Texas may be best known for oil, but the Lone Star state offers a little something for everyone. For those wishing to enter the nursing profession its a great place to live and work and the variety and quality of nursing programs in Texas is impressive.
The Career Outlook for Texas Nurses – One of the things that any potential student considering entering nursing programs in Texas wants to know is what will their career prospects be like after they have graduated. The simple answer at the moment is very promising, especially if you undertake that little bit of extra education and become a registered nurses(RN) On average in Texas a registered nurse can expect to earn $70-$75,000, an excellent salary in relation to the cost of living in the state. For an LVN the average is $45,000, a shade lower than the national average but rather good nevertheless.
There are job opportunities for nurses in medical facilities of many different kinds across the state. The highest paying hospital positions tend to be found in the larger Texas cities like Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin but for those who are willing to work in more rural, under served communities in Texas the reward is often a tuition reimbursement incentive that can significantly lower the cost associated with having attended nursing programs in Texas.
Types of Nursing Programs in Texas- In the state of Texas there are a great many accredited nursing programs offered that provide adequate education, both theoretical and practical, to enable students to obtain the appropriate licensing after graduation. These programs all fall into one of several distinct categories though:
Nursing Programs in Texas – Licensed Vocational Nurse – The nursing designation that is known as a Licensed Practical Nurse in many other states is known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse – or LVN – in the Lone Star state. In order to become an LVN in the state of Texas a candidate must graduate successfully from an accredited LVN nursing program and then be prepared to meet the minimum testing standards on the NCLEX Texas state licensing exam.
The majority of LVN nursing programs in Texas take about 12 months to complete and in addition to being offered at various vocational and technical schools LVN courses can be found at most community colleges as well.
Nursing Programs in Texas – Registered Nurse – In order to be an RN in Texas, you must complete two or more years of higher-level education and attain the minimum of an Associates degree in Nursing, something that usually takes about two years to complete and such nursing programs in Texas are offered at both community colleges and many public and private universities.
There is a growing trend though, especially in hospital settings for hiring preference being given to registered nurses who hold a BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Earning a BSN through the various nursing programs in Texas usually takes about 4 years. Many of those who already have an ASN chose to further their education through an RN to BSN program while still working in the profession, earning money and gaining valuable experience. The advantage of these nursing programs in Texas is that unlike other nursing courses they can be completed completely online in about 18 months.
Nursing Programs in Texas – Advanced Practical Registered Nurse- Some of the best paid nurses in the state of Texas are those who earn the designation of Advanced Practical Registered Nurse in a certain specialized area of health care. Should this be the career path chosen nurses can choose from a number of options offered through various nursing programs in Texas including Certified Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Nurse Practitioner.