Texas nursing schools, online or campus-based, can provide access to a thriving profession in a rapidly growing state. For Texas occupations that require training above high school, nursing is expected to be among the 50 fastest-growing and highest-paying fields. The Department of Labor projects that job growth in Texas for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses as well as registered nurses will be faster than the average for all U.S. occupations, in the period from 2008 through 2018.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that RNs in the U.S. earned a mean annual wage of $67,720 in 2010. The salary for RNs in Texas was slightly below the nationwide salary, at $66,180, but the cost of living is also lower in the state. Texas had the 2nd lowest cost of living in the country for the 2nd quarter of 2011, as reported by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

Health care professions are among the fastest-growing occupations in the Lone Star State, according to DOL projections for the decade from 2008 to 2018. The state population is also increasing: The U.S. Census counted more than 25 million Texans in 2010, a number that grew twice as fast as the national average between 2000 and 2010.

Texas nursing schools, online and on-campus

Many schools in the state offer educational training. Texas Woman's University offers virtual programs such as an RN to B.S. degree and a Master's in Nursing Health Systems Management. Options for Texas nursing schools online include Kaplan University, University of Phoenix, Walden University and others. A variety of public and private universities, community colleges, and trade schools offer traditional nursing programs.

Careers for graduates of nursing schools in Texas

Nurses can look for employment with one of many health care facilities. The state's 25 largest employers, as listed by the DOL, include the following:

• University of Texas Medical Branch's Blood Bank in Galveston
• Baylor Health Care Center, with multiple locations
• Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas
• East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System
• Medical City Hospital in Dallas
• Texas Children's Hospital in Houston

Another potential employer, the Methodist Hospital System, has more than 12,000 employees and is listed by CNNMoney as one of the 100 best companies to work for in Texas. With the right kind of training, graduates of nursing schools in Texas, online or on-campus, can seek fulfilling careers and discover a range of opportunities across the state.