Nursing Programs in Houston, TX

The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston:
The University of Texas School of Nursing in Houston is ranked in the top five percent of nursing schools in the USA. The campus is located in the Texas Medical Center where students enjoy the resources of a distinguished health science center combined with the expertise of the world's largest medical center. The School of Nursing offers degree programs resulting in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The school also provides a wide variety of settings in which students and faculty can study, conduct research, and participate in clinical practice.

We offer the following undergraduate & graduate academic programs:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):
The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston has several exciting opportunities that lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Graduates of our programs are prepared to take the licensure examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses. Our graduates have a high degree of success in passing this exam and are highly sought after by employers.

Traditional BSN (4 semesters):
This is a full-time four (4) semester program which consists of clinical, skills lab, and nursing theory courses. Students will apply the theoretical nursing concepts to patient care in the clinical settings. The prerequisite coursework can be completed at any accredited institution. As applicants near the completion of 40 hours of prerequisites, they can begin applying to our program.

Accelerated Second Degree BSN (Bacc2) (3 semesters):
Applicants holding a bachelor's degree in another field who are interested in changing career paths may consider the Bacc2, an intensive program of study with all of the nursing theory courses offered online. A weekly seminar and clinical skills practice are held on campus. Hospital clinical is held in or near the Texas Medical Center. Students will take 20 hours each of the three semesters.

RN-BSN (3 semesters):
The University of Texas at Houston School of Nursing has a continuing commitment to assist returning registered nurses in attaining the baccalaureate degree. All RN students will have the opportunity to receive advanced placement credit of 29 hours upon completion of specific courses.

Master of Science in Nursing:
The program of study leading to the MSN degree combines online courses with face-to-face courses and clinical experiences offering flexibility to students. The curriculum depends on the clinical concentration the student selects. Students have the following clinical concentrations from which to choose from:

- Acute Care Nursing
- Adult Health
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Gerontological Nursing
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Nursing Leadership and Administration in Health Systems
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
- Women’s Health Care

Doctor of Nursing Practice:
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a practice doctorate that prepares advanced practice nurses to be clinical scholars recognized for outstanding innovative evidence-based patient care and leadership in nursing practice and health care organizations.

The program is a post-masters program that admits nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists. Plans are underway to admint nurse administrators in the future. Both part-time and full time options are available. Although most students are admitted once a year in the fall, applications are processed throughout the year. The program includes 46 credit hours distributed as follows: foundational courses, 18 credits; advanced clinical courses, 18 credits; and fellowship and seminar courses, 10 credits. In order to meet the needs of busy advanced practice nurses, classes are scheduled in blocks of intense instruction to minimize travel and impact on work scheduling. Students attend classes at the Houston campus for one day per class each month (4 times a semester) and also engage in on-line learning activities. Individualized clinical and fellowship experiences are planned to support the student’s goals and achieved of the national DNP competencies.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Program:
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Program is designed to prepare researchers to develop, test, and implement innovation in health care delivery and to teach the next generation of nurses in research. Doctoral graduates of the program have various career options, including faculty positions in schools or colleges of nursing, director and investigator positions in nursing related research programs, and nurse leader roles in health care delivery.

Post-Master’s Program:
The Post-Master’s Program is available for nurses with a Master’s degree in nursing. It is designed to expand expertise in a given area. The program of study combines online courses with face-to-face courses and clinical experiences offering flexibility to students. The curriculum depends on the clinical concentration the student selects.

Students have the following clinical concentrations from which to choose from:

- Acute Care Nursing
- Adult Health
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Gerontological Nursing
- Nursing Leadership and Administration in Health Systems
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
- Women’s Health Care
- Oncology Nursing

With the exception of Nursing Leadership and Administration in Health Systems, the curriculum is designed for prospective students that are advanced practice nurses. Individuals that are not advanced practice nurses should consult with the director of the clinical concentration of interest.

Many of the clinical concentrations offer students the opportunity to choose a functional role. Prospective students should review clinical concentrations of interest to determine the availability of role options. Available options may include:

•Clinical Nurse Specialist
This role prepares advanced practice nurses to function in the areas of direct clinical practice, coaching and guidance, consultation, research, leadership, and collaboration.

•Nurse Practitioner
This role prepares advanced practice nurses to care for patients across the continuum of health care. The focus is on health promotion, risk reduction, prevention, and providing interdisciplinary collaborative practice.

•Education
This role prepares nursing students for faculty positions in programs of basic professional education, staff development or consumer education. The role focuses on curriculum and instructional design, principles of teacher-learner communication, learner assessment, and evaluation.