Nursing Schools in Arizona with Nursing Program Overviews

In Arizona, both community colleges and 4-year universities offer nursing programs. Certificate and associate's degree programs for practical and registered nurses are available through 2-year colleges, while 4-year universities offer bachelor's degrees in nursing along with master's and doctoral programs in advanced practice nursing fields. These programs combine classroom training with clinical experiences to prepare students for nursing careers. Credit requirements vary by program, starting at just six credit hours for some certificate programs.

Short overviews of 10 of the largest schools can be found below. These schools all offer programs that prepare students for national licensure exams.

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Arizona State University

This large university in Tempe has a comprehensive nursing department that offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. At Arizona State University (ASU) students can enroll in programs, such as basic nursing, nursing specialization, and advanced nurse education.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an undergraduate program that can typically be completed in 16 or 24 months. This depends on whether or not the student enrolls in the traditional program that breaks in the summer or enrolls in a year-round program that only takes 16 months. Students cover theory as well as clinical courses in this program. Upon completion of this program, students are eligible to take the national licensing examination for registered nurses.

Students enrolling in the Graduate Certificate - Nurse Education program must already hold a bachelor's degree in nursing. The program consists of courses on curriculum development, teaching in academic and practices, as well as a teaching practicum course. Students may consider careers in nursing instruction upon completion of this 15 credit-hour certificate program.

Students enrolling in the Master of Science - Nurse Educator (NED) program choose a concentration, such as family health, gerontology, pediatrics, women's health, and family psych mental health. This program requires 38 credit hours of study. Upon completion, students can go on to have a career in nurse education. Students are eligible to take the National League for Nursing Certification Exam upon completion.

The Family Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate program is offered online and is designed for students who already have a master's degree and would like to specialize in a family-oriented environment working with those with mental health issues. The certificate program is 29 credit hours and consists of 585 clinical hours.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for students who have a desire to improve the way that healthcare is provided to patients. Students can enroll in the post-baccalaureate or post-master's degree path wherein students need to complete 1170 or 540 clinical hours respectively. The final project entails working with a mentor and faculty member where together they design an individual research project to be completed in a clinical setting.

The Ph.D. in Nursing and Healthcare Innovation is designed for those who wish to pursue careers in education, research or health policy. Students can enter this program from two separate pathways depending on whether they hold a BSN or MSN. Bachelor's degree holders enroll for five years and complete 84 credit hours, while master's degree holders enroll for four years and complete 54 credit hours.

Chandler/Gilbert Community College

This community college in Chandler offers an associate's degree for registered nursing. This program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and has been approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. As a result, graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination to become a registered nurse through the State Board of Nursing. Clinical experiences are offered through more than 100 different agencies.

Glendale Community College

Glendale Community College offers certificate programs for nurse assisting and practical nursing, as well as an associate's degree in nursing. The nurse assisting certificate program requires six credit hours and covers clinical laboratory and acute care experiences. Students who complete this brief program are eligible to become Certified Nursing Assistants by taking a written examination provided by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

The CCL in Practical Nursing program requires between 31 and 41 credit hours. Students can expect to study nursing theory and science, as well as a course on the transition to practical nursing. Students are able to complete clinical experiences at a variety of locations, and graduates are eligible to seek licensure as a practical nurse.

The associate's degree program available at this community college is a two-year program that leads to a registered nurse license. Required courses cover four levels of nursing theory and science courses, as well as a nursing clinical capstone. Clinical experiences can be obtained through a variety of healthcare agencies in the area.

Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College offers several nursing programs at the certificate and associate's degree level. This large school offers the individual classroom attention of a community college while utilizing the resources of the surrounding city in both on and off-campus nursing training.

Students who are interested in an entry-level position as a nursing assistant can benefit from the six-credit hour nurse assisting certificate program offered by this community college. The integration of skilled-care and acute-care training with traditional classroom instruction prepares the student for a written and practical certification exam that will grant eligibility to pursue a career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

Students who wish to gain a practical and registered nursing license receive the necessary training and eligibility to take the national exam in the practical nursing certificate program, which is taught both in the classroom as well as in various healthcare facilities. The prerequisites for this program depend on the student's high-school education, resulting in a program that can range from 52 to 54 credit hours.

Students who wish to obtain a registered nurse license are eligible to take the national exam upon completion of the associate's degree program in nursing. This course of study ranges from 64 to 74 credit hours, depending on the student's completion of course prerequisites. This degree program utilizes both classroom courses as well as healthcare facilities in the surrounding community.

Northern Arizona University

Located in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University (NAU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program that has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students must complete 73 credit hours of major required courses focused on biology and nursing. Courses include the study of pharmacology, gerontology, research, mental health nursing, public health, and leadership. An accelerated and RN to BSN program are also available.

For students interested in graduate programs, the School of Nursing also offers a Master of Science (MS) in Nursing with two specialty tracks: family nurse and nurse generalist. This program is available to applicants who have an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing, with preference given to those with at least three to five years of relevant experience. The family nurse practitioner track focuses on primary care in rural settings. Students can expect to study health care delivery systems and the management of family care. On the other hand, the nurse generalist track has no particular focus. Instead, students can explore the desired emphasis through professional clinical experiences. A post-master family nurse practitioner certificate is also available and requires 38 credit hours. Applicants must hold a master's degree in nursing.

Finally, NAU offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program for applicants already holding a master's degree and national certification. Designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of complex health care systems, this program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Paradise Valley Community College

Located in Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College offers an associate's degree in nursing that requires between 61 and 74 credit hours. Students can expect four levels of nursing theory and science courses, as well as a nursing clinical capstone. In addition, participants can expect to learn evidence-based nursing care methods, ethical behaviors, safe client care and how to collaborate with other health care professionals in a team setting. Graduates are able to seek licensure as registered nurses.

Phoenix College

Phoenix College offers an associate's degree program in nursing. The associate's degree program requires between 62 and 75 credit hours. Students can expect four levels of nursing theory and science courses, as well as a clinical capstone course. Participants gain experience with therapeutic communication styles, evidence-based nursing care, ethical behaviors, safe client care, and information management.

Pima Community College

This school in Tucson enrolls nearly 37,000 students each year. Both a practical nurse certificate and an associate's degree in nursing are available. The certificate program requires between 59 and 75 credit hours. Three levels of courses in nursing processes are required, in addition, to support courses in human nutrition, pharmacology, writing, and microbiology. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which is required for a career as a practical nurse.

The associate's degree program requires between 72 and 88 credit hours. Students must complete four levels of courses dedicated to the intensive study of the nursing process. In addition, support courses for the curriculum include the study of developmental psychology, pharmacology, drug calculations, and writing. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination and pursue careers as registered nurses.

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale Community College offers two certificates and an associate's degree program in nursing. The nursing assisting certificate prepares students for entry-level careers in this area of nursing through a combination of clinical, classroom and acute care experiences. Only six credit hours must be completed to earn the certificate and become eligible for certification.

The practical nursing certificate program requires between 31 and 41 credit hours. Prerequisites for the program include courses in human anatomy, chemistry, algebra, and psychology. The curriculum includes two levels of nursing theory and science, as well as a practical nursing transition course. Graduates are able to gain licensure as practical nurses through the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

The associate's degree, on the other hand, requires between 61 and 74 credit hours. Students are expected to complete four levels of nursing theory and science, as well as a nursing clinical capstone. Graduates of the program are expected to demonstrate strong communication skills, the ability to coordinate nursing care for multiple patients, behave legally and ethically and integrate technology for effective patient care.

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona in Tucson offers several undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. The BSN program can be completed in four years, with the majority of professional nursing courses taking place during the final two years. Students can expect to study pathophysiology, pharmacology, chronic illness management, mental health nursing, and population health.

The Master's Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program is a 15-month, full-time program that includes 56 credit hours of professional nursing courses. Students can expect courses in pathophysiology, health assessment, nursing pharmacology, informatics and management for organizational systems.

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is also available online. Depending on a student's background, required units can range from 43 to 77 credit hours. Graduates are prepared to improve clinical and health outcomes through scientifically based advanced research and practice. Dual degrees are available in adult acute care, family care, and pediatrics.

Finally, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing is available. Participants of this terminal degree program are able to focus on clinical, scientific or academic research through the use of collaborative research teams and between 64 and 79 credit hours. Applicants can participate in this program with as little as a bachelor's degree, although some earn a master's degree before pursuing this level of education. In addition, students can choose to specialize in an area of nursing, such a pediatric or family health.