Nursing Programs in Tucson, AZ
A career in nursing offers individuals a myriad of job opportunities and opportunities for career advancement, but knowing where to start can be confusing. Which nursing program is right for you? Keep reading for information about the options for nursing education in the Tucson area, from entry-level programs for those new to nursing to advanced practice nursing programs for nurses who want to grow their skill set.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Tucson
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ - Public 4-Year - arizona.edu
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Arizona's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers a transformative educational experience, preparing students for a rewarding career in nursing. With options in Tucson or Gilbert, the program blends advanced technology, practical simulations, and clinical experiences. The conventional pathway in Tucson spans 24 months with summers off, while the accelerated integrative health pathway in Gilbert can be completed in 15-16 months. The program boasts a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate and graduates enjoy high starting salaries. Admissions requirements include meeting academic prerequisites, with detailed information available on the program's admissions page.
- 93% NCLEX pass rate.
- High starting salary.
- 24-month conventional pathway.
- 15-16 month accelerated pathway.
- Blend of technology and clinical experiences.
- Options in Tucson or Gilbert.
- Supportive faculty.
- Accredited by CCNE.
- Focus on integrative health.
- Diverse nursing roles preparation.
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Integrative Health)
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Arizona's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with an Integrative Health concentration offers a unique pathway for aspiring nurses. This program blends traditional nursing education with integrative health principles, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare settings. Located in Tucson, AZ, it features a 15-16 month accelerated, hybrid format combining online and in-person learning. Students benefit from a high NCLEX pass rate and strong starting salaries. Admissions require meeting academic prerequisites, with a focus on holistic patient care. This program is ideal for those seeking a comprehensive nursing education with a focus on integrative health practices.
- Integrative Health concentration
- 15-16 month accelerated program
- Hybrid online and in-person learning
- High NCLEX pass rate
- Strong starting salaries
- Located in Tucson, AZ
- Focus on holistic patient care
- Comprehensive nursing education
- Prepares for diverse healthcare settings
- Meets academic prerequisites for admission
Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson
Tucson, AZ - Private 4-year - arizonacollege.edu
Bachelor's - Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Arizona College of Nursing in Tucson offers a fast-track 3-Year BSN program designed for aspiring nurses. With no prerequisite coursework required, students can start their nursing journey immediately. The program is CCNE-accredited, ensuring quality education that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Evening classes for general education provide flexibility, while hands-on labs and clinical rotations offer real-world experience. Scholarships up to $5,000 are available, making nursing education more accessible. The curriculum covers essential topics from human anatomy to community health nursing, blending classroom learning with practical skills. Graduates are ready to enter the healthcare field as competent, confident registered nurses.
- 3-Year BSN program
- No prerequisite coursework
- CCNE-accredited
- Evening classes available
- Hands-on labs and clinical rotations
- Scholarships up to $5,000
- NCLEX-RN exam prep
- Flexible start dates
- Accredited by ABHES
- Evening general education classes
Carrington College-Tucson
Tucson, AZ - Private 2-year - carrington.edu
Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carrington College in Tucson, AZ, offers an Associate Degree in Nursing designed for aspiring nurses. This campus-based program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, blending theory with hands-on clinical experience. Ideal for those starting their nursing career, the curriculum covers patient care, medical procedures, and healthcare ethics. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, with potential students needing to pass an entrance exam. Financial aid options are available for eligible students. The program's focus on practical skills ensures graduates are ready to meet the demands of the nursing profession.
- Campus-based program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Hands-on clinical experience
- High school diploma required
- Financial aid available
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Online Learning - Visit Website
Designed for licensed registered nurses, this online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program expands professional skills in leadership, patient care, and evidence-based practice. Earn your degree in as few as 15 months, enhancing career opportunities with advanced clinical decision-making abilities. Financial aid options are available for qualifying students, making this flexible online program an accessible pathway to career advancement.
- Online post-licensure program
- Complete in 15 months
- Advanced nursing skills development
- CCNE accredited program
- Designed for working RNs
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
Tucson, AZ - Private 4-year - pmi.edu
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Pima Medical Institute-Tucson prepares students for a rewarding career as a Registered Nurse. This 20-month program combines classroom learning with hands-on training in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The program is designed for those seeking a fast-track to nursing, offering comprehensive education in a supportive environment. Financial aid options are available for eligible students.
- 20-month program length
- On-campus delivery method
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Hands-on training included
- Financial aid available
- Comprehensive nursing education
- Eligible for RN licensure
- Covers anatomy and physiology
- Includes pharmacology studies
- Patient care training
Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Tucson, AZ
If you are interested in pursuing a career in nursing but do not have any prior healthcare experience, an entry-level nursing program is a place to start. These programs, which include the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and the direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, provide nurses with the nursing theory and practices needed to pass the licensing exam and secure their first nursing job.
ADN Programs
ADN programs generally take around two years to complete and are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some medical centers. Students will learn basic nursing principles with coursework in human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and general nursing principles and best practices. Pima Community College offers a 40-credit hour program that can be completed in 5 to 6 semesters of study.
Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs
Students new to nursing may also choose to enter the profession through a bachelor's level education program. Compared with the ADN degree, a BSN program provides a more in-depth introduction to nursing, which generally takes longer to complete and includes additional coursework in nursing research, management and leadership topics, and public health. The University of Arizona offers a traditional BSN program that includes coursework on general topics including statistics, English composition, and chemistry in addition to nursing-specific coursework and is completed over four years.
Learn more about Arizona Accelerated BSN Programs.
Direct-Entry MSN Programs
Many professionals are entering the nursing field after working in another industry or area of healthcare, and an accelerated or direct-entry MSN program may be a good fit for these students. A direct-entry MSN program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field and provides them with an accelerated pathway to a master’s degree in nursing. The Master of Science in Nursing for Entry to the Profession program at the University of Arizona is a 15-month intensive program that prepares students for careers as hospital nurses, school nurses, home health, and assisted living facility nurses.
Learn more about Arizona Accelerated MSN Programs.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Tucson, AZ
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tucson, AZ
In order to meet the demand for nurses with advanced degrees, many registered nurses are considering going back to school to gain experience in an advanced practice career such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Advanced practice degrees available in the Tucson area include several found at the University of Arizona.
Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
Post-master’s certificate programs allow masters educated nurses to learn a new specialty without duplicating any of their previous master’s courses. The University of Arizona offers four masters-level certificates in four nurse practitioner areas. Each certificate is delivered online over four semesters.
Learn more about Arizona Post-Master's Certificate Programs
DNP & Ph.D. Programs
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of nursing practice education available in the U.S. Coursework includes principles of evidence-based practice, quality improvement, healthcare policy, healthcare systems, and leadership. The University of Arizona offers DNP students the choice of one of the following specialty tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Informatics, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesiology.
Nurses interested in careers in research and academia may consider pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing degree. The University of Arizona offers a Ph.D. program that is offered online on a full-time or part-time basis and allows students to focus on research in clinical, academic or scientific environments.
Learn more about Arizona DNP Programs.
List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Tucson
Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona
- MSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 70 total credit hours
- $1,053 per credit cost
- Hybrid program format
- Ranked #31 nursing school
- Full and part-time options
- Practice-focused doctoral program
- For RNs with BSN/MSN
- On-campus clinical intensives
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 69 total credits required
- Cost per credit: $1,053
- Hybrid program delivery
- Ranked #31 Nursing Schools
- Post-BSN and post-MSN entry
- Clinical practicum included
- Three on-campus intensives
- Part-time study available
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid online/on-campus program
- 35 total credit requirement
- $1,053 per credit cost
- BSN or MSN entry paths
- Top 1% higher education institution
- Multiple clinical specialties
- Optional DNP/MPH dual degree
- Three on-campus clinical immersions
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid online/on-campus program
- 68 total credits required
- $1,053 per credit cost
- Full-time and part-time options
- Practice-focused doctoral program
- Top 1% higher education institution
- Medication prescription training
- Comprehensive clinical skills development
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 2.5-3.5 Year Program
- Hybrid Learning Format
- 69 Total Credit Hours
- 720 Clinical Practice Hours
- 60 Average Cohort Size
- Online Coursework Option
- Post-BSN and Post-Master's Entry
- CCNE Accredited Program
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Master's DNP - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Fully online with one intensive campus experience
- 35 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- For certified advanced practice nurses
- CCNE accredited program
- Average cohort size of 10 students
- Residential Intensive Summer Experience (RISE)
- Advanced practice nurse preparation
- MSN to DNP - Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) DNP
Concentration: Executive Health Systems Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 50 total program credits
- Cost per credit $1,053
- Top 1% Higher Education Institution
- #31 Best Nursing Schools DNP
- 1,000 practicum hours required
- Hybrid program format
- Designed for working professionals
- Prepares for executive nursing roles
- MSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 2.5-3.5 years program length
- 65 total credit hours
- 720 clinical practice hours
- Hybrid program delivery
- Online with campus intensives
- 10 average cohort size
- Post-BSN and post-master's entry
- CCNE accredited program
- MSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 67 total credits required
- Hybrid program format
- Cost per credit: $1,053
- Top 19 DNP Program
- Prescribing medication training
- Full-time and part-time options
- Mental health assessment skills
- Clinical experience included
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson
- Bachelor's - Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 3-Year BSN program
- No prerequisite coursework
- CCNE-accredited
- Evening classes available
- Hands-on labs and clinical rotations
- Scholarships up to $5,000
- NCLEX-RN exam prep
- Flexible start dates
Carrington College-Tucson
- Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- Campus-based program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Hands-on clinical experience
- High school diploma required
- Financial aid available
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Online Learning - Website
- Online post-licensure program
- Complete in 15 months
- Advanced nursing skills development
- CCNE accredited program
- Designed for working RNs
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
- Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 20-month program length
- On-campus delivery method
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Hands-on training included
- Financial aid available
- Comprehensive nursing education
- Eligible for RN licensure
- Covers anatomy and physiology
University of Arizona
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 93% NCLEX pass rate.
- High starting salary.
- 24-month conventional pathway.
- 15-16 month accelerated pathway.
- Blend of technology and clinical experiences.
- Options in Tucson or Gilbert.
- Supportive faculty.
- Accredited by CCNE.
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Concentration: Integrative Health - Campus Based - Website
- Integrative Health concentration
- 15-16 month accelerated program
- Hybrid online and in-person learning
- High NCLEX pass rate
- Strong starting salaries
- Located in Tucson, AZ
- Focus on holistic patient care
- Comprehensive nursing education
