2024 Rankings: The 80 Best Nursing Schools in Texas

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.

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) College of Nursing has a primary campus in Denton and satellite locations in Dallas and Houston. The school offers online, on-campus, and hybrid programs across a wide breadth of nursing pathways. Undergraduates may pursue traditional, second-degree, weekend / evening, and RN-to-BSN programs. TWU’s prelicensure BSN students have maintained a stellar 94% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduate students have two RN-to-MSN pathways (post-ADN and post-baccalaureate) and four choices of MSN degree or certificate (NP, CNL, NED, health systems management). Doctoral offerings include DNP, PhD, and a DNP-to-PhD bridge program. TWU’s Center for Global Nursing Scholarship provides the opportunity to study in places such as Vietnam, Peru, Turkey, and Tanzania.

The BSN program at Texas A&M University Health Science Center has posted a phenomenal 99% NCLEX exam pass rate over the past decade. The school has graduated hundreds of new nurses over the past decade and maintains a 95% job placement rate within three months of graduation. Texas A&M offers three BSN tracks: a traditional program in Bryan, an accelerated second degree in both Bryan and Round Rock, and an online RN-to-BSN pathway. Graduate students can pursue an online MSN in nursing education or a hybrid MSN for aspiring family nurse practitioners. Clinical locations include St. Joseph Health System and College Station Medical Center, the oldest healthcare facility in Bryan.

UT Tyler’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers several undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. BSN students can pursue a traditional four-year, accelerated, or RN-to-BSN pathway. UT Tyler also partners with Jarvis Christian College to offer Jarvis BS candidates a dual BSN degree. Across all of its prelicensure programs, UT Tyler graduates over 300 new nurses annually who have posted an excellent NCLEX pass rate of 93% over the past decade. At the graduate level, the College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers three MSN tracks (NED, administration, FNP), a dual MSN/MBA program, and both PhD and DNP degrees.

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.

UIW’s Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions offers several pathways for aspiring nurses. Undergraduates can enroll in either a traditional BSN program or an accelerated 16-month track for candidates with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Across these two options, the university graduates approximately 80-100 BSN students annually. These graduates have scored a 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, including a perfect 100% pass rate in two of the past four years. At the graduate level, UIW offers an MSN degree with a leadership focus and two entry points (traditional, RN-to-MSN), three DNP pathways (FNP certification, PMHNP certification, post-MSN completion), and post-master’s certificates in both of these nurse practitioner specialties.

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.

St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University grants BSN and MSN degrees. Since its inaugural graduating class in 2012, the BSN program has educated hundreds of new nurses with an outstanding first-time NCLEX pass rate of 99%. The school’s MSN graduates are prepared to sit for the FNP certification exam proctored by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Texas State students gain valuable training at the school’s five interactive simulation laboratories, and they engage in clinical experiences at area hospitals and healthcare facilities.

TAMUCC’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences launched the first accredited RN-to-BSN program in an upper-level university during the early 1970s, and the first accredited online BSN program in 2003. Today, the school offers numerous BSN pathways including traditional, accelerated, two online options, and an RN-to-BSN completion program. The prelicensure tracks graduate 200-250 students annually who have averaged an 87% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, including a phenomenal 97% pass rate in 2018. TAMUCC is also home to the fourth-largest MSN program in Texas, which has ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s top ten online MSN programs multiple times. Master’s degree candidates can specialize in family nurse practitioner, nursing education, or leadership. The university also began a post-master’s DNP program in the fall of 2016.

The United States Army Medical Center of Excellence’s Academy of Health Sciences is the largest medical education and training campus in the world, producing nearly 35,000 medical professionals every year. Instruction covers 315 distinct programs that span the entire range of army healthcare functions including medical, dental, nursing, veterinary, and medical specialist. Nursing programs run the gamut from an LVN certificate to the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing. The LVN program produces approximately 300-400 graduates annually. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Over the past decade, LVN graduates have achieved an exceptional 93% first-time pass rate.

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 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.

The Wilson School of Nursing is part of the Robert D. & Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences & Human Services. The school offers several undergraduate degree pathways including a traditional prelicensure BSN, a 15-month second degree BSN known as ACCEL-RN, and an online RN-to-BSN program with three annual start dates. Each year, MSU graduates 125-150 students combined from the traditional and accelerated tracks. These students have averaged an 82% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The university also offers an MSN degree with tracks for aspiring family nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. Each specialization option is also available as a post-graduate certificate.

The School of Nursing at LeTourneau University (LETU) offers a prelicensure BSN program that takes four years to complete. The curriculum features small class sizes, a diverse faculty, and extensive clinical experiences with more than twenty agency partners in the East Texas area. Graduates of the LETU BSN program are prepared to seek positions in acute care hospitals, primary care clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, faith-based organizations, community agencies, and schools. The university’s BSN graduates have achieved a perfect 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam four out of the five years since the program’s recent launch. LETU also offers an online RN-to-BSN program that features year-round, seven-week courses deployed in a cohort model and complemented with local practice experiences.

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is home to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing. The school offers both traditional and degree completion pathways to a BSN degree. Graduate students can pursue an MSN with either a family nurse practitioner or nursing administration focus. The FNP curriculum emphasizes topics like health assessment, pharmacology, healthcare policy, and social justice, while the nursing administration curriculum covers issues like healthcare informatics, organizational behavior, and nursing leadership. All of TAMIU’s nursing programs are conducted on campus only. BSN graduates have scored an outstanding 93-97% NCLEX pass rate for seven consecutive years, while FNP graduates have achieved a perfect 100% pass rate on the national certification exam for four consecutive years.

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.

The Department of Nursing is an integral part of TAMUT’s College of Arts, Sciences and Education. The department conducts a traditional BSN program, an RN-to-BSN completion track, and an MSN degree with specializations in nursing administration and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. The RN-to-BSN curriculum is delivered in eight-week blocks rather than across the semester, allowing working students to better focus their efforts and manage their time. The traditional BSN program launched during the summer of 2017. Coursework is conducted in the Building for Academic and Student Services, which houses an eight-bed simulation hospital and multiple skills labs. The first three graduating classes of the traditional BSN program have each scored a perfect 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

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.

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.

The University of Houston - Clear Lake enrolls 9,000 students annually in more than ninety degree programs across four colleges. The university’s nursing program is led by the College of Human Sciences and Humanities. This RN-to-BSN completion program is delivered in a blended format with both face-to-face and online components. Students may enroll in either the fulltime, three-quarters, or half-time track, allowing them to tailor the program’s pace for their needs as working professionals. Fulltime students can complete the program in just two semesters, while part-time students may take as many as six semesters. The university’s new nursing simulation and skills lab provides valuable hands-on training that prepares students to deliver safe and effective care.

Located in the Texas Medical Center, the College of Nursing at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) has programs at all degree levels. Undergraduates can pursue a bachelor’s degree through three different pathways: a traditional BSN, an LVN-to-BSN bridge, and an RN-to-BSN completion program. Approximately 120-160 students complete the prelicensure BSN pathways each year, and they have achieved a solid 86% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduate programs include an MSN degree with three specializations (family nurse practitioner, nurse administration, nurse education) and a post-master’s DNP curriculum. PVAMU’s nursing programs are noted for their advanced technology, smart classrooms, transformative laboratories, and extensive clinical partnerships.

Founded in 1923 as a teachers’ college, Stephen F. Austin State University now offers more than 120 areas of study through six colleges and one independent school. The DeWitt School of Nursing is part of the university’s College of Sciences & Mathematics. The school offers two BSN pathways (traditional prelicensure, RN-to-BSN completion) and an MSN degree for aspiring family nurse practitioners. The MSN program requires just three campus visits, and the RN-to-BSN program requires just one campus visit; all other coursework is conducted online. Traditional BSN students will learn in the Ed and Gwen Cole Simulation Lab, which includes distinct areas for medical-surgical care, labor and delivery, nursery and neonatal care, health assessment, and emergency care. A variety of low-, medium-, and high-fidelity mannequins are used to simulate any patient condition, including childbirth. The traditional BSN program typically graduates 100-130 students annually. Over the past decade, these graduates have achieved an excellent 93% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

For nearly a decade, Rio Grande Valley College has offered a convenient and flexible vocational nursing certificate program. The LVN curriculum provides multiple start dates annually, with both day and evening class options. Students prepare to assume entry-level healthcare positions under the direction of a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, or other healthcare provider. RGV College graduates approximately 100 to 150 vocational nursing candidates each year. These students have scored a 93% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure examination over the past decade. In January 2019, RGV College launched the first cohort of thirty students in its new LVN-to-RN bridge program. This track prepares the LVN for licensure as a registered nurse with an accelerated 45-week curriculum. Graduates will receive an associate degree in nursing and sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

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.

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.

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.

The University of Texas Permian Basin is the only university named after a geological formation. The College of Nursing offers a CCNE-accredited baccalaureate program with three pathways: traditional prelicensure, campus-based RN-to-BSN, and online RN-to-BSN. The prelicensure BSN is a four-year program of study. In the first two years, nursing students take science courses with other pre-health professionals including pre-medical, pre-dentistry, and pre-veterinary majors. Nursing courses are completed during the third and fourth years. Students gain clinical experience at regional healthcare facilities and in the school’s nursing simulation center. The prelicensure BSN track graduates approximately fifty students each year. UTPB’s campus-based RN-to-BSN program meets face-to-face one weekend per month, either on campus or in preapproved clinical settings. The remaining course activities are web-enhanced or conducted through Blackboard. UTPB’s online RN-to-BSN program is conducted entirely over the internet. This track offers multiple start dates and delivers courses in eight-week increments. Online students can complete the upper-division nursing courses in as little as eight months of study.

San Jacinto College has twice earned recognition from the Aspen Institute as one of the top ten community colleges in the nation. The Health Sciences Area of Study conducts programs for aspiring nurses at all three of the college’s primary campuses. San Jac offers a traditional ADN curriculum at its Central and North campuses, while the South campus hosts the college’s ADN transition program for current LVNs and paramedics. Across these pathways, San Jacinto College typically graduates between 150 and 200 ADN students each year. These graduates have enjoyed an 87% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past decade. The class of 2019 scored a 94% first-time pass rate. For aspiring vocational nurses, San Jac offers a 45-credit LVN certificate program at its North and South campuses. This program graduates 100-150 students annually, with a 91% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam over the past decade.

Alvin Community College offers associate degrees and certificates through five academic divisions. The college’s nursing programs are conducted by the Division of Legal and Health Sciences. Nursing students can pursue a vocational nursing certificate or an associate of applied science degree with two entry points (generic prelicensure, LVN-to-ADN bridge). Students in all programs have an excellent track record on their nursing licensure examinations. Each of the past nine LVN graduating classes has scored a perfect pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Over the past decade, the ADN program has graduated 60-90 students annually with a 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate. ACC nursing students benefit from the college’s affiliation agreements with numerous local healthcare facilities including Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, Memorial Hermann Hospital Southeast, and Kindred Hospitals.

College of the Mainland’s Nursing Department offers several education pathways. Aspiring vocational nurses can complete a 44-credit-hour certificate program. Each LVN cohort is small, with twenty to twenty-five students graduating annually. Over the past decade, these LVN candidates have scored an excellent 92% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Aspiring registered nurses have three options at COM: a fulltime prelicensure track, a part-time prelicensure track, and an LVN-to-RN transition track. The first two tracks are designed for students new to nursing, while the transition track provides LVNs with advanced placement. Across these three pathways, the college graduates 50-80 ADN students annually. Over the past decade, these graduates have averaged an 87% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

The Nursing Education Department at Del Mar College offers a multiple entry / exit program (MEEP). Students may pursue a four-semester vocational nursing certificate or a five-semester professional nursing degree. Students in the RN program can obtain either the standard associate of applied science (AAS) degree or an associate of arts (AA) degree which will facilitate completion of a BSN degree at an upper-level program. The associate degree program also awards advanced standing to current LVNs. Del Mar College graduates 80-150 new RNs annually, and these students have scored an impressive 90% NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past decade. Those individuals who opt for the LVN certificate almost always pass the NCLEX-PN exam at a perfect 100% rate.

Blinn College has articulation agreements with the Texas A&M University System, which ensures a seamless transfer experience to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. The college offers CNA, LVN, and ADN pathways that provide hands-on skills training, experience in a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory, and clinical rotations at area hospitals. The 120-hour CNA program prepares students to pass the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Exam, which certifies them for employment as a nurse aide. The LVN and ADN programs prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN exams, respectively. Over the past decade, Blinn College’s LVN graduates have achieved an outstanding 96% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, while its ADN graduates have scored an impressive 93% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.

Tyler County Hospital School of Vocational Nursing offers a 12-month LVN program that progresses through several curricular levels. The first 16 weeks focus on classroom lectures and demonstrations, with a few hours of clinical experience. The remaining 36 weeks of the program increasingly shift the focus to clinical experience, supplemented with fewer classroom hours. The program begins in January of each year and accepts a maximum of 72 students per cohort, including at least 15 Tyler County residents. Over the past decade, graduates have achieved an impressive 88% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.