8 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Texas – 2024
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Demand for DNP-prepared nurses in Texas far outpaces existing supply. As an RN in the Lone Star State with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, you’ll have your choice of employment opportunities, and you’ll earn an average salary of $133,570 a year. BSN to DNP programs in Texas are the fastest way to attain a DNP, and since many of these programs are offered online, you won’t have to stop working to achieve your educational goals. Find out more about these innovative programs by reviewing this list of the 8 best BSN to DNP programs in Texas for 2024.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN TO DNP PROGRAMS IN TEXAS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?
(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 8 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Texas (Online & Campus).)1) University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - Houston
Whether you intend to advance your nursing career to become an NP or a CRNA, at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston you can achieve this goal straight after completing your BSN. Here, you will be trained in leadership and evidence-based practice to influence healthcare and improve patient outcomes. Located in the Texas Medical Center, this DNP, distinguished as being the first doctorate in the state offers you the resources of a large medical center.
This Texas BSN to DNP program is offered in four NP specialties as well as in nurse anesthesia. While the nurse anesthesia track, starting in summer requires completing 112 credits on a full-time basis, enrolling in any of the NP tracks which begin in fall entail earning 79 credits. The anesthesia track is offered face-to-face, whereas the NP tracks can be completed in the hybrid format, either full-time or part-time.
2) Texas Christian University - Fort Worth
Are you are searching for online BSN to DNP programs in Texas that do not require the GRE score for admission? If so, you must check out Texas Cristian University’s BSN to DNP program that is primarily offered online and does not include GRE as a criterion for admission. Focused on solving health care issues, this DNP degree prepares you to play impactful roles in healthcare, business, government, and education.
The BSN to DNP program is offered in conjunction with specialty options in adult-gerontology acute care, family nurse, psychiatric mental health, in addition to the clinical nurse specialty track with a focus on either adult-gerontology or pediatric populations. Depending on whether you enroll for a full-time or part-time schedule, you will complete the program within three to four years. While the NP tracks require earning around 66 credits, with the CNS program, credit requirements will be around 67, in addition to the 1000 hours of clinical practice.
3) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Lubbock
If you find your calling in advanced practice nursing, then completing a BSN to DNP program from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center can be a prudent choice. The program takes your BSN to the doctorate level, preparing you to provide care to individuals and families across the lifespan. As a graduate of this program, you will be able to play various roles, including leadership in healthcare and nursing education.
To qualify for this BSN to DNP program you must have completed your baccalaureate in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and hold and an active RN license. The common core courses that are included in both the programs educate you in scientific foundations, informatics & technology, pharmacotherapeutics, evidence-based inquiry, population health, diagnostic methods, systems leadership, health innovations, special populations, and politics in health care.
4) University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - San Antonio
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a place where you will gain exceptional clinical training at various sites including its state-of-art Center for Simulation Innovation. Offering one of the best BSN to DNP programs in Texas, the college, with its several clinical affiliates guarantees to secure a preceptor for your clinicals. Depending on your interest, here you can choose to specialize in either adult-gerontology, family health, psychiatric mental health, pediatric primary care, or public health.
This DNP program requires you to have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Whichever track you may enroll from the five specialties, the graduate core courses focus on interprofessional collaboration to improve health outcomes. Most students complete this program within three years if enrolled on a full-time basis. To graduate, you require completing around 76 credits and 1000 hours of clinical practice.
5) University of the Incarnate Word - San Antonio
University of the Incarnate Word’s doctorate comes with two areas of emphasis - family health, and psychiatric mental health. Education here is grounded in values of truth, faith, and innovation. Training you to work in an interprofessional healthcare environment, this BSN to DNP program in the Lone Star state is delivered through a blended learning format where online courses are combined with face-to-face classes.
To qualify for this post-baccalaureate program, you must have completed your undergraduate education in nursing and hold an active RN license. While the FNP track requires completing 77 credits, the PMHNP specialization entails earning a total of 76 credits. Included in the coursework are around 1152 to 1216 hours of clinical practice. The core graduate courses teach you advanced pathophysiology, epidemiology & vulnerable populations, evidence-based practice, health policy, healthcare informatics, and resource management for nurse leaders.
6) Baylor University – Dallas
Counted among the top-ranking online BSN to DNP programs in TX, Baylor University has featured in the US News & World Report’s best online DNP programs. Here, you will be prepared for the highest level of practice through convenient online classes. With several specializations offered in conjunction with the DNP, depending on your interest you can choose either the executive nurse leadership, family health, neonatal health, pediatrics, or the midwifery track.
With this BSN to DNP program, you can assume leadership positions and improve patient outcomes. Regardless of the track you enter, to be eligible for the program you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an active RN license. While the Executive Nurse Leadership track is a 100% online track preparing you to become a nurse leader, the NP tracks prepare you for advanced care within your chosen population foci. If you are pursuing the midwifery track, you will be trained to provide care for women across the lifespan. To graduate you must complete credits around 75, with the exact number depending on the concentration track you enroll in.
7) Baylor College of Medicine - Houston
As a graduate of Baylor College of Medicine’s BSN to DNP program, you will be trained as a competent nurse anesthetist, ready to lead in healthcare, research, and education. The diverse clinical experiences and well-designed curriculum not only make you future ready but also prepare you to work in any type of healthcare setting. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam, and with Baylor’s record of an impressive first-time pass rate, you can be rest assured of success post-graduation.
This BSN to DNP program in TX is to be completed in two phases. The first 18 months are directed towards finishing the didactic courses, followed by the next 18 months of clinical training in diverse settings, including general, regional, and local anesthesia. The coursework comprising of basic science, advanced practice nursing, and anesthesia courses educate you in advanced health assessment, ethical & multicultural healthcare, biostatistics, pathophysiology, radiology for health promotions, clinical skills inquiry, and nervous system.
8) Abilene Christian University – Abilene
This BSN to DNP is a 57-credit curriculum that requires you to have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 along with an active RN license. Some of the courses you complete include advanced pathophysiology, leadership & communication, advanced pharmacology, and advanced clinical practice. The coursework ends with a DNP project where you integrate your DNP knowledge to address a healthcare problem.
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