Texas, since the passing of 2021 HB 3348, has taken an exciting step forward in expanding access to nursing education: community colleges in the state are now authorized to offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. Through legislation passed in recent years, institutions such as Dallas College have received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and accrediting bodies to launch BSN programs that begin welcoming students — including online and hybrid options designed to increase capacity and affordability.
In addition to Dallas College, other Texas community colleges like Lone Star College and Austin Community College have expanded their bachelor’s offerings, including RN-to-BSN pathways, building off state authorization that allows community colleges to grant applied and nursing baccalaureate degrees.
This is terrific news for aspiring nurses and for Texas healthcare systems, as it creates more affordable, accessible routes to a four-year nursing degree right in local communities — helping to grow the pipeline of highly prepared professionals.
Why This Matters: A National Nursing Shortage
Across the United States, demand for nurses remains strong as healthcare needs grow and seasoned professionals retire. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the RN workforce is projected to grow through 2032, with about 193,100 openings each year due to workforce exits and expanded care needs.
Yet despite this demand, nursing schools nationwide continue to struggle to scale enrollment. A recent Hechinger Report analysis highlights how competitive and constrained nursing education programs remain, with many qualified students unable to gain a seat due to limited faculty, clinical placements, and classroom capacity.
This bottleneck isn’t just about numbers — it reflects structural challenges in nursing training that have built up over years, including high requirements for clinical experiential learning and faculty with advanced credentials. It’s one reason innovative solutions like expanded community college BSN programs are so significant.
Expanded Pathways: Meeting Students Where They Are
The move to authorize community colleges to offer BSNs complements other efforts across the country to diversify and strengthen nursing pipelines. These include:
RN-to-BSN and bridge programs that help associate degree holders advance their credentials.
Online and hybrid BSN offerings that serve working adults, rural students, and others balancing life and education.
Apprenticeship and workforce integration models that connect education directly to employment while students are still in training.
These pathways help make nursing education more flexible and attainable, which is vital given the scale of demand and the projected opportunities for nurses in diverse settings — from hospitals and clinics to community and public health roles.
What This Means for Students and the Healthcare Field
For students considering a nursing career, this expansion means:
More choice and more affordable options for earning a BSN without needing to relocate or enroll in an expensive four-year university.
Stronger connections between education and career opportunities, with community colleges often deeply embedded in local healthcare markets.
A pathway to professional advancement, since many employers — especially hospitals aiming for Magnet status — increasingly prefer or require nurses with BSNs.
For the healthcare system, expanding BSN access at the community college level helps address capacity constraints in traditional nursing programs and chips away at workforce shortages that affect care delivery and patient outcomes.
A Moment Full of Opportunity
Nursing remains a dynamic, rewarding field with strong job prospects and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. As Texas opens more doors to BSN education through community colleges and the national conversation continues around expanding nursing education capacity, now is a powerful time to consider or support a pathway into nursing.
Whether you’re a prospective student, educator, or healthcare leader, these developments help chart a course toward a stronger, more resilient nursing workforce — one that’s better equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow.