If you feel that nursing is your calling, the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program will provide a fast-track to licensure from the Texas Board of Nursing. The AND curriculum includes knowledge and practical training to prepare students for the National Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Registered Nurses hold a vital role in the healthcare team, promoting health, inspiring faith and confidence in the health care system, preventing diseases, and comforting patients and their families when they’re more vulnerable. Sound clinical judgment, the ability to think critically, excellent communication, compassion, and the ability to work well with others are character traits of a successful nurse. Emotional stability is essential as there are many uncertainties when caring for patients.
The ADN program provides a gateway to the profession but it should not be the endpoint. The health care industry is raising the bar in nursing education. The bachelor of science in nursing is fast-becoming the standard for entry in many hospitals and health care institutions. ADN-prepared nurses can enroll in online RN-to-BSN programs for a seamless transition to the BSN degree.
San Antonio College
The Department of Nursing Education at San Antonio College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Nursing to prepare students to become a registered nurse. Candidates can enter the program through the generic track or the licensed vocational nursing mobility track. Graduates of both tracks will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. The curriculum will emphasize the art and science of nursing in the classroom, modern and well-equipped simulation hospital on campus, and in local healthcare facilities. The practical instruction will reinforce the theory covered in the classroom and give students the confidence to practice as competent entry-level nurses. The program forms part of a statewide consortium that provides a “1+2+1 degree plan” that graduates of the AAS can use to transition to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) studies at a participating University nursing program. A GPA of 2.5 in all general education courses is required for enrollment in the BSN.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, General Psychology, Introduction to Ethics, Composition I
Core courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Lifespan Growth and Development, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health, Health Care Concepts I, Professional Nursing Competencies, Professional Nursing Concepts I, Introduction to Health Care Concepts, Clinical: RN Health Care Concepts I, Professional Nursing Concepts II, Health Care Concepts II, Clinical: RN Health Care Concepts II, Professional Nursing Concepts III, Health Care Concepts III, Clinical: RN Health Care Concepts III, Professional Nursing Concepts IV, Health Care Concepts IV, Clinical: RN Health Care Concepts IV
Admission criteria:
- Complete prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Science courses must be completed with a GPA 2.8 or higher – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health
- Complete general education courses before applying for the program
- Complete the ATI TEAS by the deadline date of application
- Apply and enroll in San Antonio College
- Submit an application to the nursing program
- Provide documentation indicating good health
- Must have current Health Care Provider CPR card in Basic Life Support for adult, child, and infant. American Heart Association or American Red Cross required
- Obtain a negative drug screen
- Must have medical insurance coverage
- Pass a background check
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition is $165 per semester credit hour. Additional costs of textbooks, uniforms, CPR certification, physical exam, immunizations, and ATI testing are not included in the cost.
- Website: https://www.alamo.edu/sac/nursing
- Address: 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212
- Phone: 210-486-1144
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 82.78%
Baptist Health System – School of Health Professions
The Associate Degree in Nursing program at the Baptist Health System prepares students for a career a registered nurse in just 5 semesters. The curriculum emphasizes the art and science of nursing that will enable students to provide safe and competent care in hospitals and long-term care facilities. The hospital-based registered nursing program includes a sizeable clinical experience that will let students put the theory into practice in inpatient perioperative areas, critical care units, emergency departments, pediatrics, obstetrics, adult medical-surgical area, psychiatry, and community-based facilities. The content is delivered in blended format including online courses, classroom interaction, group activities, clinical skill labs, and self-directed study. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science and will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. Advanced placement is offered to qualified licensed vocational nurses who have completed the prerequisite course and meet the admission requirements for entry into the program. Candidates must complete the five general education courses during the first semester of the program before beginning the nursing courses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education online courses – Composition II, College Algebra, Introduction to Sociology, Medical Law and Ethics, Lifespan Growth and Development,
Core courses – Foundations of Nursing Practice, Foundations Clinical, Common Concepts of Adult Health, Common Concepts, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Complex Adult Clinical, Pharmacology, Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Clinical, Care of Children and Families, Care of Children and Families Clinical, Maternal/Newborn Nursing & Women’s Health, Maternal/Newborn Nursing & Women’s Health Clinical, Advanced Concepts of Adult Health, Advanced Concepts Clinical, Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation, Management of Clinical Care (Capstone), Management Clinical
Admission criteria:
- Complete prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology. The courses must be taken at an accredited college or university with the accompanying labs.
- Take and pass the TEAS VI Entrance Exam with minimum scores Reading (69), Math (63.3) Science (45.8), English (60). Scores are valid for 2 years
- Submit an application for the AAS in Nursing program online
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Submit official transcripts of prerequisite courses indicating final grades of C or higher
- Submit a copy of high school diploma, transcript, or GED certificate.
- Provide proof of health insurance
- Must have current CPR certification
- Pass a urine drug screen
- Submit records of current immunization including Hepatitis B
Program Cost:
The cost of the program is $34,980 including tuition, fees, and books. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.bshp.edu/home
- Address: 8400 Datapoint Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
- Phone: (210) 297-9636
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.02%
Galen College
Galen College offers an LVN-to-ADN bridge program to prepare qualified vocational nurses for licensure as a registered nurse. The program is offered on campus or in a blended format with some courses delivered online. The bridge program can be completed in 15 to 18 months of full-time attendance. Students can commence the program when they’re ready and there are no prerequisites. The general education classes are included in the nursing curriculum. Transfer credits are accepted after evaluation. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 99
Duration: 18 months
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I Theory and Lab, Information Literacy and Technology Essential, English Composition, Galen Pathway to Success, Human Anatomy and Physiology II Theory and Lab, College Mathematics
Core courses – LVN to RN Role Transition, Developmental Psychology, Principles of Pharmacology, Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts, Introduction to Sociology, Microbiology for Health Professionals, Concepts of Nursing: The Childbearing and Child Caring Families, Applied Ethics, Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Leadership and Nursing Management, Transition to Registered Nursing Practice
Admission criteria:
- Must be a high school graduate or GED equivalency
- Be able to communicate effectively in English
- Must have a vocational nursing diploma from an accredited program
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or better from the VN program
- Must have a valid, current, unencumbered VN license
- Provide satisfactory entrance test scores – ACT (18), SAT (980), Multilevel PAX (90)
Program Cost:
General education courses cost $425 per quarter credit hour. Nursing education courses cost $460 per quarter credit hour. Other costs include technology fee, lab fee, clinical fee, books, background fee, registration fee, uniforms, supplies, physical exam, and immunization.
- Website: https://galencollege.edu/campuses/san-antonio
- Address: 7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 1400, San Antonio, Texas 78229
- Phone: (210) 485-2222
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80%
ECPI University
Students enrolled in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at ECPI University will graduate as capable and experienced registered nurses with the capacity to care for patients in a variety of settings. The curriculum includes theory and extensive hands-on practice and explores legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks, diagnoses, treatment and prevention strategies, leadership skills, clinical judgment, and professional accountability. Students will receive knowledge and experience that will enable them to contribute to the interdisciplinary health care team through effective collaboration, execute the standards of professional practice within the legal and ethical frameworks, provide holistic care to promote and improve patient outcomes, use information management and technology in the delivery of quality patient care, and demonstrate effective leadership and sound clinical judgment. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits:71
Duration: 5 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy and Physiology I w/Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology I with Terminology Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, College Composition, College Algebra, Culture and Diversity, Introduction to Psychology
Core courses – Dosage Calculations for Professional Nursing, Pharmacology, Concepts of Nursing I, Concepts of Nursing II, Concepts of Nursing III, Pathophysiology, Mental Health Nursing, Maternal/Newborn Nursing, Parent/Child Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Acute Care Nursing, Dimensions of Nursing I, Dimensions of Nursing II
Admission criteria:
- Attend an Admissions Interview and campus tour
- Submit a completed application and sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Submit official high school transcript or official GED test scores
- Must pass an admissions exam
- Meet the minimum score requirements on the TEAS entrance assessment exam with minimum scores – Reading – 85, Math -51, English – 60, Science – 55
- Must have an overall college GPA of 2.5 or high school GPA of 2.5 if no college courses have been completed
- Submit details of any health care experience
- Submit an entrance essay on one of the following: 1. Academic Integrity 2. The Art of Caring 3. Managing College/Life Balance
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
- Must be able to meet the minimal essential function abilities required to practice nursing
- Must maintain current Healthcare Provider CPR throughout the program
- Graduates of ECPI Practical Nursing program who hold a current and unencumbered Practical Nursing license may apply to the RN program with exemption from some of the admission requirements
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $9,900 per semester for full-time students (12 to 18 credits). Financial aid is available for eligible persons.
Website: https://www.ecpi.edu/
Address: 4715 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78229
Phone: 210-973-5205
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.45%
How Much Does an ADN Nurse Make in San Antonio?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the registered nurse (RNs) workforce is anticipated to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032. The rate translates to 177,400 new jobs annually during that period. The aging RN workforce, aging population, and inability of nursing schools to accept all applicants contribute to the nursing shortage.
The state of Texas will account for more than 12 percent of the national demand for registered nurses positions based on statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services. It stands as the second state with the highest nursing shortage. The demand for nurses has a major impact on the nursing compensation in that state. Hence the reason Texas registered nurses earn an annual wage that is higher than the national average. The average wage for new registered nurses in San Antonio is $54,300. Although it is slighly lower than the average for other cities such as Houston and Dallas, it is higher than the average for other major cities in other states.
How Long Does It Take to Get an RN Degree in Texas?
The Associate Degree in Nursing program may the completed in 24 months – not including the time required for the completion of any prerequisite coursework.
How To Become a Registered Nurse in Texas?
Your journey to a career in registered nursing in Texas starts with your nursing education. You must complete a program that is approved by the Board of Nursing. After completing the ADN or BSN program, you should take the following steps to obtain a license to practice as a registered nurse.
- Take and pass the Texas nursing jurisprudence exam – available through the Board’s online portal
- Complete a a satisfactory criminal background check
- Apply for and take the NCLEX exam with the approval of the Board of Nursing
- Receive your license to practice to begin working as a registered nurse in Texas
Full details on the license requirements for registered nursing in Texas.
How Much Does RN School Cost in San Antonio, TX?
Associate Degree Registered Nursing programs in San Antonio cost an average of $8,500 at public universities. There are several private programs offering the 2-year RN program at an average cost of $31,000 for tuition. Financial aid, scholarships, loans, and grants will help to fund your educational costs if you are eligible.
What Is The Fastest Way to Become a Registered Nurse in Texas?
The associate degree in nursing program provides the fastest path to registered nursing if you’re new to the profession with no prior education or experience in healthcare care. The ADN program can be completed in 18 to 24 months full-time.
A licensed practical nurse can complete the requirements for a registered nursing degree and practice as a registered in just 12 to 18 months. The LVN to RN bridge program is the pathway for vocational nurses.
The ABSN or accelerated nursing degree that leads to a BSN is another option to consider if you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. With the general education courses completed in the bachelor’s program, you will need to complete core nursing courses which takes approximately 12 to 18 months.
After completing the associate degree in nursing for fast entry to nursing, you should consider continuing your education to the BSN degree to get the most out of your nursing career.
You can enroll in the online RN to BSN program and get a BSN degree in one year.