Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Phoenix, AZ

For those interested in becoming a registered nurse, the place to begin is an entry-level training program. These programs include LPN to RN programs, which hep licensed practical nurses earn their RN license, two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, and four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. All of these programs provide students with fundamental nursing skills and prepare them to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.

LPN to RN Programs

For many practical nurses who want to advance their careers, becoming an RN is a logical next step. RNs have more patient care responsibilities and earn higher wages than their LPN counterparts. In order to streamline the process of moving from LPN to RN, some schools offer special LPN to RN degree programs in which students earn their BSN or ADN and are prepared for their first jobs as RNs. Pima Community College offers an LPN transition to the ADN program in which students join in the second year of the traditional ADN program.

ADN Programs

Two-year ADN programs provide a foundation of nursing principles and practices along with hospital-based clinical hours that prepare students to take and pass the NCLEX exam. Gateway Community College offers an ADN program that is one of the top ranked nursing programs in the state of Arizona.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Providing a more in-depth nursing curriculum than the ADN program, BSN programs are usually four-year degree programs that also feature liberal arts general education courses. Having a bachelor’s degree can open the door to more job opportunities for nurses starting their careers, and as such, BSN programs are becoming increasingly popular entry points to nursing. Arizona State University offers a traditional BSN program as well as an accelerated BSN program for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and would like to enter the nursing profession.

Find out more about Arizona Accelerated BSN Programs

Phoenix RN Program NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

 PhoenixArizona
NCLEX-RN Students Total980
NCLEX-RN Students Passed940
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate95.9%0.0%

Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Phoenix

Listed below are the top nursing schools in Phoenix based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Arizona out of 33 other accredited programs offered in the state:

  • Arizona College of Nursing - Tempe - #3
  • Estrella Mountain Community College - #3
  • Grand Canyon University - #2
  • Mesa Community College - #5
  • Paradise Valley Community College - #8
  • Scottsdale Community College - #4
SchoolContact Information

Arizona College of Nursing - Phoenix

16404 N. Black Canyon Hwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85053
(855) 307-2829

Arizona College of Nursing - Tempe

  • BSN Campus
  • Top Ranked Arizona Program: #3 of 33
1620 W Fountainhead Pkwy, Suite 110
Tempe, AZ 85282
(855) 706-8382

Arizona State University

550 N 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 496-2644

Brookline College

2445 W Dunlap Ave STE 100
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 242-6265

Carrington College - Mesa

1001 W. Southern Ave. Ste 130
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 734-2378

Carrington College - Phoenix

2701 W. Bethany Home Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 427-0660

Chamberlain University College of Nursing

11830 Westline Industrial Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 331-2720

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

2411 W 14th St
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 731-8000

Creighton University - Phoenix

3110 North Central Ave, Building D, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(402) 280-2703

Estrella Mountain Community College

  • ADN Campus
  • Top Ranked Arizona Program: #3 of 33
3000 N Dysart Rd
Avondale, AZ 85392
(623) 935-8000

GateWay Community College

108 N 40th St
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 286-8530

Glendale Community College

6000 West Olive Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85302
(623) 845-3000

Grand Canyon University

  • BSN Campus
  • Top Ranked Arizona Program: #2 of 33
3300 W Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 639-7500

Mesa Community College

1833 W Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 461-7000

Paradise Valley Community College

18401 N 32nd St
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 787-6500

Phoenix College

1202 W Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 285-7800

Pima Medical Institute, Mesa

957 S. Dobson Road
Mesa, AZ 85202
(800) 477-7462

Scottsdale Community College

9000 E Chaparral Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85256
(480) 423-6000

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Phoenix, AZ

Nurses with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree earn higher salaries and have more growth opportunities than nurses with an associate’s degree or diploma. Specially-designed RN to BSN/MSN programs for experienced nurses are designed to offer a bridge between the ADN and a higher degree. These programs provide credit for previous nursing courses and experience, allowing for a faster completion time than a traditional BSN or MSN program.

RN to BSN Programs

Grand Canyon University offers an online RN to BSN program that allows up to 90 credits to be transferred from previous coursework and can be completed in as little as one year. Coursework includes Applied Statistics, Introduction to Nursing Research, Nursing Leadership, Family-Centered Health Promotion, Concepts in Community & Public Health, Pathophysiology and Nursing Management of Clients’ Health.

Learn more about Arizona RN to BSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

Grand Canyon University also offers an RN to MSN program, which is designed for experienced nurses with an RN license who hold a bachelor’s degree outside of nursing. The program has an emphasis in nursing leadership and helps students develop skills in critical thinking, effective communication, and nursing leadership and administration.

Learn more about Arizona RN to MSN Programs

SchoolContact Information

Chamberlain University - Phoenix

2149 West Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 331-2720

Glendale Community College

6000 West Olive Avenue
Glendale, AZ
(623) 845-3000

Grand Canyon University

3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 639-6467

Mesa Community College

1833 West Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ
(480) 461-7000

Northland Pioneer College

1001 W. Deuce of Clubs
Show Low, AZ
(928) 532-6111

Paradise Valley Community College

18401 N 32nd St
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 787-6500

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Phoenix, AZ

For many experienced nurses, career advancement means moving into a leadership or administration role. For these nurses and those who want to become nurse practitioners, an advanced practice nursing degree is a good choice. In Phoenix, options for advanced practice degrees include traditional MSN programs, post-graduate certificate programs and doctoral study (Ph.D. or DNP programs).

MSN Programs

Master’s–level study of nursing prepares RNs for a variety of advanced practice careers, including nurse educator, nurse administrator, clinical nurse leader, nurse practitioner, and others. Many MSN programs allow students to concentrate their studies along a particular career track, and many are offered in an online format for the convenience of working students. Arizona State University offers a number of MSN programs, including online programs in clinical research and on-campus programs in nursing education, nursing informatics and nursing patient safety and quality.

Find out more about Arizona Nurse Practitioner Programs

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Some nurses who have already earned their MSN but would like to pursue a career in a different area of advanced practice nursing may find post-graduate certificate programs to be a good fit. These programs allow MSN-educated nurses to learn a new practice area without repeating certain master’s degree courses. For example, Grand Canyon University offers a 37-credit hour post-master’s certificate in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an emphasis in adult-gerontology.

Find out more about Arizona Post-Master's Certificate Programs

DNP & Ph.D. Programs

Doctoral degree programs are the highest level of study available to nurses, and prepare nurses for leadership positions, independent practice and research careers. Options in the Phoenix area for doctoral study include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs. Students will earn a doctorate in both types of program, while the DNP program prepares students for clinical practice, and the Ph.D. program prepares students for careers in research. Arizona State University offers multiple DNP pathways, as well as a Ph.D. in Nursing program.

Find out more about Arizona DNP Programs

 

SchoolContact Information

A.T. Still University- Arizona Campus

5850 E. Still Circle
Mesa, AZ 85206
(480) 219-6000

Arizona State University

411 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 965-7788

Brookline College

2445 W Dunlap Ave #100
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 242-6265

Grand Canyon University

3300 W Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 639-7500

Northcentral University

8667 E Hartford Dr Ste 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(866) 776-0331

Ottawa University - Phoenix, AZ

9414 N. 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 371-1188

University of Phoenix

1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy
Tempe, AZ 85282
(866) 484-1831

University of Phoenix

4035 S Riverpoint Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(844) 937-8679
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