Nursing Programs in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is a beautiful, sunny city with a population of 24,789,312, which is approximately 62 percent Hispanic. San Antonio has six accredited colleges and universities and five community colleges, so attending nursing school in San Antonio can be a reality for you! There are several different nursing programs available, from getting your education as an Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to earning a Doctoral degree.
Nursing Schools in San Antonio, TX
The University of Texas at San Antonio has a traditional track nursing program, and they also have an Accelerated BSN program, which is designed for students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree in another field. In this program, you complete 60 hours of nursing credits, equaling 15 months of full-time study.
Other accredited nursing schools in San Antonio and some of the programs they provide are listed below. If you do not find what you are looking for locally, there are many nursing programs in Texas to select from.
- Our Lady of the Lake University has the following programs; RN to BSN, RN to MSN, Nurse Administration Specialization for the MSN and a MSN Faculty program
- The University of the Incarnate Word was founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity. Their nursing programs include the traditional BSN, RN–MSN, MSN and DPN.
- Texas A&M San Antonio.
- Alamo Community College District includes; Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, Saint Phillips College, San Antonio College, and Northeast Lakeview College.
- Fortress College has a program for LVNs, and a 90 percent graduation rate. They help with student job placement. Career Point Education is another college for LPNs.
Curriculum, Costs, and Financial Aid of Nursing programs in San Antonio
In a traditional four-year Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program the core courses in most colleges are very similar and focus on the general education studies you will need to succeed in nursing. Your general courses will include those in Science, including Anatomy & Physiology, Biology and Chemistry, as well as those in English, Statistics and Ethics.
The nursing courses you will take with have both classroom and clinical components and typically include:
- Professional Nursing Roles
- Health Promotion throughout the Lifespan
- Family Nursing Care: Theoretical Foundations & Applications
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Community Health Nursing & Nursing Practicum
- Disease Management I, II, III
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Nursing Leadership and Management
To qualify for financial aid you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, plus have a high school diploma or GED. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in applying for federal aid, which may be grants, loans and work-study. They may be local, state or federal assistance. The Pell Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant are two examples of federal grants.
Texas has a top 10 percent scholarship program to encourage students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class to attend a Texas public college or university. Texas also has and Educational Opportunity Grant Program (TEOG), which provides a way to meet the needs of financially insecure students enrolled in Texas public two-year colleges. Many hospitals also offer tuition reimbursement for their working nurses, important to those of you who are pursuing an advanced degree in nursing.
To learn more about all of the nursing schools in the San Antonio area, contact the schools that interest you and request program information. Start expanding your future career options today by learning how your educational goals can be met!
Life and Career Options in San Antonio
There are currently 14,460 employed RN’s in San Antonio. The bulk of these RNs are employed by hospitals, however other good opportunities may be found in physician offices, home health care, residential care facilities and schools. If you are a Spanish speaker, your services as a nurse are especially important in San Antonio, as much of the city’s population needs access to nursing care that can be provided in the Spanish language. Hospitals benefit by having a bilingual nurses on staff, so be sure to let your future employers know if you possess this crucial language skill.
Hospitals in San Antonio
San Antonio’s annual mean wage for RNs is $66,430, and LPN/LVNs earn a median wage of $44,970 annually, according to the BLS (2016). If you are looking to attend a San Antonio college, nursing is one of the best programs to choose, as healthcare continues to be one of the strongest segments of the American economy year after year. Getting your nursing degree now is a great way to position yourself to enter a fulfilling and rewarding profession; a profession you can be proud of!
If you are already working as a nurse in San Antonio, and are looking to expand your education to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), a Nurse Educator, or a Nursing Executive you likely understand how this can move your career forward. APRNs and Master’s educated nurses typically have excellent job opportunities, in a wide variety of settings. Some of the most rewarding opportunities are found in outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals, physician offices, home health services and at colleges, universities and professional schools.
San Antonio also has several nursing associations, including the Texas Nurses Association began over 100 years ago. They are an advocacy group for nurses and patients as they supply the tools necessary to advocate for the patient’s well-being. Some of the other associations include San Antonio Nurses in Advance Practice, San Antonio Emergency Nurses Association and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses San Antonio. As you look to fund your attendance in one of the nursing programs in San Antonio, be sure to check with these groups for scholarship and grant opportunities.
The Texas Campaign for Action believes all Texans deserve better care, better health and lowered healthcare costs. As nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers in the state, they are working tirelessly to achieve these three goals. Furthering your own nursing education is a great way to align yourself with the goals of this group, and can result in improved health in your community.
