Top Nursing Schools in San Antonio, TX:Online & Campus
The best nursing schools in San Antonio are prepared to address the nursing shortage and put more nurses in healthcare jobs in Texas. Learn how you can play a part and what to expect from in-person and online nursing schools in San Antonio.
Nurses are front and center in every healthcare system in the United States, and they’re in high demand — especially in San Antonio. Whether you’re a new nursing school student or an experienced nurse looking to expand your professional horizons, your skills will be needed to fill the gap. On-campus and online nursing schools in San Antonio are ready to prepare you for your first nursing job or for new responsibilities in hospitals, outpatient care centers, nursing homes, and more.
The good news is that with so many nursing schools in San Antonio, you’re bound to find the perfect program for your academic and professional needs. The bad news is that it can be difficult to try and sift through the plethora of programs to find one that’s right for you. This guide gives you a look at the best nursing schools in San Antonio, evaluates online and on-campus options, explains what you can expect when you move into the workforce, and more. Read on to learn more about the choices and find the right San Antonio nursing school for you.
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, Texas
Private
Types of Nursing Programs Available in or Near San Antonio, TX
Becoming a nurse in San Antonio can mean graduating from an associate degree program or rising through the degree levels to earn a doctorate. Finding the right nursing school in San Antonio can be a matter of carefully choosing your potential career path and then finding the program that is designed to make that dream a reality. So which program should you choose? Here are the options available at the best nursing schools in San Antonio.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in San Antonio
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Those who want to become registered nurses for the first time will usually need at least an associate degree. This two-year degree teaches the basics of nursing and prepares students for licensure in the state of Texas. It’s ideal for those who want to get into the workforce as soon as possible with a registered nursing credential and is available at multiple nursing schools in San Antonio.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
Alamo Colleges District, San Antonio College
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
This bachelor’s degree is considered “traditional” because it takes four years of full-time study to complete and used to be the main way students receive the education necessary to become RNs. This degree is for those who have no previous college experience or prior training as a nurse. The first two years focus on general education, prerequisites, and basic nursing classes, while the last two years focus strongly on nursing knowledge and skills, including clinicals.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
This program is designed for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field but want to become a BSN-prepared RN. Accelerated BSN programs accept previous bachelor’s courses as the core courses for the four-year degree, thus requiring only about a year or two to become a registered nurse.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in San Antonio for Current Nurses
LVN to RN and LVN to BSN Programs
Licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses can attend this program to earn their BSN at nursing schools in San Antonio. Once completed, they will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. This bridge program allows students to continue working in the field as they pursue their BSN and the opportunities for advancement it can bring.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
Alamo Colleges District, San Antonio College
Wayland Baptist University
RN to BSN Programs
Those who earned their registered nursing license after graduation from an accredited associate degree program can go back to school to earn their bachelor’s degree. A higher degree from a nursing school in San Antonio prepares a graduate with the skills necessary for advancement in the field, whether in a clinical setting or by earning a graduate degree.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
RN to MSN Programs
Registered nurses working in the field might choose to go straight to an MSN program instead of first getting a BSN. After earning a master’s degree in nursing, RNs will have the necessary knowledge and skills to become an advanced practice nurse or shift into a more supervisory role at work. Many of these programs are offered at online nursing schools in San Antonio.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in San Antonio
Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Nurses who graduated from a bachelor’s program in nursing and have their nursing license can take this traditional master’s in nursing at nursing schools in in San Antonio to prepare for advancement in clinical practice, nurse education, or administration.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
Galen College of Nursing
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs
Doctoral programs are as far as a student can go in the nursing field. The DNP is designed for those who want to put their newfound knowledge into clinical practice. The PhD is for those who want to move into research or teach the next generation of nurses. Applicants typically have several years of experience and a master’s degree, though some doctoral programs exist that accept incoming students with just a BSN.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
UT Health San Antonio
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
These programs are commonly used to increase knowledge of a particular specialization in the field of nursing, enhancing job prospects and potential pay. However, they provide this possibility without requiring the completion of a second MSN degree. In most cases, a student must hold a master’s degree to be eligible for these programs.
Examples of San Antonio, TX Nursing Schools with This Program
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
UT Health San Antonio
Online Learning Details
Online nursing schools in San Antonio provide maximum flexibility for nurses already working in the field. However, those who are just starting out will need to look into traditional or hybrid programs. Why? While some prerequisites or general education courses may be offered online, nursing courses that require hands-on training must be taken in person, with close supervision from a healthcare professional or preceptor.
Those who are in a master’s or doctoral program might find that their work is 100% online, especially if they plan to continue to work in the field while attending school. This work experience helps ensure any practicum requirements are met, which means the rest of the program can be completed at an online nursing school in San Antonio.
FAQs About Online Nursing Programs in San Antonio
Can I earn my nursing degree in San Antonio completely online?
Maybe, as it depends upon the degree level. Those who are working toward initial licensure in the state of Texas will attend programs that are either on campus or those that are hybrids. In hybrid programs, some courses can be taken online, but clinical work is handled in person. However, students who are already licensed and pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree might be able to find 100% online nursing schools in San Antonio.
Will my online San Antonio nursing degree be considered less valuable by employers?
It will not. As long as the online nursing school in San Antonio and its programs are properly accredited and/or approved by the Texas State Board of Nursing, employers won’t care if it was online or not. In fact, they might expect many courses to be taken online, considering how popular the option has become in recent years.
Are online nursing programs in San Antonio more affordable than campus programs?
They can be, but it depends. It’s important to remember that online nursing schools in San Antonio might not be any cheaper just because they are offered virtually. However, there are still some cost savings associated with online learning, such as the lack of a commute to class and the ability to avoid certain fees, like getting a parking pass to park on school grounds.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in San Antonio
Traditional or online nursing programs in San Antonio can come with eye-popping tuition, but keep in mind that’s not necessarily the actual cost of the degree. That tuition can decrease through grants, scholarships, fellowships, loans, tuition reimbursement, and even loan forgiveness plans. Look for grants and scholarships through private and public organizations, the schools themselves, or professional organizations. You may also be able to find tuition reimbursement or loan forgiveness either from a current employer or the state of Texas. To learn more about financial aid and tuition assistance, check out our nursing scholarship guide and financial aid guide.
How to Become an RN in San Antonio: Licensing Requirements
Becoming a registered nurse in San Antonio requires meeting the criteria set forth for nurses in the State of Texas by the Texas Board of Nursing. Graduates from an accredited or approved nursing program complete their online application, submit to a criminal background check, register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN, take the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam, and provide an affidavit of graduation. Upon passing the NCLEX-RN and jurisprudence exam, you become a licensed nurse in the state of Texas. To learn more about this process, visit this guide to nursing programs in Texas.
How Much You Could Make as an RN in San Antonio?
Registered Nurses (RNs) in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area earn competitive salaries, though slightly lower than the state median. The median annual income for RNs in this region is $83,740, compared to the state median of $85,110. Newly minted nurses in the 10th percentile earn around $63,480, while experienced and specialized nurses in the 90th percentile can earn up to $108,660. These figures indicate that while San Antonio offers a solid salary for RNs, the pay tends to be more modest compared to larger cities like Houston or Austin. However, the area's cost of living is generally lower, which may offer a better overall quality of life for healthcare professionals in the region.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $64,580 | $85,110 | $115,740 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $63,480 | $83,740 | $108,660 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Additional San Antonio Nursing Resources
Emergency Nurses Association–-San Antonio Chapter
The Emergency Nurses Association promotes the interests of nurses from all over the world and local areas (such as San Antonio) through networking, government advocacy, and promoting scientific research.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)--San Antonio Chapter
To advance the professional interests of Hispanic nurses in San Antonio and the surrounding areas, the NAHN helps its members make the most of educational, networking, and healthcare development opportunities.
National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)–Local Chapters
To help nursing students and those in clinical practice, the NSNA offers mentorship and network opportunities as well as promotion of improved nursing standards and ethics. Local chapters are available at nursing schools in San Antonio.
The San Antonio Nursing Consortium
This nursing organization is unique in that it is made up of many other San Antonio nursing organizations. For example, it currently has 15 member organizations, such as the Texas Emergency Nurses Association; the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses San Antonio chapter.
Texas State Association of Occupational Health Nurses—San Antonio Texas Chapter
The mission of the Texas State Association of Occupational Health Nurses is to improve the health and safety of the Texas workforce by promoting the professional development of occupational health nurses in the state, including its San Antonio chapter.
