Online LVN to BSN Programs in Texas: Reviewing Top Schools
If you’re an LVN in Texas ready to advance, an online LVN to BSN program can expand your skills, increase your responsibilities, and boost your earning potential. This guide covers program structure, online coursework, completion timelines, and highlights top programs, along with answers to key questions on accreditation, licensure, and financial aid.
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Inside Online LVN to BSN Programs in Texas
Many LVN to BSN programs in Texas deliver some academic coursework in an online format, allowing you to study at your own pace and save commute time and money. However, you will still need to visit campus or a healthcare facility to complete your degree, because even fully online LVN to BSN programs in Texas require hands-on clinical training components.
Hybrid programs like those at Tarleton State University and Sam Houston State University require some in-person class attendance or limit online options to a single course focusing on the LVN-RN transition.
Learn about LVN to BSN programs in Texas, and salary potential and career outlook after graduation.
Tarleton State University – LVN to BSN program
Tarleton State University offers a hybrid LVN to BSN program that is ideal for working students or anyone looking for more flexibility in their studies. The LVN to BSN program is based in Waco on the McLennan Community College campus, but most lectures and exams are available online.
In-person educational activities include:
- Orientation
- Skills lab sessions
- Simulations
- Clinical rotations
The program can be completed in as little as 18 months, so it’s a faster option for a motivated nurse looking to earn a bachelor’s degree as soon as possible.
Duration: As little as 18 months, depending on previous experience
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $3,983.08/semester (in-state), $7,418.56/semester (out-of-state)
Admissions Requirements: Applicants must have completed a vocational nursing program and hold an unencumbered nursing license.
Curriculum: Courses range from introductory (Nursing Concepts and Competencies) to more advanced (Maternal and Newborn Nursing Care); most courses and exams are offered online.
Prairie View A&M University – LVN to BSN Distance Education program
Prairie View A&M University offers a “distance learning” program which allows students to attend BSN classes at one of two medical centers (The Houston Medical Center and The Northwest Houston Center). In addition to on-site courses, certain core classes are available online.
LVN to BSN students can take exams to earn up to 10 semester hours of advanced placement credit. Prairie View also offers an online RN to BSN program for nurses with an associate degree.
Duration: 124 credit hours
Mode: In person at one of two distance learning sites with some potential online options
Cost: $5,538.81/semester (in-state), $13,173.74 (out-of-state)
Admissions Requirements: Applicants must hold a degree from a vocational school or community college and a Texas LVN license, and must complete 60 prerequisite transferable credit hours. Applicants must also meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test requirements and pass a pre-nursing entrance exam.
Curriculum: Core curriculum including classes in algebra, anatomy, and physiology; support area coursework such as chemistry; and major classes like basic pathophysiology and mental health nursing
Sam Houston University – LVN to BSN program
Like most LVN to BSN tracks, the program at Sam Houston University is primarily in person at The Woodlands Center Campus. However, some required core classes such as Creative Arts and Intro to Psychology, may be available online.
The LVN to BSN program generally takes about four years and includes mostly core classes in the first two years and nursing specific study in the final two years. Sam Houston also offers an online BSN program for current RNs.
Duration: 121 credit hours
Mode: Primarily in-person, with some online opportunities
Cost: $4,614.20/semester (in-state), $9,534.20 (out-of-state)
Admissions Requirements: After admission to Sam Houston University, students must apply specifically to the school of nursing and complete the required prerequisites. They must also meet GPA requirements and receive an acceptable score on the TEAS VI (Test of Essential Academic Skills).
Curriculum: Courses include a mix of core requirements such as Communication and U.S. History, degree-specific courses like Human Anatomy & Physiology, and track-specific requirements such as Health Assessment and Mental Health & Illness.
FAQs for Texas LVN to BSN Online Students
As you explore LVN to BSN programs in Texas, it’s normal to have questions. If you’re wondering about what you’ll learn, what classes will look like, or your future earning potential, see below for answers to some common questions.
What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in a Texas LVN to BSN program?
Texas LVN to BSN programs include additional coursework in:
- Leadership and delegation
- Evidence-based practice
- Care coordination
- Diagnostic preparation
LVN to BSN programs build on your previous training as an LVN, incorporating specialized instruction to help you transition to positions that require a BSN. Each step is designed to deepen your skills and refine your technical healthcare knowledge. Most programs conclude with a practicum experience that anticipates the rigor and fast-paced conditions of real-world work environments.
What should I look for in an LVN to BSN program in Texas?
Look for board-approved LVN to BSN programs that are accredited. Every program you’re considering should be approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, which will ensure your eligibility for LVN licensure and further career advancement. Programs should be accredited through either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation ensures the program excels with innovative curriculums and high NCLEX-RN pass rates. Attending an accredited LVN to BSN program means your degree will be widely recognized.
Expert Insight
Another thing to consider when looking for a program is term length. During my BSN program, I attended a school with a quarter system – each term lasted around 10 weeks. My graduate program, however, was on a semester system (about 16 weeks). The longer term allowed me to spread out my study time.
How much do LVN to BSN programs in Texas cost and can I get financial aid?
Tuition rates vary from program to program, but financial aid is always available. Several factors can impact the cost of tuition, including:
- Type of school (public vs. private)
- Enrollment status (part- vs. full-time)
- Need to complete course prerequisites
- State residency
Keep in mind that tuition does not include university fees or other expenses, such as books and course materials, so expect your total program cost to be higher.
Financial aid can significantly reduce the cost of your education. Some LVN to BSN programs in Texas provide in-house financial awards, like scholarships and grants, exclusively to current and incoming students. Other programs offer special financial aid opportunities. Your school’s financial aid office is a great place to start your program funding search.
How long does it take to complete an LVN to BSN program in Texas?
Most students complete their studies in three years or less. The core components for LVN to BSN programs in Texas, like this one at Southwestern Adventist University, usually last five to six terms. Other schools, such as Prairie View A&M University, do not specify a timetable and instead offer a time limit, usually around five years.
If you haven’t completed general education or course prerequisites, you can expect to extend the average timeframe. Likewise, a significant number of transfer credits can expedite your program completion time.
Expert Insight
Towards the end of my graduate program, I missed a course enrollment deadline which delayed my graduation by several months. If you want to finish your LVN to BSN program as soon as possible, make sure to pay close attention to deadlines and know how many credits are needed for program completion. Your school can set you up with a program advisor if you need assistance.
Will employers care if I took some of my LVN to BSN classes online?
It is unlikely an employer would express concern over the format of your courses. Employers desire competent candidates with credentials verifying the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality, patient-centered care. As long as you attend an accredited, board-approved LVN to BSN program that provides those credentials, modality isn’t a factor.
Salary & Career Comparison: LVN vs. BSN
Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing in Texas can lead to better salary and employment opportunities as job outlook for registered nurses in Texas is projected to grow by 14.6% through 2032. That’s much higher than the 5.6% growth for RNs across the nation, translating to 16,900 job openings each year. Some of these openings are due to the rapid growth of healthcare, while others result from RNs retiring or moving into other positions, such as APRNs.
One of the biggest incentives for an LVN to become an RN is the potential for higher earnings. In Texas, an LVN earns a typical annual salary of $57,893. However, an RN in the state can earn a mean annual wage of $90,210 and the gap widens as you reach higher salary percentiles.
Finally, one of the main differences between an LVN and a BSN is the opportunity for advanced practice and leadership roles. LVNs are often limited to clinical settings, but with a BSN, you’ll be eligible for jobs with more responsibility. You can also pursue an advanced degree like an MSN or DNP.
