Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 19, 2025
Arizona’s healthcare industry is expanding rapidly because the population is aging while healthcare needs are increasing. A significant proportion of Arizona’s population consists of seniors aged 65 and above so nurses need advanced education. Arizona nurses pursue RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs because these programs deliver essential training which helps nurses enhance patient care and address healthcare needs in the state.
Tempe, AZ - Public 4-Year - asu.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Arizona State University's online RN to BSN program provides an accelerated, flexible pathway for registered nurses to advance their careers, with completion in 14-24 months. It requires an active RN license and a minimum 2.50 transfer GPA, focusing on leadership, evidence-based practice, and health innovation through 36 credit hours of online coursework. No entrance exams like ACT or SAT are needed, and the program is military-friendly, enhancing skills in critical thinking and interprofessional collaboration without an online designation on the diploma.
Online Learning - Visit Website
ASU's RN to BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program allows students to earn ADN and BSN degrees simultaneously via 100% online coursework, emphasizing evidence-based practice, research, and public health. With 120 total credit hours and a minimum 3.00 GPA requirement from a regionally accredited college, it prepares nurses for advanced roles without entrance exams. This military-friendly program supports career growth and professional development through flexible learning.
Flagstaff, AZ - Public 4-Year - nau.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Northern Arizona University's online RN to BSN program is designed for licensed nurses seeking to advance their careers with a bachelor's degree. This flexible, five-semester sequence enhances leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking skills through a structured online format. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam and opens nationwide opportunities in hospitals, community health, schools, and research. No entrance exams like ACT or SAT are required, making it accessible for working professionals.
Phoenix, AZ - Public 4-Year - gatewaycc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
GateWay Community College's RN to BSN program is a 120-credit, campus-based option for registered nurses seeking to advance their education. It emphasizes leadership development, evidence-based practice, and holistic care, tailored for working RNs with an associate's degree or diploma. The program does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, focusing instead on transferring up to 75 block credits and enhancing clinical skills for roles in diverse healthcare settings. Key features include no need for nursing course transcripts, a mandatory background check, and preparation for graduate studies or expanded career opportunities.
Scottsdale, AZ - Public 4-Year - asu.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Arizona State University's Digital Immersion online RN to BSN program provides a flexible 36-credit curriculum for registered nurses, completable in 14-24 months. Designed for working professionals, it emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration, enhancing skills for diverse healthcare roles. No entrance exam is required, as it's a bachelor's level program, and prerequisites include an active RN license and a minimum 2.50 transfer GPA. Courses are offered in 7.5-week formats, with no online designation on the diploma, making it ideal for career advancement without interrupting employment.
Prescott, AZ - Public 4-Year - yc.edu
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Yavapai College's RN-BSN program is a 100% online, flexible option for registered nurses seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. With no ACT or SAT required for admission, this 120-credit program can be completed in just one year or three semesters, featuring an 8-week class format. Students can transfer up to 90 credits and benefit from affordable in-state tuition of $193-$290 per credit. The curriculum includes a 30.5-credit nursing core, strategic service-learning projects, and an optional Leadership Certificate, enhancing leadership skills and clinical knowledge for advanced healthcare roles without prerequisites or corequisites.
Arizona students who want to complete RN to BSN programs can access online options which enable them to study from any location. Arizona State University (ASU) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) and other institutions in the state provide fully online RN to BSN programs with flexible learning schedules. The online educational format works well for practicing nurses because it lets them manage their professional duties while finishing their studies. The available educational options include hybrid programs which blend online study with occasional classroom sessions or clinical practice requirements. Students who enroll in hybrid programs benefit from flexible scheduling combined with practical learning opportunities. Some institutions provide nursing programs during evenings and weekends to help students with active work commitments.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University |
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| Yavapai College |
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| Arizona State University Online |
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| Certifying Board | Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) |
|---|---|
| Certification | BSN from an AZBN‑approved program, NCLEX‑RN, fingerprint background check |
| License Renewal Period | Every four years by April 1 (late renewals to May 1, expires August 1) |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| License Application Fee | $300 licensure/exam + up to $50 background check |
| Clinical Hours | Verified via official BSN transcripts |
| Application Processing Time | First‑in, first‑served, background checks ~30 days (electronic) or 8–12 weeks (paper) |
| License by Endorsement | $150 application + up to $50 background check, submit active‑license verification, transcripts, citizenship, fingerprints |
Arizona-based BSN nurses receive salaries between $75,000 and $95,000 annually based on their work experience and geographic location. BSN-prepared nurses typically earn higher salaries when they take on leadership or specialized roles. The salaries for nurse managers along with clinical educators and public health nurses in Arizona exceed the typical RN compensation. Arizona faces exceptional nursing job growth prospects with a predicted 39% increase in nursing positions by 2030 due to healthcare requirements for the aging population. BSN-prepared nurses encounter high demand in Arizona healthcare settings because the state’s healthcare system expands to meet its growing needs in both urban and rural areas. The employment market for nurses with RN to BSN training remains highly favorable because many healthcare employers throughout Arizona actively seek these professionals especially Magnet hospitals.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Arizona | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual BSN Salary | $81,200 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $39.05 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$98,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $81,200 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$60,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | 15% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~1,500 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Yavapai College |
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| GateWay Community College |
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| Rio Salado College |
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The BSN degree in Arizona provides nurses with various professional growth opportunities. Leadership positions such as charge nurse, nurse manager and director of nursing require a BSN degree for nursing professionals. Nurses who hold BSN degrees can move into advanced positions in critical care units, pediatrics or oncology departments which provide better pay and expanded duties. BSN serves as the necessary foundation for graduate studies in nurse practitioner roles, nurse anesthesia, and nurse leadership programs. Having a BSN degree enables nurses to pursue specialized certifications in areas such as public health nursing and geriatric nursing. Nurses who earn a BSN degree gain access to positions that involve teaching as well as policy development and healthcare administration. The BSN degree serves as a career foundation which leads to a rewarding lifelong profession along with multiple paths for advancement and leadership positions in Arizona healthcare institutions.
Additional Nursing Programs in Arizona
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