• Although an associate degree in nursing is adequate to gain a registered nursing license, a bachelor's degree is often the minimum requirement for entry into nursing graduate school programs that lead to advanced careers like nurse midwifery or nurse management. In Texas, a number of schools offer specialized programs to help registered nurses (RNs) obtain Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degrees. Featuring online classes, these programs allow nurses to continue working and complete their coursework at their convenience or attend courses full-time from the comfort of their homes.
  
  

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

• Established in 1923, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public medical training school in Lubbock. The college's RN to B.S.N. program requires two semesters of study when nurses take classes on a full-time basis. Through partnerships with local community colleges, the university offers guaranteed admission into the program for nurses who received their associate degrees from Austin Community College, Central Texas College, Howard Community College, Midland College, Odessa College and South Plains College. Required coursework includes Issues in Nursing, nursing research, law and ethics, management and leadership, community health practice and pharmacology. Federal and state grants and loans and institutional scholarships are available for qualified students.
  
  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
  3601 Fourth St.
  Lubbock, TX 79430
  806-743-1000
  ttuhsc.edu
  
  

Texas Woman's University

• A public college for women, Texas Woman's University has its main campus in Denton, approximately 38 miles north from Dallas and branch campuses in downtown Houston and Dallas. To enroll in the university's entirely online RN to B.S.N. program, nurses must show evidence of prerequisite coursework completion in English, literature or philosophy, history, government, psychology, mathematics, statistics, nutrition, chemistry, biology and women's studies. Students may take these courses at the university or another accredited college. The program is completable with one semester of full-time study. Nurses may also place out of the some of the required nursing courses through work experience or written examination, allowing them to finish more quickly. The university offers special scholarships for nurses in addition to participating in government financial aid programs.
  
  Texas Woman's University
  Box 425619
  Denton, TX 76204
  940-898-3188
  twu.edu
  
  

University of Texas at Arlington

• The University of Texas at Arlington is a public institution with nearly 19,000 students. The university RN-B.S.N. program allows students to mix and match classroom and distance education. Students must attend one classroom course per week, but then may take the remainder of the courses online if they choose. DVDs are also available to supplement online material. With full-time study, nurses can finish the course requirements within one year. Prerequisite classes include composition, statistics, algebra, literature, anatomy, microbiology, psychology, sociology or anthropology, history, government and fine arts. Those admitted to the program complete coursework in gerontology, holistic health assessment, nursing research and nurse management. Eligible students may take advantage of federal and state aid and institutional scholarships.
  
  University of Texas at Arlington
  701 South Nedderman Drive
  Arlington, TX 76019
  817-272-6287
  uta.edu