Become a nurse for free in Texas!?

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I am currently a USA (CNA & Monitor Tech) and have been wanting to get into nursing school for some time. I am from Florida and know some hospitals in the Tampa Bay area offer free school as part of the "Earn As You Learn" program. Work part time for them while in school, agree to work where they choose to put you for 2 years, and they will cover all tuition, books, fees etc for RN.

I am currently in Virginia and there is nothing like this offered in my area as of years ago.. We are moving this year, possibly to Dallas/Ft Worth area, and the options don't look very good cost-wise for school (I could become an LPN in Tampa for less than $8k). I have decided to get my LPN/LVN first if I have to pay out of pocket for it, but would love to go straight for my RN if I am able to find such a program. Are there any hospitals or programs like this in the Dallas area, or elsewhere in Texas??

Please help!

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Most large hospitals, and hospital systems in DFW offer tuition assistance for part or full time employees. Tuition is very affordable for state schools and community colleges once you're a Texas resident.

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Most large hospitals, and hospital systems in DFW offer tuition assistance for part or full time employees. Tuition is very affordable for state schools and community colleges once you're a Texas resident.

OP, I would ask about this before making a decision. Sometimes you need to have worked for a year or so before you qualify for tuition assistance, plus "assistance" is the key word here, meaning that you don't typically get enough money to cover FT schooling and expenses.

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I'm expecting to have a year to wait for things like in-state tuition and any benefits from working. I am, sadly, also aware that tuition assistance is just that: assistance, usually minimal. :(

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

There are no 100% free rides

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There is a LVN program offered thru Grayson County college in Sherman - LVN program is on the Van Alstyne Campus - about an hour north of Dallas. The program is affordable - community college rates. I did the program back in 2005 while living in Frisco/Mckinney area - roughly 45 minute drive to school everyday.

I don't think you will find anything for "Free".

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

You won't have any trouble finding programs in Texas. There are a ton.

A list of approved RN and LVN programs is available at: Texas Board of Nursing - Education Programs

This page also shows pass rates for taking the NCLEX the first time.

Once you're a resident, tuition is very inexpensive at most schools. For example, one community college in the DFW are (Tarrant County) is $65 a credit hour. There are a lot of programs in the area for LVN and RN at community colleges. There are a decent number of BSN programs as well. It's worth your time to take a look at that list and figure out what you want to do. Community colleges are (generally) less expensive than the universities, though there are some very inexpensive universities as well.

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