, one campus lab day per week, and clinical experiences during evenings and weekends. Approximately 30-50 students graduate annually from the LVN certificate program, with a solid 85% NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade. The ADN program graduates 30-75 students annually across both tracks, with a strong 89% NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past decade.

Texas Health School is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. The school offers both nurse aide and vocational nursing pathways. The CNA program is 100 hours in length, including 60 hours of coursework and 40 hours of clinical instruction in simulation labs and long-term care facilities. Graduates may register to take the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation for state certification. The LVN program has both day and evening options. After the first semester, students can take the state nurse aide exam. After successful completion of the entire program, students are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. LVN graduates from Texas Health School have averaged an impressive 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate since the program’s recent launch.

STC’s Division of Nursing and Allied Health offers an ADN program with three entry points: a traditional two-year pathway for non-nurses, a three-semester pathway for EMT paramedics, and a 12-month pathway for existing LVNs. STC also offers a three-semester LVN certificate program that provides classroom instruction and clinical practice in the nursing care of four populations: adults, mothers / newborns, children, and the elderly. The college graduates 70-120 new LVNs and 150-250 new RNs annually. Students in both programs have exhibited strong licensure exam pass rates. Over the past decade, LVN students have achieved an 86% NCLEX-PN pass rate, while their ADN counterparts have achieved an 86% NCLEX-RN pass rate.

Northeastern State University is Oklahoma’s fourth-largest public four-year institution. The Department of Health Professions offers several options for professional nurses seeking career advancement, all conducted 100% online. Nurses who hold an associate degree or diploma can enroll in the university’s upper-division, 30-credit-hour RN-to-BSN completion program. Students employed fulltime will typically complete the program in two academic years, although they have the flexibility to do so in as little as ten months or as much as five years. Nurses who already hold a BSN degree can pursue an MSN degree at Northeastern State University, with specialization options in administrative leadership, nursing education, and nursing informatics. The MSN program is similarly flexible, with time to completion ranging from 12 months (minimum) to two years (most common) to six years (maximum). The curriculum includes a 120-hour practicum which can be completed over multiple semesters.

East Texas Baptist University offers both a traditional BSN program and an RN-to-BSN bridge. The traditional BSN program is a four-year curriculum. Two years of basic science and liberal arts courses are followed by two years of nursing courses, including Integrated Nursing Practice, Nutrition, and Pharmacology. The program is select, with only one to two dozen students per graduating cohort. ETBU’s traditional BSN students have posted a strong 93% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, including a perfect 100% pass rate five of the past six years. The university’s online RN-to-BSN program is designed for graduates of associate degree programs who hold an unencumbered Texas RN license. The streamlined curriculum allows students to earn the BSN degree within 12 to 24 months while continuing their employment.

The University of Houston - Downtown (UHD) is one of four distinct universities in the University of Houston System. The UHD College of Sciences and Technology offers a BSN program for students who already hold an associate degree in nursing and an active, unencumbered RN license. The RN-to-BSN curriculum focuses on the management and leadership skills needed to advance into senior healthcare positions. The curriculum also lays the groundwork for future graduate study in advanced nursing practice. Students can expect to complete the program in one to two years of study.

Southwestern Adventist University has a Nursing Department renowned for its small class sizes and personalized mentoring. The school’s BSN program offers two prelicensure pathways: a traditional four-year curriculum and an accelerated five-semester LVN-to-BSN bridge. Over the past decade, students in these two pathways have scored an 86% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, including an impressive 90% pass rate since 2016. Southwestern also offers a postlicensure RN-to-BSN pathway that qualified nurses may complete in just one year of full-time study. The Nursing Department recently received a grant from the Ardmore Institute of Health to expand its health and lifestyle education efforts within the local community.

Valley Baptist Medical Center has a proud tradition of preparing well-qualified LVNs for the workforce. The hospital’s School of Vocational Nursing launches a new class of approximately 40 individuals each January. Over the ensuing twelve months, students complete a rigorous curriculum that covers three levels of coursework, including approximately 600 lecture hours and 70 lab hours. They also receive more than 800 hours of clinical experience at VBMC Harlingen and surrounding facilities. The administration has worked hard to keep the program affordable, with tuition and fees currently totaling just $11,000. VBMC graduates have posted an exceptional 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, well above the state and national averages.

The Collin College Nursing Department offers three ADN pathways for aspiring nurses: a traditional program, an LVN-to-RN bridge, and a medic / paramedic fast-track program. The traditional program requires four semesters of study, while the LVN and medic advanced placement pathways may be completed in just three semesters. Coursework includes psychology, growth and development, professional nursing concepts, and healthcare concepts. Across all pathways, Collin College graduates 100-150 ADN students annually. These individuals have achieved an excellent 90% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past decade.