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Are you thinking about advanced nursing practice in the Lone Star State?
Then you need to consider BSN to DNP programs in Texas. Many of these programs will allow you to earn your DNP in at least 3 years, with most allowing for online class sessions.
You can choose the tracks that suit you best. The common BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner concentrations are:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
You can also pursue other advanced nursing paths, such as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Health Leadership tracks.
Here’s the list of 9 accredited best BSN to DNP Programs in Texas.
9 Best BSN To DNP Programs in Texas
1. UT Health Houston BSN to DNP Program
I. BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner Tracks
UT Health Houston’s BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner Tracks Program is designed to transform BSN registered nurses into advanced practice nurse leaders in the field.
You can enroll in the program either part-time or full-time, ensuring it fits around your existing work commitments. Each NP track is made up of 79 credit hours, which can be completed in 5-10 semesters.
The majority of coursework is conducted online, with additional in-person sessions needed.
Choose Your NP Specialty
The UT Health Houston BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner Tracks are:
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Note: Regarding RN Experience
While it’s possible to apply with less than the required one year of experience, you’ll need to complete this full year of experience before the program begins.
II. BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track
If you are considering specializing in nurse anesthesia, UT Health Houston’s BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track could be the program for you.
This full-time, on-campus program spans over 9 semesters, equating to 36 months. In this period, you’ll complete a total of 112 credit hours.
Comprehensive Anesthesia Training
You will acquire skills to handle the entire anesthesia process for patients of all ages – from pre-anesthetic assessment and planning to administration and post-care monitoring.
The program’s comprehensive approach ensures that you emerge as a skilled professional, capable of providing seamless anesthesia care.
Besides technical proficiency, the program emphasizes developing leadership qualities and an understanding of quality improvement measures. This will empower you to enhance the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care.
Post-Graduation?
Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the National Certification Examination (NCE) for Nurse Anesthetists- conducted by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
2. UT Health San Antonio BSN to DNP Program
The UT Health San Antonio BSN to DNP Program helps you upgrade your bachelor’s degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice in just three years.
Format
With a hybrid delivery format, you’ll need to be on campus for one to three days per week. The frequency depends on whether you’re studying full-time or part-time.
Curriculum
This BSN to DNP curriculum teaches you essential skills to be a leader in healthcare. It covers courses like advocating for public policy, making an organization better, understanding health data, and managing business & finances.
It also focuses on translating research into real-world solutions, promoting health for everyone, as well as advancing clinical practice.
Choose Your Specialty
You’re allowed to select one of the five specialty areas depending on your interest and career goals. These include:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care.
3. Texas Tech University BSN to DNP Program
Texas Tech University offers a comprehensive BSN to DNP program that might just be your key to advanced nursing practice. This is a 4-year program that blends online and face-to-face courses with supervised clinical experiences.
It consists of 78 credit hours aimed at preparing you with the scientific knowledge and practical expertise you’ll need in the field.
Impactful Outcomes
After completing this program, you’ll be able to enhance the quality of health outcomes to make healthcare more accessible everywhere- from small-town clinics to major urban health systems.
Choose Your Specialty
You can choose from:
- Family Nurse Practitioner track
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track
4. The University of Texas Medical Branch BSN to DNP Program
The UTMB BSN to DNP program is part-time, typically offering two online courses each semester. You’re only required to visit campus once a semester for a 2-3 day period, during which you’ll engage in seminars, classes, and meaningful interaction with faculty and peers.
Choose Your Specialty
Depending on your chosen track, the program can be completed in 12 or 13 semesters. Here’s what’s on offer:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Over 12 semesters, you’ll complete 1,020 clinical hours, gaining valuable experience for your future practice.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): Also spanning 12 semesters, this track too requires 1,020 clinical hours.
- Dual FNP/AGACNP track: Unique in Texas, this 13-semester program requires 1,380 clinical hours, equipping you to practice in both family and adult-gerontology acute care settings.
Outcomes
Beyond practical skills, this program prepares you to play an active role in transforming health care, with a particular emphasis on improving access to quality care and promoting health equity for diverse populations.
Capstone Project
To conclude your learning journey, you’ll undertake a capstone project. This will give you the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve gained throughout the program to identify and address a specific clinical problem or need.
This real-world, evidence-based approach will allow you to put theory into practice and prepare you for the challenges of advanced nursing practice.
5. Texas Christian University BSN to DNP Program
The TCU BSN to DNP online program can either be full-time or part-time. The full-time program can be completed in 3 years (9 semesters).
While it is online, you will need to attend certain in-person sessions on campus. These include an orientation day before the program starts, on-campus intensives throughout the program, and the presentation of your DNP Project.
Choose Your Specialty
Your advanced practice specialty will determine the credit hours required for your degree (66 or 70):
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): This involves 70 total credit hours, which includes at least 1,000 clinical hours. You can opt for a three or four-year track.
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Similar to the AGACNP track, this requires 70 total credit hours, inclusive of 1,000 clinical hours. Choose between a three-year or four-year track.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): This option also comprises 70 total credit hours with a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. Again, both three and four-year tracks are available.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) (Pediatric Track): Slightly different, this requires 66 total credit hours, including at least 1,000 clinical hours. You can complete this in either three or four years.
Outcomes
The TCU BSN to DNP program seeks to prepare you for clinical leadership roles in a variety of settings- be it healthcare, business, government, or educational settings.
6. Abilene Christian University Online BSN to DNP Program
Abilene Christian University offers an online BSN to DNP program that’s designed with a thoughtful structure to support your career progression. This comprehensive program is ideal for those who aim to shape the future of healthcare as nurse leaders and educators.
The curriculum is broken down into three parts. First, you’ll build upon your BSN knowledge with an 18-credit-hour pathway sequence. Next, you’ll delve into the core courses of a DNP, followed by a specialized concentration in Executive Nursing Leadership.
You can earn your DNP in roughly 3 years.
Format
With an optimal blend of online coursework and in-person clinical assignments, this program is structured around your existing commitments.
The in-person clinical component involves 500 hours of practical experience and two workplace projects.
Outcomes
Graduating from this program equips you to take on leadership and educator roles in the nursing field.
You’ll be well-prepared to advocate for patients and improve community outcomes for nursing facilities- through your learned ability to implement research and evidence-based care.
7. The University of the Incarnate Word BSN to DNP Program
The University of the Incarnate Word BSN to DNP program uses a blended learning approach, providing a balance between online (both asynchronous and synchronous) and face-to-face instruction.
You’ll have on-site classes twice a month and the rest of the instruction will be conducted online.
Choose Your NP Specialty
Tailor your learning to your career aspirations with two available concentrations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): includes a 77-credit-hour program accompanied by 1,152 clinical hours.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): consists of a 76-credit-hour program with 1,216 clinical hours.
Outcomes
This program not only gets you ready for the NP certification exam, but also instills important concepts like cultural competence and inter-professional collaboration. Also, you’ll learn the university’s core values of faith, service, innovation, truth, and education.
8. Concordia University Texas BSN to DNP Program
The Concordia University Texas 3-year BSN to DNP program is tailored for BSN nurses looking to foster positive change in healthcare by enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families.
Format
With 100% online coursework, you can learn while managing your professional responsibilities.
Outcomes
The focus of the program is on visionary leadership and indirect care of populations.
You’ll be prepared to offer interprofessional leadership, coordinate quality improvements, implement evidence-based practices, and stand up for social justice by scrutinizing healthcare policies.
9. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences BSN to DNP Program, Dallas, TX Campus
USAHS BSN to DNP Program provides 2 pathways:
I. Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty
This pathway, spanning 4 years, blends online coursework with an on-campus clinical intensive. It consists of 71 credit hours and 1,035 practicum hours.
As an FNP graduate, you’ll work alongside families across their lifespan, promoting preventative care, diagnosing conditions, and managing both acute and chronic illnesses.
II. Nurse Executive Specialty
This 3-year and four-month course focuses on online coursework with optional virtual immersions. It includes 64 credit hours and 1,000 practicum hours.
The goal is to prepare you for leadership roles in nursing – think manager, director, supervisor, or chief nursing officer. You’ll be equipped to handle HR management, healthcare finance, and economic operations.
Admission Requirements for BSN to DNP Programs in Texas
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Earned from a CCNE-accredited institution.
- Registered Nurse (RN) License: An active and unrestricted RN license.
- GPA: Typically, a minimum GPA of around 3.0 in your BSN degree, but this can vary by program.
- Experience: Most programs require at least 1 year of work experience as an RN.
- Letters of Recommendation: Typically, you’ll need to submit professional references attesting to your qualifications for advanced nursing practice.
- Statement of Purpose or Personal Essay: This outlines your career goals and why you’re interested in the program.
- Resume/CV: This should document your nursing experience and any other relevant qualifications.
- Interview: Some programs require an interview as part of the application process.
- GRE: Some programs may require GRE scores, but many dropped this requirement.
Why Pursue a BSN to DNP Program in Texas?
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas, like many other states, is experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians- with 224 of the state’s 254 counties having such a shortage.
While Texas still requires NPs to work under a physician’s supervision, the state legislature is considering enacting a law to make it a “full practice” state for NPs.
With a DNP degree, you will be prepared to offer advanced care, especially in underserved rural areas- when this law is passed.
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Disclaimer:
- Information on these programs may change without notice. So, we cannot guarantee their authenticity and accuracy. You’d have to check with the school and do further research. Our review list is simply for guidance and cannot be relied upon exclusively without research on your part.
- Before enrollment, check with your state regarding licensing rules or whether your desired program meets your home state’s certification requirements and licensure.
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