Summary: Relocating for nursing school can be a life-changing decision. If you choose to move to San Antonio to get your BSN, you’ll learn in a thriving healthcare community and treat diverse patients. You’ll also benefit from an affordable cost of living, a fascinating culture, abundant outdoor space and delicious food.
If you’re considering becoming a nurse, is relocating for nursing school worth it? This question is common as aspiring nurses consider all their options for earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Relocating to a new city like San Antonio, Texas, can provide additional benefits to your nursing education, while also giving you a wonderful home where you can live and learn. Being immersed in a medical epicenter with a notably diverse population, low cost of living and stellar cultural advantages sounds too good to be true. But it’s not.
There are so many reasons why the Second-Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students at University of the Incarnate Word love moving to San Antonio for nursing school. If you’re looking for accelerated nursing programs in San Antonio, look no further than the ABSN track at UIW. It’s the perfect opportunity to earn your BSN in as few as 16 months, all while enjoying what San Antonio has to offer.
Now let’s get into some of the key reasons why relocating to San Antonio for nursing school is a decision you won’t regret.
1. San Antonio has a Thriving Healthcare Industry
Healthcare is one of the major industries in San Antonio. This means an accelerated nursing program in San Antonio, like UIW, can offer a high-quality clinical education. Getting your BSN degree here is ideal not only for your own learning, but it’s also ideal for your job prospects after graduation.
The University of the Incarnate Word partners with two of the top healthcare facilities in the region. Our students perform their clinical rotations at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System and Methodist Healthcare. These healthcare organizations are both ranked “High Performing” in several procedures and conditions in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals.
San Antonio is also a hub for medical research, being the home of both the Southwest Research Center and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
San Antonio’s healthcare scene also takes the unique perspective of being a central military treatment location. The city has a burn center for the Department of Defense, two Level 1 trauma centers, and medical military research facilities for the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force.
2. You Care for a Diverse Population
One of the best ways to have a meaningful and enriching nursing experience is to provide care to a diverse array of patients. The people of San Antonio are ethnically diverse, with 64 percent of the population being Hispanic or Latino and 7 percent being black or African American, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city also has a large and diverse military and veterans population. Because San Antonio houses four military bases, together called Joint Base San Antonio, the city is home to many of our country’s active services members as well as 101,000 veterans (U.S. Census Bureau).
As a nurse, you will be charged with caring for patients with anything from a heart condition to an infection. You will need to understand the unique cultural needs of each of your patients. By having such positive, well-rounded nursing education like you’ll get in the UIW ABSN track in San Antonio, you’ll be equipped to care for all patients who come your way throughout your nursing career.
3. San Antonio has a Low Cost of Living
When you begin nursing school, you will likely look to save money wherever possible. San Antonio has you covered, for even though it’s a major U.S. city, it has the benefit of affordable living costs. This means relocating for nursing school will help you save money and decrease your stress.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, San Antonio’s median rent is $992 per month, which is lower than the average $1,062 per month in the U.S. The median monthly cost for homeowners with a mortgage is also lower than average by about $200 per month.
San Antonio’s low cost of living and housing is beneficial for nursing students during school, but it’s also a great incentive for staying in the city after you graduate and begin working as a professional nurse.
4. You Can Enjoy a Vibrant Art and Cultural Scene
San Antonio’s cultural scene is one of the most well-known and revered benefits of living here. The River Walk is the No. 1 attraction in Texas, consisting of 15 miles of riverside walkways that are flanked by shops, restaurants and other retailers. Visitors can also take a boat ride along the river if they prefer.
A heralded tradition at the heart of San Antonio culture is Fiesta San Antonio, a massive multi-day event that takes place in April. Another worthwhile San Antonio site is The Pearl, a historic brewery that has been transformed into a destination for more than two dozen restaurants as well as numerous boutiques and shops.
A few other places you won’t want to miss in San Antonio include the Alamo, a Spanish colonial mission and the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. If you are artistically inclined, you can head to the San Antonio Museum of Art. For performing arts devotees, attend a show at the Majestic Theatre.
The experiences available in San Antonio are limitless. During nursing school, you will have plenty of art and culture activities and events to choose from if you want to immerse yourself in the city during your free time.
5. Your Taste Buds Will Be Spoiled
San Antonio is lauded for its incredible food that stems from diverse cultures. Whether you crave American, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, French or Peruvian cuisine, San Antonio has it in spades. Relocating for nursing school means you can taste the delectable eats of San Antonio.
A few of the best spots to try include:
- Breakfast
- Bakery Lorraine: Croissants, pastries, cakes, bread, sandwiches and breakfast fare
- La Panadería: Bakery and café with croissants, pastries, sandwiches
- Supper: Savory and sweet breakfasts, pastries, also serves lunch and dinner
- Magnolia Pancake Haus: Buttermilk pancakes and breakfast food
- Lunch
- Domingo Restaurante: South Texan high-end tacos, enchiladas and sandwiches
- Smoke Shack: BBQ and southern cooking
- The Cove: Tacos and burgers
- Dinner
- Clementine: family-owned, fine-dining with seasonal dishes, meats and sides
- Best Quality Daughter: Asian-American cuisine
- Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano: Italian cuisine including pizzas, pastas, seafood and meats
- Curry Boys BBQ: Southeast Asian melded with Texas barbecue
You’ll find no scarcity of incredible flavors in San Antonio. If you relocate to this city for nursing school, you’ll always find something sure to satisfy.
6. You’ll Have Easy Access to Outdoor Activities
One of the best stress-relieving activities during an accelerated nursing program is going outside and getting some much-needed sunshine. Thanks to San Antonio’s temperate climate, it experiences an average of 300 sunny days each year, according to the U.S. News Real Estate report. San Antonio winters are mild with above-freezing temperatures and only rare snowfall. This means being outside is a year-round affair.
The city has numerous outdoor activities, such as parks and trails. Just because San Antonio has a population of 1.4 million (U.S. Census Bureau), that doesn’t mean you can’t get your fill of nature in the city. A few of the parks and nature hubs in and near San Antonio include:
- Brackenridge Park: home of the San Antonio Zoo and the Japanese Tea Garden
- San Antonio Botanical Garden: nationally recognized display of beautiful gardens
- The Mission Trail: historic biking and walking trail system that connects the five Spanish colonial missions, including the Alamo
- Friedrich Wilderness Park: 10 miles of hiking trails in an internationally recognized bird watching site
- Government Canyon State Natural Area: state natural area with 40 miles of trails available for hiking and running
- Lost Maples State Natural Area: known for fall colors of maple trees with 10 miles of trails along with camping sites
The list could go on and on, for San Antonio and the surrounding area are full of parks and trails for hiking, biking, running and other outdoor activities.
Learn More About Relocating to San Antonio for Nursing School
Are you intrigued by all San Antonio has to offer? Are you looking to earn your BSN and make the career change to nursing? Relocating for nursing school and earning your degree at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio is sure to be a good move.
With the ABSN track at UIW, those who have earned a prior bachelor’s degree in another field can complete their curriculum in as few as 16 months. We offer three start dates each year ¾ in January, May and August ¾ to accommodate your schedule and help you make the most of your time.
The first step to getting started with accelerated nursing school is simple. Just reach out to our admissions counselors, and we will walk through the entire process and answer any questions you have.