According to nationwide surveys, nurses still remain at the top of the list of most respected fields in the country. As the country continues to grapple with multiple health issues, Texas remains one of the states with a robust nursing employment population. However, the industry has been hit hard, with many nurses leaving their posts as burnout continues to rage on.
Many also attribute the situation to the supply of nurses slowly dwindling down, which is causing difficulty meeting the increasing demand in hospitals. This is especially tricky when pressing health concerns still need to be completely eradicated.
Given that more nurses are needed to fill in the vacancies left by recent health concerns, it is even more important to look into options to improve professional skills and knowledge. If a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a requisite, then a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a valuable career milestone.
BSN to MSN Programs in Texas
Listed below are some of the popular school offering BSN to MSN programs in Texas:
- University of Houston
- University of Texas at El Paso
- University of Texas Arlington
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Keiser University
- Regent University
- South University
Aside from pressing health issues that have ravaged the world, the United States is also facing an aging population with an increasing number of chronic diseases. Nurses of all capacities will be required to address the health needs of this population when it comes to assessing, diagnosing, and treating their health concerns.
Nursing skills take time to learn and master, and that includes accessing higher education to specialize in certain fields of interest. The best way to add more value to one’s nursing career is to take up an MSN program that lines up perfectly with one’s focused preference.
Additionally, MSN degrees may help nurses advance toward doctorate degrees, especially if they are interested in the pursuit of higher learning and further career development. As a way to help nurses reach their professional goals, many Texas universities have stepped up to offer exceptional options for continued nursing education.
University of Houston
Providing exceptional nursing education standards to its students, the University of Houston College of Nursing upholds intrinsic values important to the industry. As medical knowledge and technology continue to advance, this college commits to pursuing excellence when it comes to preparing nurse leaders and health advocates for the community.
Their MSN programs accept students of diverse backgrounds who have the passion to further their clinical knowledge, competencies, and experience. There are two specialties to choose from.
MSN – Nursing Administrator
This is an administrative position that prepares students to become leaders when it comes to providing better healthcare access, quality, and safety. Nursing administrators are expected to be skilled in handling the operational and financial requirements of a healthcare organization or facility.
The program requires a total of 36 hours to complete, with 18 hours focused on required core nursing courses and 18 hours on academic concentration. Additionally, there is a Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Administration for students interested in getting this certificate, which requires an additional 9 hours. It should be noted that to proceed with this certification, students need to have a minimum grade of B.
MSN – Nursing Education
Nurse educators are trained to develop courses and curricula, using applied educational theories and practical experiences, for students and staff. These strategies developed for classroom and clinical environments are intended to prepare nurses when they begin their chosen specialties.
The program requires students to spend a total of 42 hours, of which 18 hours are dedicated to core nursing courses while 24 hours are focused on academic concentration. There is a Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education allowed for students with a minimum grade of B. In order to get this certification, students need to render 9 hours.
University of Texas at El Paso
Founded on the guiding principles of excellence, innovation, and diversity, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) College of Nursing aims to equip nurses with baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. With a focus on quality, service, communication, accountability, and ethics, this university seeks to produce nurses of the highest caliber.
Currently, there are two MSN programs offered by the university for students looking to enhance their career projections.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
AGACNPs are tasked with providing care for adults who are suffering from chronic and episodic health problems across acute care service needs. They are responsible when it comes to the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of adults who are critically or acutely ill.
The online program runs on a seven-week format with 49 hours over the course of seven semesters. There is a total of 775 clinical clock hours, and students may be required to be on campus, usually for the last three semesters.
MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
NNPs are trained to deliver high-quality care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), neonatal transport teams, and delivery room settings. Their health population focus encompasses preterm neonates, term neonates, infants, and children aged up to two years old.
The program runs through a seven-week format, requiring 48 hours over seven semesters. It also requires 775 clinical clock hours where highly innovative simulation lab experiences are included.
University of Texas Arlington
The University of Texas Arlington focuses on accelerating higher education through flexible BSN to MSN programs. The accelerated fully online MSN programs offer multiple start dates that allow students to unlock career and professional goals in just a few months.
There are a number of online MSN programs that the university offers. Some are sometimes more in demand than others, which are listed below.
MSN – Pediatric Acute Care NP (PNPAC)
PNPACs are equipped to provide evidence-based interventions to children in order to facilitate optimum growth and health. Graduates will be able to offer essential components of advanced nursing practices in various healthcare environments, which may include emergency rooms, critical care, and specialty clinics.
The online program runs for 31 to 33 months, depending on the learning pace of the students, with 45 credit hours. There are some applicants from other states who are not eligible to sign up for these online programs, although students can request approval, which is not guaranteed.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
AGACNPs offer an emphasis on providing late adolescents, adults, and older adults with health restoration, as well as management of acute, chronic, and complex illnesses. The scope includes assessing the members of the population focus who may be technologically dependent or physiologically unstable, aside from being vulnerable to health complications.
The online course runs for 29 to 33 months, with a requirement of 41 credit hours. Similar to other MSN programs offered by the university, not all applicants from other states are eligible for admission. Students can also qualify for a Post Master’s Certification for adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is recognized as the only university in West Texas to offer baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nursing. Using a variety of learning formats, this university enables its student to achieve high passing rates through exceptional and innovative learning modules.
While there are numerous MSN programs available, some prove to be more specialized than others.
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track (PMHNP)
PMHNPs are expected to assume the role of a psychiatric mental healthcare provider in their communities, whether under acute care or in telecare settings. Here, graduates will use evidence-based tools to assess, diagnose, and manage patients who exhibit common to complex mental health conditions throughout their entire lifespan.
This on-campus program runs on two types of degree plans. The full-time plan offers six semesters, whereas the part-time plan has nine, although both types require 49 credit hours.
MSN – Nursing Informatics (NI)
Nuursing informatics graduates are prepared to take on advanced roles in nursing informatics, which emphasizes analytical and technical competencies. Graduates under this program are eligible for the HIMSS Certified Professional in Health Information Management (CPHIMS) Exams and the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Board Certification.
The on-campus program can be completed in 36 credit hours. However, the university is unable to guarantee student acceptance for those from Arizona, California, Oregon, New York, and Washington.
Job Opportunities and Salaries in Texas for MSN Degree Holders
The healthcare environment in Texas has a high incidence of chronic and acute illnesses. Aside from these, mental health as well as maternal and childcare issues are prevalent.
As estimated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas has a high potential for nurses when it comes to employment and career growth. Moreover, the high number of hospitals found in the Lone Star State alone means that nurses will always be in demand.
Salaries for nurses in Texas can start at $59,000 to $99,000 and average around $77,000. The disparity largely depends on the employer as well as the education, certifications, skills, and experience of the nurse.
A nurse practitioner with an MSN degree can average around $106,960 with very little to no tax deductions. The projected growth for RN employment is 16.8 percent, placing Texas in the upper ranges when it comes to career opportunities, salary range, and adjusted cost of living.
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