Dallas Nursing Careers In-Depth
With dozens of healthcare facilities, Dallas is an ideal place to work as a nurse in almost any specialty area. Competitive salaries and a positive job outlook make nursing a great profession for those seeking stability and career advancement. Almost 90,000 registered nurses, LPNs, and other nursing professionals work in Dallas in hospitals, community health clinics, and other medical settings. Learn more about nursing schools and jobs in Dallas with salary information, common healthcare facilities, and employment statistics.
How many nurses currently work in Dallas?
Approximately 89,340 nurses work in the Dallas metro area.
What percentage of all healthcare workers are nurses?
Nursing professionals make up 55.7% of all healthcare workers in Dallas.
What are the primary working environments for nurses?
Many nursing professionals in Dallas work in physicians' offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. One of the largest employers of nurses in Dallas is hospitals, such as the nationally- and regionally-ranked hospitals Baylor University Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
How is the job outlook for nurses in Dallas?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nursing profession is expecting enormous growth between 2010 and 2020, with RN jobs leading the pack at 26 percent. With Texas ranked second in the nation for employment of nurses, the Dallas metro region is one of the state's hotspots for nursing jobs.
The vast majority of nurses in Dallas are registered nurses or licensed vocational nurses. Advanced practice nurses like nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives make up a small but growing proportion of the field. The following chart illustrates the numbers of Dallas nurses in each specialty.
| Task | Hours per Day |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 22.00% |
| Registered Nurses | 75.00% |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 0.00% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 3.00% |
Source: Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014)
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Nurses in Dallas: Salary Outlook
Nursing salaries vary depending on the specific occupation and the geographical area where the nurse is employed. As a whole, Texas nursing salaries are at or above the national median. Nursing jobs in Dallas are some of the highest in the state. For instance, registered nurses make almost $4,000 more than the annual median salary for RNs in the rest of the state.
Annual Median Salary for Nurses
| Year | Dallas | Texas | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $71,300 | $67,570 | $66,640 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $160,040 | $155,590 | $153,780 |
| Nurse Midwives | $113,850 | $102,550 | $96,970 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $100,700 | $100,270 | $95,350 |
| Licensed Vocational Nurses | $47,950 | $43,950 | $42,490 |
| All Occupations | $35,610 | $33,650 | $47,230 |
| $NaN | $NaN | $NaN |
Source: Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014)
Dallas Nursing Schools Highlights
There are several accredited nursing schools in Dallas for prospective students to choose from, including community colleges, universities, and online programs. These nursing schools offer degrees spanning all areas of the spectrum, from associate to doctorate level studies.
Whether interested in a small community college setting or a large, well-known university, the Dallas area has nursing programs that fit the needs of a variety of students. Below, find profiles of some of the metro region's most notable nursing schools:West Coast University
Nursing students can earn a bachelor's in nursing at West Coast University in as little as 39 months and complete an LVN-to-BSN program in 34 months. Rolling admissions ensure students begin classes as soon as they're ready. Streamlined online programs are designed for working professionals and students with limited availability. Programs offered
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- LVN-to-BSN
- Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Online RN-to-BSN
- Online RN-to-MSN
The full-time associate degree program at El Centro College features lectures and interactive skills labs. Students participate in clinical experiences, rotating day and evening hour shifts at local metroplex hospitals for hands-on learning. In addition, El Centro College offers a Perioperative Nursing Enhanced Skills Certificate for already practicing RNs and graduate-level nurses to expand their skillsets and become more marketable to employers. Programs offered
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Vocational Nursing certificate
The Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University offers traditional and accelerated bachelor's degree programs. The accelerated BSN—known at Baylor as the FastBacc—is a 12-month program for students who have already completed undergraduate studies in another discipline. Doctorate-level students can specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, or a Nurse Midwife. Located on the Baylor University Medical Center Campus, the four-story complex features a computer lab, spacious classrooms, and state-of-the-art human patient simulators. Programs offered
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated BSN (FastBacc BSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
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Nurse Licensing Requirements & Nursing Associations
In order to start working as a nursing professional, graduates must become licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, so aspiring nurses should check with their state licensing board for further information. Since there are no further requirements for nurses in Dallas, they are ready to practice after fulfilling the needs for Texas.
There are numerous benefits to joining a professional nursing association. These associations provide nurses with access to networking opportunities, workshops and webinars, nursing journals, and liability insurance. Most nursing associations are organized by state, some with city-specific chapters.
For more information about licensing requirements & nursing associations in Dallas, visit our detailed page on nursing schools and programs in Texas.