Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 26, 2025
Arizona’s dynamic healthcare landscape offers a range of educational tracks for both new and experienced nurses. Whether you’re beginning as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with hands‑on skill development, advancing your career through an RN‑to‑BSN bridge program, earning your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credential, or pursuing an advanced practice degree as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Arizona’s institutions deliver robust coursework paired with real‑world clinical experiences. From urban teaching hospitals in Phoenix to rural health clinics on tribal lands, these programs are structured to meet the state’s diverse care needs, equipping graduates with the expertise to thrive in settings across the Copper State.
Flagstaff, AZ - Public 4-Year - nau.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Northern Arizona University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in a hybrid format, focusing on holistic patient-centered care over four and a half years. The program includes hands-on clinical experiences, natural and human sciences, and emphasizes leadership and patient safety. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission is competitive and requires completion of pre-professional courses; entrance exams like ACT or SAT may be required but are not specified. Accredited by CCNE, it provides options for traditional, compressed, and global formats to suit diverse schedules.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Northern Arizona University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 12-month hybrid program for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, combining online and on-campus learning in Flagstaff. It prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam with a curriculum in clinical practice, leadership, and global health, emphasizing a caring philosophy and holistic care. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, prerequisite courses with a C or higher, and a minimum 3.0 GPA; entrance exams are not mentioned as required. Scholarships may be available for students committed to working in Arizona.
Mesa, AZ - Private 2-year - pmi.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Nursing Associate Degree Program at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa is a 20-month on-campus program preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. It includes comprehensive coursework in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care, with hands-on training and clinical externships. Financial aid is available for eligible students. Entrance exams such as ACT or SAT may be required for admission, though this is not explicitly stated.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa is designed for working RNs, offering flexibility with an approximate one-year duration. It focuses on leadership, evidence-based research, and healthcare management, with no additional licensing required. Entrance exams are not mentioned as required, and the program emphasizes career advancement for registered nurses.
Tucson, AZ - Private 2-year - carrington.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carrington College-Tucson's Associate Degree in Nursing is a campus-based program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on clinical experiences. It covers essential topics like patient care, medical procedures, and healthcare ethics, requiring a high school diploma or GED for admission. An entrance exam is needed, and financial aid is available. This program is ideal for those starting their nursing careers, emphasizing practical skills to meet professional demands.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The online RN to BSN program at Carrington College-Tucson is designed for licensed registered nurses, offering an accelerated path to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing that can be completed in as few as 15 months. It focuses on developing advanced skills in leadership, evidence-based practice, and clinical decision-making. No entrance exam is required for this post-licensure program, which is CCNE accredited and provides financial aid options, making it accessible for working professionals seeking career advancement.
Mesa, AZ - Private 2-year - carrington.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carrington College-Mesa offers an Associate Degree in Nursing on campus, ideal for those seeking a quick entry into nursing. This program focuses on practical skills and hands-on training, preparing students for healthcare roles without requiring an ACT or SAT exam. It is military-friendly and designed for students at various life stages, emphasizing workforce readiness. Check the college's website for specific admission and cost details.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Carrington College-Mesa provides an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program, tailored for registered nurses looking to advance their careers. This flexible, 15-month program enhances leadership, clinical skills, and evidence-based practice, with no entrance exam required. It is military-friendly and offers financial aid, focusing on preparing nurses for advanced roles in healthcare.
Tucson, AZ - Public 4-Year - arizona.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Arizona offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate and high starting salaries for graduates. Available in Tucson or Gilbert, it includes a 24-month conventional pathway and a 15-16 month accelerated integrative health option, blending technology, simulations, and clinical experiences. Accredited by CCNE, it prepares students for diverse nursing roles without requiring an ACT or SAT entrance exam, focusing on academic prerequisites.
Concentration: Integrative Health - Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Arizona's Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an Integrative Health concentration is an accelerated 15-16 month hybrid program in Tucson, combining online and in-person learning. It emphasizes holistic patient care and boasts a high NCLEX pass rate and strong starting salaries. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required; admissions are based on meeting academic prerequisites, preparing graduates for varied healthcare settings.
Arizona’s LPN programs develop students’ foundational nursing knowledge and practical skills through focused coursework and supervised clinical training. Typically spanning 12 to 18 months at community colleges and technical schools, these programs prepare learners to deliver essential care in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and rural health centers. Graduates emerge ready to assist RNs and physicians by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery. By bolstering the nursing workforce across both metropolitan areas and remote communities, LPN programs help ensure that all Arizonans have access to quality healthcare.
Arizona’s CNA programs, typically 6–12 weeks, combine classroom instruction in infection control, vital‑sign monitoring, and assistance with daily living activities with hands‑on practicums in Phoenix‑area hospitals, nursing homes, and rural desert clinics. Graduates support patients by providing bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility assistance, and routine vital checks, reporting any changes to nursing staff. By handling essential care tasks and comfort measures, CNAs free licensed nurses for complex responsibilities and bolster Arizona’s healthcare workforce statewide.
Arizona’s RN to BSN pathways combine essential coursework in leadership, public health, research and policy with hands‑on clinical rotations in urban hospitals and rural or tribal clinics. Offered in hybrid, part‑time or accelerated formats, they let RNs continue working while they study. Earning a BSN enhances skills in evidence‑based practice and care coordination, meets Magnet and employer standards, and opens doors to supervisory and specialty roles. These programs strengthen Arizona’s nursing workforce to meet diverse healthcare needs, from remote desert communities to busy metropolitan centers.
Arizona’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing by delivering in-depth advanced practice coursework and extensive supervised clinical rotations, usually completed over two to four years, in concentrations such as family practice, pediatric care, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered through on-campus, hybrid, and fully online formats, these MSN and DNP tracks prepare graduates for APRN certification and state licensure. Serving in community health centers, urgent care clinics, urban hospitals, and remote desert and border-area practices, NPs act as primary care providers, chronic illness managers, and telehealth specialists. By alleviating provider shortages and enhancing patient outcomes, NP programs are integral to strengthening Arizona’s diverse healthcare network.
Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry route, many employers require later BSN completion |
RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | Not offered in Arizona |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years | High school diploma or ADN transfer | Strong demand, BSN often preferred or required by major healthcare systems |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs have full practice authority |
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, full practice authority |
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Concentration: Integrative Health - Campus Based - Website
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