Texas’s Top 5 Nurse Practitioner Programs

My youngest sister attends college in Texas…and she loves it.  Growing up on the West Coast, I wouldn’t have expected her to so quickly gain such a high level of Texas pride.  But, like they say, everything is bigger and better in Texas and according to her it’s true.  Looking at the nurse practitioner programs Texas has to offer, I can’t disagree with her assessment.  Texas boasts some excellent offerings when it comes to NP programs.  The nurse practitioner programs in Texas are so strong they are worth considering not only for Texas residents, but also those prospective students willing to relocate for their education.  Which programs are best when it comes to educating future nurse practitioners?

1. University of Texas at Austin

Not only does the University of Texas at Austin boast a 100% pass rate for graduates on the national nurse practitioner certification exam as well as 100% job placement within a few months of graduation for NP students, they have a wealth of program offerings.  Students can select from a variety of nurse practitioner specialties from Family Nurse Practitioner to holistic health.  The University of Texas at Austin also offers a rare Alternate Entry of Science (AE-MSN) program for students who want to become nurse practitioners but do not hold a nursing degree.  Variety and strength of program offerings makes the University of Texas at Austin our top pick for Texas’s NP program list.

2. University of Texas at Houston

The University of Texas at Houston offers a number of nurse practitioner programs from Family Nurse Practitioner to Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.  Programs are a compilation of online and face-to-face coursework giving students variety in their education.  Not to mention, like our top pick, the University of Texas at Houston NP program graduates have a 100% pass rate on the national nurse practitioner certification exam.  Upon graduation, 100% of students find jobs as nurse practitioners within a few months. Prospective students should note that for most specialties one year of nursing experience is required prior to application.

3. Texas A&M Corpus Christi

While Texas A&M Corpus Christi offers just one nurse practitioner specialty, Family Nurse Practitioner, the program is strong.  In 2012, 99% of Texas A&M NP program graduates passed the national certification exam upon graduation, well above the national average.  Faculty say that 100% of graduates find jobs within a few months of graduation.  Most students choose to work as nurse practitioners however some students choose roles in other areas such as teaching.  The FNP program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi is offered completely online.  The school also offers an RN-MSN program as well as an RN-MSN bridge program for students without a BSN degree.

4. Texas Tech University

Not only does Texas Tech University offer a wealth of nurse practitioner programs, the school is home to the first DNP program in West Texas. Complete with MSN programs in specialties from Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, students with a wide range of interests will find programs to fit their needs at Texas Tech University.  An added perk, TTU’s NP programs are online requiring only occasional travel to campus.  Texas Tech University’s graduates fare well as evidenced by a 96% pass rate on the national nurse practitioner certification exam and a 100% job placement rate within a few months of graduation.

5. West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University sticks to the basics with its NP program offerings.  With the Family Nurse Practitioner program as its only nurse practitioner specialty, West Texas A&M University focuses on quality.  Graduates of this traditional on-campus program have a 100% job placement rate within a few months of graduation and a pass rate of over 90% among NP program graduates.

Are you looking for a nurse practitioner program in Texas?  Where are you applying?

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