There are three pathways to become a registered nurse (RN).
-
Diploma of Nursing – This is offered through a hospital-based nursing program.
-
ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) - A two-year program offered through many community colleges. The ADN is the quickest and most popular pathway to become an RN; however, an RN without a BSN might not qualify for upper-level nursing positions.
-
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) - While also a two-year program, this pathway requires a bachelor's degree. RNs with a BSN typically qualify for upper-level nursing positions.
There are three programs that allow you to earn a BSN.
-
Traditional BSN: This program is for traditional degree-seeking undergraduate students, without a bachelor's degree, who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This normally takes 2 years.
-
Accelerated BSN: This is a fast-track program for students who already have a bachelor’s degree. These programs typically take 12-16 months to complete.
-
RN BSN: This program is for current RNs with an associate’s degree (ADN) who wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
There are two options to enter a traditional BSN program.
-
Option two - Attend A&M and complete your bachelor’s degree, and then enter a nursing program, receiving your BSN degree. With this option, you earn two degrees. One from A&M and the other one from the nursing school.
-
If you graduate from A&M and majored in Allied Health, the bachelor’s degree you receive in Allied Health will be your first degree. Then if you transfer to the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, you will earn your BSN as your second degree. Now, you have a BS in Allied health and a BSN which equals two undergraduate degrees.
The BSN program typically takes two years to complete, and then students will be ready to take the NCLEX to receive their RN license.
Second Degree programs, also known as Accelerated BSN programs, are for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to become an RN. All core curriculum courses and nursing prereqs must be completed before applying to these programs.
There are currently 14 programs in Texas that offer a second degree BSN:
Texas nursing school prereqs can differ from school to school, whether it be a private or public school program. Below is a list of common pre-reqs only. Our office recommends that you check with each school for specific prereq requirements.
|
COURSE
|
TX COMMON COURSE NUMBER
|
TAMU COURSE NUMBER
|
HOURS
REQ.
|
|
*A&P I & II
|
BIOL 2401 & 2402
|
BIOL 319 & 320
|
8
|
|
*CHEM
|
CHEM 1405 or 1411
|
CHEM 119
|
4
|
|
ENGL I & II
|
any class taught in the ENGL dept
|
any class taught in the ENGL dept
|
6
|
|
GOVT I & II
|
GOVT 2305 & 2306
|
POLS 206 & 207
|
6
|
|
HIST
|
HIST 1301 & 1302
|
HIST 105 & 106
|
6
|
|
MATH (College Algebra)
|
MATH 1314
|
MATH 102 (or higher)
|
3
|
|
*MICRO (Intro)
|
BIOL 2420 or 2421
|
BIOL 206
|
4
|
|
*NUTR
|
BIOL 1322
|
NUTR 202
|
3
|
|
*PHIL (Intro)
|
PHIL 1301 or 2306
|
PHIL 111 or 251
|
3
|
|
*PSYC (Intro)
|
PSYC 2301
|
PSYC 107
|
3
|
|
*PSYC (Lifespan)
|
PSYC 2314
|
PSYC 225
|
3
|
|
*SOCI (intro)
|
SOCI 1305
|
SOCI 205
|
3 |
|
*STAT
|
MATH 1342
|
STAT 201
|
3
|
|
Visual/Perf Arts
|
TX Core Approved
|
TX Core Approved
|
3 |
*Indicates a common pre-nursing prereq course.
Researching nursing programs can be very confusing and time consuming. You may not even know what you don’t know yet, and most schools differ slightly from each other. Below are a few questions you should know about each program before you apply.
Application requirements
-
What are their prereqs (will they accept AP credit)
-
What entrance exam do they require (HESI or TEAS)
-
How do you apply to their program (NursingCAS and/or ApplyTexas)
-
What terms do they admit students and what are those deadlines
-
Do they require essays
-
Are letters of recommendation are required
-
How do they interview students (online or in-person)
-
Do they have mandatory orientations
Other factors may include:
Research Resources:
AACN - use the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for programs in other states. You can sort by state or even by type of program.
NursingCAS can answer most of these questions for you. This application service allows students to research any of the nursing schools in their program. Even if you are not ready to apply, you should visit their website. Click on ‘apply now’ and do a search for the schools that interest you. If your school does not use NursingCAS, then we recommend you go directly to their website for information.
These are both formal standardized nursing entrance exams; however, some programs require the HESI, while others require the TEAS. Both tests include the following subjects: anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, English grammar, reading comprehension, and mathematics.
*Institutions may limit how many times you can reattempt to take these exams per application period, check with each nursing programs for details.
Registration Information - We at PSA know that registration for these exams can be very confusing, so we have created a step-by-step handout to guide you through the process.
HESI Registration Handout
TEAS Registration Handout
NursingCAS is not just an application service that allows applicants to use a single online application and one set of materials to apply to multiple programs at participating schools, but it also allows you to research nursing programs. NursingCAS has all the program requirements for the schools that subscribe their service. Even if you are not ready to apply, you should visit their website and open your application.
Completing the NursingCAS application can be confusing, so we have created a step-by-step handout to help guide you through process. Also included are helpful links from NursingCAS.
NursingCAS Application Handout
TX Schools using NursingCAS
NursingCAS Application FAQs