Nursing Programs in Austin, TX
Looking to become a nurse in Austin, TX? With a variety of nursing programs available, both new and experienced RNs can find the right pathway to achieve a rewarding career.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:
- Entry-Level Registered Nursing Programs
- RN to BSN/MSN Programs
- Nurse Practitioner & Advanced RN Programs
- Top Ranked Nursing Programs
Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Austin, TX
Entry-level nursing programs, meaning those that do not require a prior nursing degree or nursing license, are options for those in and around Austin. Direct-entry pathways can be found for Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) and even some Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.
ADN Programs
The quickest and most basic RN program is the Associate's Degree in Nursing. These 2 year programs are usually offered through community colleges and technical schools. Students take courses in foundations of nursing, adult health, and more. Austin Community College, for example, offers an ADN with an estimated total cost of $6,868 for in-district students.
Direct-Entry BSN Programs
With many employers requiring BSN degrees for nurses, many students are opting for this pathway. This traditional 4-year degree is offered at many universities in Austin. Texas State University offers a BSN degree with courses in research and ethics, community-based nursing, pediatric nursing, and more. They also boast a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate as of 2017.
Find out more about Texas Accelerated BSN Programs
Direct-Entry MSN Programs
Though not a traditional option, some schools in Austin have begun offering direct-entry MSN programs for those who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher in a non-nursing discipline. The University of Texas at Austin offers such a degree, which they call the Alternate-Entry Master of Science in Nursing. The program offers specialization tracks such as Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Leadership in Diverse Settings.
Find out more about Texas Accelerated MSN Programs
Austin RN Program NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
| Austin | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN Students Total | 700 | 12,831 |
| NCLEX-RN Students Passed | 664 | 11,839 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | 94.9% | 92.3% |
Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Austin
Listed below are the top nursing schools in Austin based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Texas out of 118 other accredited programs offered in the state:
- Austin Community College - #41
- Concordia University Texas - #6
- Texas State University - #10
- University of Texas - Austin - #24
- Western Governors University - #42
| School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
Austin Community College
| 3401 Webberville Road Austin, TX 78702 (512) 223-5700 |
Concordia University Texas
| 11400 Concordia University Dr. Austin, TX 78726 (512) 313-3000 |
South University
| 1220 W. Louis Henna Blvd. Austin, TX 78681 (877) 659-5706 |
Texas A&M Health Science Center | 3950 N A.W. Grimes Blvd Round Rock, TX 78665 (979) 436-0112 |
Texas State University
| 1555 University Blvd Round Rock, TX 78665 (512) 716-2900 |
University of Texas - Austin
| 110 Inner Campus Drive Austin, TX 78705 (512) 471-4100 |
Western Governors University
| 12515-8 Research Blvd, #250 Austin, TX 78759 (512) 391-2348 |
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Austin, TX
RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs, often referred to as "bridge programs" are available in Austin for those who already hold a nursing diploma or ADN degree. These programs take into consideration the RN's previous education and knowledge, making them shorter than traditional pathways.
RN to BSN
Sometimes called "ADN to BSN" programs, this pathway helps a nurse achieve the highly desired bachelor's degree in nursing. The program is comprised of a mix of didactic learning and clinical experiences. The University of Texas at Austin offers an ADN to BSN program that requires just 12 units of upper-division nursing courses (once prerequisites are satisfied). Full and part-time schedules are offered, and some courses are available online as well.
Find out more about Texas RN to BSN Programs
RN to MSN
RN to MSN programs are ideal for those who know they want to enter advanced nursing and don't want to take the time to complete a BSN program first. Concordia University Texas offers an RN to MSN with the choice of three tracks: leadership, education, and informatics. The online format allows students to complete the coursework while continuing to work if they wish.
Find out more about Texas RN to MSN Programs
| School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
University of Texas at Austin | 1710 Red River St Austin, TX 78701 |
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Austin, TX
Advanced nursing programs in Austin include MSN degrees, post-master's certificate programs, and DNP degrees. These programs generally allow students to choose from a variety of nurse practitioner specialties, which makes it a great pathway for those who wish to practice in a niche area of nursing.
MSN Programs
Those looking for a traditional, 2-year MSN degree program, the Austin area has a number of contenders. A variety of specialized pathways may be available, from adult-gerontology to pediatric to psychiatric-mental health. South University offers an MSN program with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization that requires 62 credit hours. The program promotes health for the duration of the lifespan.
Find out more about Texas Nurse Practitioner Programs
Post-Master's Certificate Programs
These programs are designed especially for MSN-educated nurses who wish to pursue a new specialty (for example, an FNP who wants to specialize as a Pediatric NP). These programs are generally shorter and less costly than a traditional 4-year degree program, saving time and money for these advanced nurses. The University of Texas at Austin offers a plethora of post-graduate certificates in many different popular APRN specialties.
Find out more about Texas Post-Master's Certificate Programs
DNP & Ph.D. Programs
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Ph.D. in Nursing degrees are the highest degree types a nurse can achieve. In roughly 5 semesters (depending on degree and specialty type), the doctoral RN candidate will graduate with the ability to be hired into the most prestigious nursing positions. The University of Texas at Austin offers a DNP degree with a 45-hour curriculum consisting of essential nursing courses, specialization courses, and clinical practice hours.
Find out more about Texas DNP Programs
| School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
Concordia University-Texas | 11400 Concordia University Dr. Austin, TX 78726 (512) 313-3000 |
Texas State University MSN Programs
| 1555 University Blvd. Round Rock, TX 78665 (512) 716-2900 |
The University of Texas at Austin DNP ProgramsGraduate Certificate Programs
| 110 Inner Campus Drive Austin, TX 78712 (512) 471-3434 |
Austin, TX Related Topics
Because the city of Austin and the surrounding areas are so populous, healthcare organizations are plentiful. Austin has thirteen hospitals in the city. Seton Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in Austin. They have many specialty areas to choose from including brain and spine care, cancer and diabetes care, and women and infant services.
St. David’s is another top-performing hospital in Austin, with several campuses around the Austin area. They also have many specialties and services for patients, including neuroscience, pediatrics, and cardiovascular care. They also have sleep medicine and bariatric surgery specialties available.
As one of the most populous cities in Texas (as well as the nation), there is a great need for Home Health nurses in Austin. More and more patients are being managed outpatient, or in the home, so Home Health nurses are essential to meet ongoing patient care needs. Some home health agencies are privately owned and operated, and some are associated with specific insurers or hospital systems.
Nurses have the luxury of having a broad array of career opportunities. Austin is a large city, so there are other opportunities available such as government jobs, case management, school or community/public health nursing, correctional nursing, etc. board.
Austin is a considerably large, sprawling area with many career opportunities for nurses. As the capital of Texas, and with a population of close to one million, Austin healthcare facilities are competitive when it comes to hiring and tend to offer attractive benefits packages as well as salary.
According to May 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the average income for RNs in Austin is around $72,170 annually. The median hourly pay lands at $34.65.
Nurse practitioners are also close to hitting the national average in terms of pay. The BLS reports an average income of $107,720 for NPs in Austin, or around $52.59 per hour (median).
While these figures are averages and estimates, it's important to note that there are many factors that determine a nurse's salary. Some organizations are competitive and offer sign-on bonuses, some may receive annual bonuses, and some may pay more or less depending on experience. Some facilities provide compensation based on collective bargaining agreements and may end up higher than the reported averages. Working in a full or part-time status also makes a difference in pay. Nurses should review each employer's offer before deciding which position best fits their needs.