Registered Nursing Program
The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program at the Baptist Health System School of Health Professions provides the education and professional training necessary to prepare for the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). Chartered in 1903, we are the oldest nursing school in San Antonio and the oldest associate degree nursing program in Texas.
What is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed nursing professional who provides hands-on care in clinical settings, promoting health, preventing disease and helping patients and families cope with illness.
Nurses should be caring and sympathetic, able to accept responsibility, make decisions and work with and supervise others. RNs need physical and emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies and other stress.
Registered Nurse Employment Outlook
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600 in May 2021. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses). Actual salaries and employment opportunities may vary depending upon geographic location, market employment trends by local area, employer size, employee experience and employee credentials. Prospective students should research the local employment opportunities as a part of their decision-making processes.
Registered Nursing Program Details
As a hospital-based nursing program, emphasis is on substantial clinical experience in which opportunities exist to apply classroom theory to clinical practice. Students spend time in each of the major specialty divisions, such as inpatient perioperative areas, emergency departments, critical care units, psychiatry, pediatrics and obstetrics, as well as in adult medical-surgical areas and community-based settings.
Institutional Accreditation
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
www.abhes.org
Programmatic Accreditation
The associate nursing program at Baptist School of Health Professions located in San Antonio, Texas is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Programmatic Approval
Texas Board of Nursing (TBON)
www.bon.texas.gov
To be considered for admission to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program, applicants must meet the following prerequisite and TEAS exam requirements:
Prerequisites
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 semester credit hours)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 semester credit hours)
- Microbiology with lab (4 semester credit hours)
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher at an accredited college or university. Prerequisite courses cannot be older than 7 years*.
*Direct patient care experience may be considered if prerequisites are older than 7 years.
TEAS Exam
Applicants must complete the TEAS exam with a minimum overall score of 65%.
- Applicants can register for the TEAS exam at https://atitesting.com/.
- In-person and remote online methods both accepted
- Scores must be met on one single exam
- Scores cannot be older than two years from the deadline of the semester you are applying to
- Unlimited number of attempts and no waiting period between attempts
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
If I repeat a prerequisite course, does that count against me?
We do not consider repeated prerequisite coursework in our GPA calculation. We will use the highest grade earned in a prerequisite course.
Do all prerequisites need to be completed prior to applying?
Applicants can be in progress with one prerequisite course during the application cycle and still be considered for the program. If admitted to the program, the applicant must complete the in progress prerequisite course prior to the start of the program.
Does BSHP offer the prerequisite courses?
Prerequisite courses are not offered at BSHP. All prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
What are the applications deadlines?
Application deadlines can be reviewed here.
When will I receive an admissions decision?
Admissions decisions are sent via email approximately two weeks after each deadline.
The current curriculum plan is located in our Academic Catalog.
Provided below are typical class schedules for each delivery. The times listed are general timeframes and not a set schedule. Actual lecture and clinical times may fall within the hours listed below. Please note the days and time vary per course and are always subject to change. All times are in Central Standard Time (CST).
| Delivery | Program Starts | Lecture Schedule | Clinical Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Fall Spring Summer | Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Typically meets one to three days a week | Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. Typically meets one day a week. Saturday or Sunday may be required. |
| Evening/Weekend | Fall | Monday – Thursday 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Typically meets two to three days a week | Monday – Sunday 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Typically meets one day for a 10-12-hour shift. Weekday clinical may be required based on site availability. |
There are five general education courses built into the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program curriculum. Transfer credit may be considered for the following general education courses if they are equivalent in content, taken at an accredited institution, and completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
- English Composition I
- College Algebra (or higher)
- Introduction to Sociology
- Lifespan Growth & Development
- Introduction to Ethics or Medical Law & Ethics
Transfer credit for nursing coursework will be reviewed by the program director after someone has been admitted to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program.
Is this program offered fully online?
No, the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program is delivered in a blended format. Blended courses are courses in which a portion of the learning activities are delivered virtually in a synchronous format; they are a combination of traditional classroom and e-instruction.
Does this program have an evening schedule?
Yes, we admit students to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing evening/weekend schedule every fall (once a year).
How much does this program cost?
For program cost, please visit our Tuition & Fees page.
How long does it take to complete this program?
The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program is 5 semesters in length. Students may complete the program in 4 semesters depending on transfer credit and availability of nursing coursework in the summer semester.
The Department of Nursing provides an outstanding program of study that prepares its graduates to practice as entry-level professionals who provide safe, competent, quality nursing care. Our graduates have incorporated the concepts of health, nursing, and society as their practice focus; therefore, their competencies are based on knowledge of the discipline, clinical skills, societal health needs, and quality nursing care.
Curriculum Objectives
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Perform the role of the nurse using knowledge, judgment, and skills in providing health care for clients and families.
- Participate in activities that promote the development and practice of professional nursing.
- Utilize critical thinking to provide safe, quality, comprehensive nursing care to multiple clients and their families across the life span through consistent use of assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation, and sound clinical judgments.
- Utilize effective communication techniques when providing, coordinating, and advocating for quality health care with clients, their families, and the health care team.
- Integrate the concepts of health, illness, and the teaching-learning process to meet the health promotion, maintenance, and/or restoration needs of clients and their families throughout the life cycle.
- Collaborate with clients and their families within diverse communities and the interdisciplinary health care team for the provision of quality health care.
- Coordinate resources and manage environmental factors within society when providing holistic health care for multiple clients and their families.
- Assume accountability and responsibility for provision, coordination, documentation, and delegation of health care for multiple clients and their families within the legal and ethical nursing framework.
Student Achievement Data
Upon completion of the nursing program, graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science and are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
NCLEX-RN pass rates for the last five years can be found here.
Graduates’ success rate on the National Council Licensure Exam for Nurses (NCLEX-RN) according to the Texas Board of Nursing – 89.95%
Students’ completion rate of the nursing program in 2023 – 90%
Graduates obtaining a job in 2023 – 75%