The U.S. Department of Labor projects that healthcare organizations in Texas will need to fill 16,900 registered nurse positions each year from 2022 through 2032 due to the need to replace nurses who are retiring or changing careers. Therefore, enrolling in a nursing degree completion program in Houston, the largest city in the state, could be a good career move.

Admission Requirements for a BSN Completion Program in Houston

Individuals who want to start a Houston BSN completion program must meet certain admission requirements. For example, at Denver College of Nursing’s Houston location, individuals need to:

  • Be at least 18 years old

  • Be a high school graduate or the equivalent

  • Comply with requirements in areas such as annual immunizations, health insurance coverage, CPR certification, criminal history, and negative drug tests

  • Be able to physically and emotionally perform routine daily tasks that students in nursing school perform

  • Meet the financial obligations of attending nursing school

  • Meet requirements related to technology (such as having access to a laptop) necessary for the nursing program

  • Comply with all requirements related to the transfer of credits from other institutions

Required Prerequisites for a BSN Completion Program in Houston

To begin a BSN completion program at Denver College of Nursing’s Houston campus, an individual who has not completed a bachelor’s degree program needs to have earned at least 80 quarter credits (or 56 semester credits) from an accredited institution, including 56 quarter credits (40 semester credits) of specific prerequisite courses.

Individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree need to have earned 32 quarter credits (21 semester credits) consisting of specific prerequisite courses. Individuals in both categories need to have achieved a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 and grades of C or above in the prerequisite courses.

Examples of required prerequisite course topics for those with or without a bachelor’s degree include:

  • Microbiology with lab

  • Anatomy and physiology with labs

  • Statistics

  • Human growth and development

  • Nutrition

Individuals will need to comply with additional requirements related to their prior coursework, such as a requirement to have taken certain courses within the last seven years and requirements for the composition of general education courses.

Length of a BSN Completion Program in Houston

If individuals meet all of the requirements for prior coursework at Denver College of Nursing’s Houston campus, they can earn the 100 nursing course quarter credits required in a BSN completion program in as little as 21 months (when enrolled full time). They will take nursing courses that cover areas such as:

  • Foundations of nursing

  • Health assessment

  • Pharmacology

  • Medical-surgical nursing

  • Pediatric nursing

  • Mental health nursing

  • Community and public health nursing

Steps to Enroll in a Nursing Program in Houston

Nursing programs in Houston require students to complete certain steps to enroll. In addition to complying with all of the admission requirements listed above, the primary steps in the admissions process at Denver College of Nursing’s Houston location are:

  • Participating in an admissions interview (by phone or in person) to receive guidance about the admissions process and learn about the nursing program

  • Submitting an application (including a one-page personal statement or essay), typically through an online process

  • Submitting to and passing a criminal background check and a drug screening

  • Signing and submitting a fit-for-practice form

  • Providing all required documentation, including transcripts and immunization records

  • Passing an entrance exam (for individuals who do not have a bachelor’s degree)

Nursing schools then review applications and related documentation and notify applicants whether or not they have been admitted. After applicants receive notification of admission, they are provided with academic advising regarding which specific courses to take. They then typically use an online portal to enroll in courses and pay all tuition and fees.

Enrolling in a Nursing Program in Houston to Earn a BSN Can Be a Beneficial Career Move

Enrolling in a nursing degree completion program in Houston can be the first step toward a fulfilling career that enables you to put your skills and expertise to good use. Earning a BSN is a great way to prepare for advancement on the nursing career path and play a valuable role in healthcare.

Individuals in Houston who have an interest in becoming a nurse can explore the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program that Denver College of Nursing offers on its Houston campus. This degree completion program can establish the foundation for a rewarding nursing career. Denver College of Nursing also offers nursing programs on its Denver campus, as well as online nursing programs that serve students in many other states.

Start turning your nursing career dreams into reality with Denver College of Nursing.

Recommended Readings
Educational Requirements for a Registered Nurse
ADN vs. BSN: Comparing the Nursing Degrees
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master’s Degree in Nursing?

Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Fact Sheet: Degree Completion Programs for Registered Nurses: RN to Master’s Degree and RN to Baccalaureate Programs
ANA Enterprise, “RN to BSN: Advancing Your Nursing Career”
BMC Psychology, “Determining Dimensions of Job Satisfaction in Healthcare Using Factor Analysis”
Denver College of Nursing, Catalog 2023-2024
U.S. Department of Labor, Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032)