2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Arizona

The College of Nursing of the University of Arizona ranks among the best in the state because of its exceptional NCLEX pass rates, variety of degrees offered, and alumni employment status. 

The University of Arizona College of Nursing has a plethora of programs and approaches to prepare competent nurse leaders who can provide quality healthcare in every kind of setting. They have a 12-month Integrative Nursing Fellowship to prepare students for the future of healthcare care, partnerships with different community healthcare centers, including senior residential communities, and a rural health professions program. In addition to that, they also have a community cancer connections project, a joint collaboration with the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, and a chance to work with the Stroke Resource Center of Southern Arizona. Needless to say, studying at the University of Arizona, College of Nursing opens up a wide variety of opportunities and allows students to take part in numerous projects that help them learn in different kinds of environments.

Undergraduate Programs: There are two types of BSN degrees available for nursing students at the University of Arizona. The Conventional BSN degree at Tucson is nationally renowned and highly ranked. It prepares students to lead a life as a professional nurse by giving them access to simulations, clinical practice and prepares them to pass their NCLEX-RN exam. 

The BSN Integrative Health Program at Gilbert, however, is one of its kind. The degree teaches students to clinically treat patients through various methods that include lifestyle enhancement, nutrition, biomedical therapies, and more. This program blends conventional health care with complementary approaches to mind-body-spirit wellbeing.

Graduate Programs: The Master of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Arizona is one of the leading online nursing masters in the entire state. This 15-month program allows nurses to expand their careers as nurse leaders and change-makers through various pathways such as Clinical Systems Leadership, Nursing Education, and Global Nursing Leadership.

The College of Nursing also offers a variety of very rigorous and practical DNP Programs that utilizes a mixture of online didactic coursework, on-campus intensives, and on-ground practicum and clinical placements.

In addition to these, students can also choose to expand their skills and knowledge to develop advanced clinical practice skills and research competencies by taking on the DNP/Ph.D. Dual Degree. Similarly, they can prepare themselves to provide advanced clinical care to rural and medically underserved patients through the Rural Health Professions Program and Rural Telehealth Certification Program. 

What's more, is that the University of Arizona also offers several postgraduate DNP-FNP Certifications for a number of specialties and skill sets

School of Nursing in North Arizona University offers a challenging and rewarding program that allows students to learn in multiple learning environments so that they can practice in a variety of care settings. 

The nursing degrees are available in several of the campuses, online classrooms, and Personalized Learning. The students learn from highly-skilled instructors who recognize and develop students' talents. They also practice their clinical skills in high-fidelity simulation labs, and they get clinical experiences in multiple healthcare facilities in the area. The nursing curriculum of North Arizona University is based upon professionalism and professional values, clinical practice and prevention, critical reasoning, communication, global health, and leadership. 

In addition to being one of the nation's leading schools for American Indians, the School of Nursing in North Arizona University also has an outstanding alumni association.

Undergraduate Programs: The school of nursing offers both a traditional BSN program and an Accelerated BSN program to prepare students to pass their NCLEX-RN and become professional nurses. There is also a one-of-a-kind American Indian Program designed to give quality education to Native American students of federally recognized tribes. 

For nurses seeking to simultaneously earn their BSN along with an ADN degree, the Concurrent Enrollment Program is a great option to save both time and money. Similarly, North Arizona University also has an RN-BSN program offered through traditional online pathways and personalized learning online pathways to allow nurses to refine their nursing knowledge and abilities.

Graduate Programs: The various MSN, FNP, and DNP degrees at North Arizona University promote excellence in nursing education and practice by integrating emerging healthcare trends and quality skill development training into the curriculum. The programs have online or personalized learning pathways.

Although it is a Christian University, the Healthcare and Nursing Degree Programs at Grand Canyon University welcome students of all backgrounds and denominations without any discrimination. 

The variety of nursing degrees and pathways at Grand Canyon University are taught by exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced faculty at small classes. The classes are available online, or offline with clinical postings in between. The students also receive instructions from practicing nurses and experts on clinical patient care, healthcare management, professional development in nursing practice, and leadership.

GCU also has ample opportunities for financial aid and scholarship to facilitate quality education for those who are unable to fund their tuition. Similarly, the city of Phoenix, where the university is located, is among the best to reside in as students because of its job growth, housing affordability, wage growth, and more. 

Undergraduate Programs: The RN to BSN degree allows practicing RNs to complete their bachelor's degree in 12 months via online or evening classes. The program is designed to meet the needs of RNs and to maximize the strengths that they already possess. There are also various scholarship opportunities for this program. 

Graduate Programs: College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers a Bridge (Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner) for RNs who are ready to advance their career to the role of primary care provider. This degree is online with two on-campus experiences designed to provide hands-on skill development in key areas.

There is also a fast-track option for RNs enrolled in the BSN program to get both BSN and MSN degrees in 30 months. 

Chamberlain University is dedicated to graduating extraordinary healthcare professionals who will significantly impact the global healthcare scenario. As an institution that purely educates quality healthcare professionals, Chamberlain University has implemented a Chamberlain Care Student Success Model, a customized program of tools, resources, and support to prepare the students to succeed as healthcare professionals.

The Nursing School in Phoenix allows students hands-on experience with their SIMCARE CENTER, which is a simulation center that features various aspects of simulation care. The center gives students the chance to practice fundamental nursing skills on high-tech patient manikins before moving on to real-life patients in various healthcare settings. The nursing school has one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the country and has no waitlists when it comes to admissions.

Undergraduate Programs: The three-year-long BSN program at Chamberlain University College of Nursing is available at 23 locations across the country. In addition to that, the School of Nursing in Phoenix has a BSN Evening/Weekend option that allows students to work around their schedule while obtaining the degree in three years' time. 

Graduate Programs: The flexible MSN degree at Chamberlain College of Nursing offers students the option to attain their degree while continuing to work. The completely online course offers two pathways; an Accelerated MSN option and an Accelerated MSN with Clinical Nursing Leadership option. There are nine Online MSN Program Specialty Tracks for students to choose from, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, as well as Healthcare policy, Nurse Educator, and more.