For students considering nursing as a career and looking for programs to help them get started, Texas nursing schools are a good place to start. Not only does the state have a wide variety of nursing programs, but graduates will have jobs to choose from and other benefits waiting for them after they receive their degree.

What nursing schools are available in Texas?

Currently, 72 Texas nursing schools are accredited and ready to help students achieve their goals of becoming health care professionals. These nursing schools offer a variety of options for those wanting to enter the field.

While students can earn the traditional associate's and bachelor's degrees in nursing, Texas nursing schools also offer two other options. One is called a nursing diploma and is earned through hands-on hospital experience combined with two to three years of training. The other is known as an accelerated bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. Both of these tracks are designed for people who already have a bachelor's degree in another field but who are interested in switching to nursing as a career.

Nursing jobs in Texas

When students complete programs at any of these Texas nursing schools, they are likely to find plenty of job opportunities waiting for them. An estimated 138,000 nurses are going to be needed in Texas within the next decade. In fact, nurses are in such demand already that some hospitals and medical facilities are offering bonuses of up to $5,000 to new employees.

Even without the bonuses, Texas nursing schools' graduates can expect to earn salaries which are on par with most of the country. Although the pay is lower than in California, New York, or Hawaii, the average salary for registered nurses is $45,000 and for licensed vocational nurses is around $33,000.

Texas nursing licensing considerations

Students should choose Texas nursing schools if they plan on working in that state after graduation. Because all nursing students must pass a licensing exam in the state they intend to work, it makes sense to receive an education in the same state. The reason is that the instructors will be knowledgeable about what students are expected to know for that exam and can better prepare students for those demands.

To learn more about Texas nursing schools or preparing a career in nursing, visit Online Nursing Degrees or Nursing Programs.