Become an RN in Dallas:
FAQs at our Texas Campus
Become a Registered Nurse with a BSN degree at Arizona College of Nursing – Dallas. Below you will find some of the frequently asked questions that future RN’s often ask our campus faculty and staff.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse (RN)?
The length of time it takes to become an RN with a BSN can vary depending on the program and the student’s prior educational background. Bachelor’s degrees often take 4 years to complete, but with our 3-year BSN program, you can complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 3 years.
If you have completed some college credit or have a degree in another field, qualifying transfer credits can shorten your program length. To learn more about the pathway to becoming an RN with a BSN degree in Texas, contact an admissions representative at our Dallas campus.
Preparing Future RNs at Arizona College of Nursing – Dallas
Understanding the differences between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is crucial to planning your nursing career path. This is because the education requirements between RNs and LPNs vary significantly. An LPN program typically takes about 1-2 years to complete. It is intended to prepare students for entry-level nursing roles to perform basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. While the time commitment to complete an LPN program is relatively short, LPNs often find their employment opportunities very limited.
Click here to read our blog post comparing a LPN Program with a BSN Program.
Students must enroll in an approved program in Texas. Most Texas programs culminate in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The state boasts one hospital-based diploma program. A majority of Texas hospitals surveyed (58.1%) consider the bachelor’s important.
Source: https://www.nursinglicensure.org/nursing-paths/rn-texas.html
Registered Nurses in TX have a median salary of $85,110 per year.
As you will be newly entering the workforce, it’s important to know that you will likely not start at the median rate but would likely increase your earnings with experience.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Registered Nurses in TX range from a low rate of $64,580 per year, to the highest-paid Nurses earning as much as $115,740 per year.
Updated 06/2024. Source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1141.00?st=TX
Registered nurses held about 3.2 million jobs in 2022.
Updated 2024. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
Transferring credits can get you on track to complete your program in less time and at a lower cost. Students can progress through our BSN program of study in 3-years or less with qualifying transfer credits, if the courses apply to the program of study. For questions about transfer credits, including credits associated with college level credit test scores, visit our Campus Locations page for details to contact your local campus.
Read more about Arizona College of Nursing’s credit transfer requirements.
Students of all ages and backgrounds who qualify may be eligible for a variety of financial aid programs and payment options including:
- Federal student loans
- Federal PELL and SEOG grants
- Eligible State-based grant programs
- Private educational loans
- Military veteran educational benefits (ex: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®)*
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. The Falls Church, Hartford, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, Greenville, Melbourne, and Chesapeake Arizona College of Nursing campuses are not approved to train eligible Veterans and their dependents.
Yes. While every student’s schedule may vary due to prior academic experience, you’ll start your BSN degree program with evening general education courses. In addition, some general education courses are offered in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format.
We offer general education courses in the evening because we know students are busy and often can’t immediately change their entire schedule when starting Nursing school.
Once you begin your Core Nursing courses, your schedule will shift to daytime classes.
As of 2020, there were 220,980 RNs employed in Texas.
Registered Nurses jobs in Texas are projected to grow by 17% between 2020 and 2030.
RN employment in the United States is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, creating 193,100 new nursing jobs.
Updated 06/2024: Data Source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-1141.00?st=TX
There are various parts of the cost to become a nurse in the state of Texas. First, you must complete an accredited nursing program.
Next, RNs in Texas must pay the necessary fees ($100 for APRN or $150 for APRN with prescriptive authority).
Source: https://nursejournal.org/licensing/texas-nursing-requirements/
Candidates are allowed to retake the NCLEX-RN exam – many times, in fact if they need and want to. However, they must continue to turn in an application to the Texas BON and pay applicable fees. A US-educated candidate must pass within four years of graduation. The last application must be made at least 120 days before eligibility ends.
Source: https://www.nursinglicensure.org
Unlike public colleges that are primarily publicly-funded and run, private colleges operate as non-governmental entities. Our BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org) and institutionally accredited through Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). We’re also approved by the Texas Board of Nursing to prepare students for an RN career. Our accelerated 3-year BSN program is designed to meet rigorous accreditation and industry standards, setting you up for future success. We accept applications on an on-going basis with new sessions starting every 8 weeks. Contact us today to apply!