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5 Best Nursing Colleges in Arizona 2023 | Best Nursing Programs

Best Nursing Colleges in Arizona

To find the best nursing program in Arizona (az), We have evaluated each school/college on various dimensions, like education quality, the institution’s academic prestige, students’ success in passing percentages, placements, and career records.

Nursing is a rewarding profession and the demand for nurses is increasing day by day. Arizona, like the majority of the country, anticipates a growth in the need for nurses; from 2018 to 2028, it is expected that there will be a rise in the number of registered nurses (RNs) employed in the state from 21,620 to 29,190.

The typical RN salary is $80,625, with those with 1-4 years of experience earning $57,530 and those with more than 20 years making $104,290 annually.

Many nursing schools in Arizona provide excellent undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in nursing.

The following list includes the best nursing schools in Arizona:

1. University of Arizona (College of Nursing)

The University of Arizona’s College of Nursing, which has one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the state, is also well regarded for the diversity of degrees it offers and the job status of its graduates.

The University of Arizona College of Nursing stats
The University of Arizona College of Nursing stats

Source: University of Arizon

U.S. News & World Report consistently lists the College of Nursing at the University of Arizona among the top 50 graduate nursing schools in the country. Currently, the college has well over 1,000 nursing students enrolled, and its prelicensure graduates have achieved great first-time NCLEX pass rates.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, and go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

Arizona University Nursing Program Offered:

  • Adult Gerontology, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Accelerated MSN, Bachelor Degree, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, Master Degree, MSN to DNP and Post Master’s NP Certificate
  • Program Accreditors: ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA

2. Arizona State University, Phoenix

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation among the top 50 graduate nursing programs in the US.

At the master’s and doctoral levels, graduate study is available with concentrations in informatics, nursing education, a number of nurse practitioner professions, and healthcare innovation.

The college also offers RN-to-BSN online and traditional and post-baccalaureate BSN pathways.

Arizona State University Nursing Program Offered:

BSN, DNP, MSN, RN-to-BSN, Entry-Level BSN, MSN-to-DNP, NP, PhD, Accelerated BSN, Post-grad Certificate, Other

  • Emergency Nurse Practitioner (Graduate Certificate)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (Graduate Certificate)
  • Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Graduate Certificate)
  • Nurse Education in Academic and Practice Settings (Graduate Certificate)
  • Nursing (Entry to Nursing Practice), MS
  • Nursing (Nursing Education), MS
  • Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, PhD
  • Nursing, BSN
  • Nursing, MS

3. Northern Arizona University

The School of Nursing at Northern Arizona University encourages learning in a variety of settings, including traditional classrooms, healthcare facilities, and online delivery.

Undergraduates at NAU have a variety of alternatives, including a regular BSN at the campuses in Flagstaff, Tucson, and Yuma, a 12-month accelerated BSN, an RN-to-BSN pathway, and an American Indian program for 10 students that is available in the Navajo Nation.

The institution annually graduates 140–150 prelicensure candidates, and over the previous ten years, they have consistently attained a strong 91% NCLEX exam pass rate. Its nursing programs are accredited by ACEN, ACME, CCNE, and COA.

Arizona State University Nursing Program Offered:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, MSN to DNP, Post Master’s NP Certificate, and RN to BSN
  • Master of Science – Nursing (Personalized Learning)
  • Master of Science – Nursing, Emphasis in Leadership, Quality & Patient Safety (Online)
  • Master of Science – Nursing, Emphasis in Strategic Systems Leadership (Online)
  • Strategic Systems Leadership, Graduate Certificate (Online)
  • Master of Science – Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (Online)
  • Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner, Graduate Certificate (Online)
  • Clinical Nursing Specialist Prescriptive Authority Course Bundle (Online)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (Online)

4. Grand Canyon University (College of Nursing and Health Care)

Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions links classroom concepts to real-world situations through practical application, online and lab simulations, and in-depth peer conversations.

The standard prelicensure BSN program, the RN-to-BSN pathway, the MSN degree, and the DNP degree are all offered by this private Christian college. A wide variety of specializations are available through the MSN program, including adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, health informatics, nursing education, and public health nursing.

Over the previous ten years, prelicensure BSN students at GCU have had an amazing 86% first-time NCLEX exam success rate, including a stunning 96% pass rate in 2017.

Private, for-profit Grand Canyon University’s nursing program is housed in Phoenix, Arizona. Accrediting bodies for its nursing programs include ACEN, ACME, CCNE, and COA.

Grand Canyon University Nursing Program Offered:

5. Pima Medical Institute

Pima is considered top nursing school in Arizona. Pima Medical Institute is located at Tuscany. It is an Arizona nursing school that places more of an emphasis on medical professionals. There are more than 100,000 graduates. Eight programs are available online. 64.2% of students graduate.

Every single one of their pupils will hold a bachelor’s degree, an accelerated certificate, and an associate degree. Your associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing could be completed in two years or less with the help of online nursing programs. The annual cost of tuition for students is $16,658.

Pima Medical Institute Nursing Program Offered:

  1. Nursing Associate Degree Program
    Courses cover a broad range of topics including anatomy, physiology, growth/development, pharmacology, nursing theory and the necessary skills for patient care at all stages of life.

Program Type: Associate Degree
Deliver Method: On Campus
Course Length: Approximately 20 months

2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program

Students in the B.S. in Nursing (RN to BSN) program will take courses that allow them to increase their clinical responsibilities and leadership roles in their current nursing career. Classes cover topics such as:

  • Nursing theories
  • Evidence-based research analysis and utilization
  • Important concepts and principles for the development of nursing leadership and management knowledge
  • Clinical, fiscal, legal and political trends confronting the healthcare and nursing professions
  • Community and global health needs, issues, trends, laws and protocols

Read Also: How to Become a Trauma Nurse? Best Trauma Nursing Core Course

F&Qs

What Are My Career Opportunities With a B.S. in Nursing?

Registered nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree will have expanded employment opportunities in areas such as:

  • Leadership and management positions
  • Clinical faculty positions
  • Community and public health roles
  • Research and quality improvement team positions
  • Entrance into specialized nursing settings
  • Other autonomous opportunities

source: pmi.edu

Nursing in United States Statistcs and Facts:

  • According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow significantly from 2020 to 2030.
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow from 2019 to 2029.
  • The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
  • The passing rate of NCLEX range for BSN students in Arizona is between 87.06% and 93.49%.
  • There are 32 nursing schools in Arizona. The CCNE accredits 11 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 23 schools in Arizona.
  • With almost 4.2 million registered nurses (RNs) in the country, nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the country. 84.1% of all RNs with a license work as nurses. source: The 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey. 
  • In the United States, registered nurses make up one of the largest occupational groups and have some of the highest wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 55% of RNs worked in general medical and surgical hospitals and earned an average income of $77,600 year. source: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses.

What are the requirements to become a nurse in Arizona?

Arizona requirements for nursing licensure are as follows for candidates by application and those from another state by endorsement: Along with a completed application, the applicant must have ready: Possess a diploma, associate degree, or Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a state approved institution. Source: registerednursing.org


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