MSN-Ed, BSN, RN
We often hear about the nursing shortage, but the U.S. also has a major physician shortage and Texas is among the top states. This places many Texas RNs in an advantageous position. Becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Texas can help fill the provider shortage, expanding access to care for many Texas residents. However, going back to school for a graduate nursing degree can be costly.
Yes, your workplace might offer a tuition assistance program, but why stop there? Many organizations offer scholarships to RNs pursuing graduate degrees. This applies to RNs with an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to go back for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), Ph.D., or other nursing-related graduate degree.
If you’re an RN pursuing an advanced degree, learn about APRN salary and job outlook in Texas, tuition costs, and scholarships.
Attending graduate school in Texas may be a great move for your career. As of 2023, 85% of APRNs in Texas are nurse practitioners (NPs), 12% are nurse anesthetists, 2% are clinical nurse specialists, and 1% are nurse midwives.
Currently, Texas has a surplus of NPs, and this trend is expected to remain until 2032. If you’re pursuing an NP role and are open to traveling to another state to help relieve the NP shortage outside of Texas, you don’t necessarily have to lose your Texas residency. As of October 2024, travel NPs can make up to $144,000 per year.
The average APRN salaries in the U.S. include $126,000 for NPs, $130,000 for nurse midwives, and $213,000 for nurse anesthetists. APRN jobs nationwide are expected to grow 40% by 2033, which is much faster than the average growth rate of most jobs.
But rememNot every graduate nursing degree is an APRN degree. APRNs serve in advanced clinical roles and diagnose patients. Nurse educators, administrators, informaticists, researchers, clinical nurse leaders, and public health nurses may also hold graduate nursing degrees but are not considered APRNs. Scholarships are available to Texas RNs interested in these roles as well.
Texas tuition for graduate nursing programs can cost up to $10,000 per year at public institutions. Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a Texas resident, tuition costs can more than double. These numbers do not reflect tuition costs at private institutions. Neither does it include costs for books, uniforms, or clinical training equipment like stethoscopes, second-hand watches, and pen lights.
While these numbers can be intimidating, scholarships can cover some, if not all, costs of returning to school, especially if you apply for several. Keep in mind that some scholarship sponsors may require you to be a member of a particular nursing organization before you can even apply. Fortunately, some membership dues are as low as $150 per year, and you’ll have access to benefits like free continuing education credits, job boards, discounts on retailers, and more.
Of all graduate nursing specialty programs, nurse anesthetist and nurse informaticist programs are growing in popularity among Texas RNs. If you’re interested in (or already enrolled in) these programs or other graduate nursing programs and want to save on tuition costs, explore these 15 scholarships for Texas RNs. Visit each sponsor’s website to confirm deadlines, eligibility, and monetary awards. Many scholarships are offered annually.
As a Texas RN, advancing your career is an excellent career move, as the nursing industry has many areas of need. If finances are a determining factor for returning to school, consider applying for multiple scholarships. If lack of time is an issue, many nursing schools offer online or part-time programs, many of which are more affordable than traditional full-time programs.
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