Phoenix Nursing School
Earn Your BSN Degree in 3 Years with No Prerequisite Coursework
Classes begin June 29th
What Our Phoenix Nursing School in Arizona Can Do for You
Arizona College of Nursing gives you a direct path to your BSN degree, built around your schedule and your goals. No waitlist, personalized support, and multiple ways to learn are part of what you’ll find at our nursing school in Phoenix.
- No waitlist to start at our Phoenix campus
- Named #2 Best Nursing School in Arizona by Nurse.org
- Scholarships of up to $10,000 scholarships available at our Phoenix campus
- Earn your BSN in 3 years or less with qualified transfer credits!
- Flexible scheduling with gen ed night classes and a mixture of in-person, online, and blended nursing classes
- Small class sizes where faculty are invested in your individual success
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacnnursing.org). Visit Nurse.org for more information on their ranking methodology for the Best Nursing Schools in Arizona.
Your Nursing Career Begins at Our Phoenix Campus
Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix is focused on preparing you for a career as a registered nurse (RN). You’ll build your skills through classroom instruction, hands-on simulation training, and clinical rotations in actual healthcare settings, giving you the preparation you need to move confidently into the work force.
Graduate in Less Time With Eligible Transfer Credits
Get Hands-On Experience in Guided Labs
NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation From Day One
How Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix Supports Your Success
Scheduling Flexibility at Our Nursing School in Arizona
Nursing students are often balancing work, family, and other responsibilities at the same time. Our accredited three-year BSN program offers multiple start dates, evening gen ed classes, and online courses designed with working adults in mind.
Blended learning and virtual course options give you the flexibility to keep moving toward your nursing degree without putting everything else on hold. Learn more about how our program structure can work for you.
A Welcome Community for Providing Care
When you join our Phoenix nursing school, you become part of a close community in the nursing profession. Our nurse classes include students from Downtown Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, and beyond.
You’ll find yourself supported by dedicated faculty, peers, and mentors who understand the unique challenges and rewards of pursuing a nursing degree in Arizona.
Learn Hands-On Skills
Arizona nursing students build confidence through hands-on training in labs and realistic clinical environments. You’ll develop the skills to assess patients, think critically, and deliver effective care in fast-paced settings.
Our courses prioritize real-world learning so you’re prepared for clinical application—and a strong start in your nursing career.
Support Resources and a Clear Admission Process
Our Phoenix nursing school keeps the application process clear and focused on you. We’ll guide you from your first question to your final step so you can stay focused on your goals.
You’ll have access to personalized nursing program support and resources to help you succeed. We can even help with NCLEX-RN exam prep and scholarships!
Nursing Salary Potential in Arizona
Registered Nurses in Arizona earn a median annual wage of $98,160 per year. While new graduates typically start below the median, earnings often grow steadily with experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries in Arizona range from $71,200 to $124,130 annually.
Updated May 2025. Source: O*NET Online
Nursing Experience in Clinical Rotations
During your BSN program, you’ll learn in clinical rotations. You’ll be working with healthcare professionals that may include registered nurses, nurse managers, and clinical nurse specialists.
These nursing program experiences strengthen your clinical skills and understanding. Clinical rotations may provide insights into how RNs and nurse managers collaborate in real medical environments.
Making the Most of Your Transfer Credits
At Arizona College of Nursing, we want to help you make the most of the coursework you’ve already completed. Qualifying gen ed transfer credits may allow you to progress through our BSN program of study in less than three years. Our academic advisors will review your transcripts carefully and work to apply as many qualifying credits as possible.
In-Person, Blended, and Online Nursing Courses
Nursing school should fit your life while giving you the preparation you need for patient care. Our BSN program delivers coursework in formats designed to support both.
- Flexible learning format – Phoenix students have access to a mix of in-person, blended, and online courses designed to accommodate different schedules and learning styles
- Online classes for non-clinical coursework – Non-clinical courses are available fully online in an asynchronous format, so you can complete them when your schedule allows
- Clinical training – Courses with a clinical component are conducted in person to ensure you develop the hands-on patient care skills required for nursing practice
- Blended general education courses – General education requirements are structured around a combination of evening classes and virtual sessions to give you added scheduling flexibility
Nursing School Curriculum
Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program gives you a clear progression from foundational coursework to advanced clinical practice. Each stage of your education builds on the last, moving through classroom instruction, skills lab training, real-world clinical rotations, and NCLEX-RN preparation.
Sample Classes in Our BSN Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of Biology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Human Anatomy/Physiology I
- College Mathematics
- First Year Composition (Writing) I
- Human Pathophysiology
- Human Nutrition
- Critical Thinking in Clinical Decision-Making
- Pharmacology I
- Evidence-Based Practice I
- Community Health Nursing + Practicum
- Maternal Health Theory and Application + Practicum
- Transition to the Nursing Profession
- Professional Seminar (NCLEX-RN Preparation)
Getting You Ready for the NCLEX-RN Exam
NCLEX-RN preparation is woven into your coursework from day one. Our faculty incorporate NCLEX-RN-style questions and clinical judgment scenarios into our curriculum consistently, so the format feels familiar well before you sit for the exam. For tips on testing format and study strategies, our blog post Mastering the NCLEX: A Comprehensive Guide to Preparation is a good place to start.
Clinical Partnerships at Our Nursing School in Phoenix
Hands-on clinical experience is one of the most important parts of your education, and we’ve made it a priority. Students spend the majority of their final year in clinical rotations, training in real-world healthcare environments. We’ve partnered with healthcare providers across Arizona to give our students the opportunity to work directly alongside patients and experienced nurse leaders, building the practical skills that carry you through your entire nursing career.
Visit Our BSN Program Curriculum Page For More Details.
Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix Campus Events
Our Phoenix campus is located just below the intersection of Bell Road and I-17 at 16404 N Black Canyon Hwy, Suite 200, in Phoenix, Arizona. Upcoming events here include:
Next Start Date
Date: June 29th
New classes at AZCN start approximately every 8 weeks, so you can begin your BSN degree without waiting for a traditional semester schedule.
Independence Day
Date: July 3rd – 4th
Our nursing school will be closed for Independence Day on July 3rd and 4th.
Fall Commencement
Beginning the week of August 21st
Graduation commencement ceremonies are held twice a year; in the spring and fall. Help us celebrate the achievements of our BSN degree graduates!
A Phoenix Nursing School Serving the Entire Valley
Our nursing degree program proudly serves the entire Phoenix Valley, including Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise. Our college campus is located less than 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix, making it convenient for you to pursue your professional career.
Additional hours available upon request.
How Our Arizona Nursing School Faculty Bring Real-World Experience into the Classroom
Faculty at our Phoenix campus bring genuine clinical backgrounds into every course they teach. Through mentorship, simulation lab instruction, and hands-on guidance, you’ll have the opportunity to connect what you’re learning to real nursing practice scenarios throughout your time in our program.
Meet Our Phoenix Nursing School Leadership
Crystal Bowman
Dean of Nursing
My inspiration to pursue nursing education came from my own experiences as a nursing student and a nurse. I have been fortunate to have mentors who shaped me along the way and throughout my nursing career, I saw how powerful a knowledgeable, compassionate educator can be; not only in teaching clinical skills, but in building confidence, resilience, and professional identity.
I have always loved the “a-ha” moments when something “clicks” for a student or a new nurse. Watching someone move from uncertainty to confidence is incredibly meaningful, powerful and rewarding. Nursing is a profession that requires both competence and heart, and I wanted to be part of educating future nurses who can think critically, advocate for patients, and provide safe, compassionate care.
For me, nursing education is about more than teaching content. It is about helping students believe they belong in this profession while holding them to the high standards that nursing requires. My overall goal is to give back everything I was given as a nursing student and new nurse to future generations of nurses; and being in nursing education allows me to do that.
What stands out to me about Arizona College of Nursing is its focused commitment to nursing education. The program is designed specifically around preparing students for the realities of nursing practice, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, clinical preparation, simulation, and NCLEX readiness.
I also appreciate that Arizona College of Nursing recognizes that students come from many different backgrounds and life circumstances. Arizona College of Nursing provides personalized attention, advanced simulation facilities, multiple learning environments, and student support services, which are all important in helping students persist and succeed. Students are able to experience learning in diverse settings which includes classroom learning, simulation and skills labs, clinical experiences, virtual learning, and online components.
What stands out to me the most about the strength of Arizona College of Nursing is the amount of support and resources that are available to support student success.
Students at the Phoenix campus have access to several layers of support. This is essential because nursing school is rigorous and students should never have to feel like they must navigate it alone. Resources that are available at the Phoenix campus include a vast amount of support through Student Services, academic support, tutoring, open lab time, faculty guidance, career services, financial aid support, and help navigating program requirements. We also offer resources and support for those students who may need assistance with housing, childcare, transportation and social support. Additionally, we offer support and preparation to ensure that students are ready to navigate the NCLEX examination and transition to their role as a Registered Nurse after graduation.
In addition to the campus wide support structures available at the Phoenix campus, we also pride ourselves on having a campus wide philosophy of supporting and celebrating success. We believe in open door policies, upstream thinking and approaching all aspects of student success with a growth mindset and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure that students feel supported and successful.
Nursing School Scholarships in Arizona
Tuition is one of the most common questions prospective students bring to us when they’re comparing nursing schools in Arizona. Students can receive up to $10,000 in scholarship support.
Take a look at the scholarships listed below to learn more and find out whether you qualify.
- Futures Scholarship
- Advancement Scholarship
- Working Parent Scholarship
- Achievement Scholarship
- Opportunity Scholarship
Common Questions About Our Phoenix Nursing School
Have questions about attending a nursing school in Phoenix? You’ll find answers to the ones we hear most often right here. To find a school near you, visit our Campus Locations page.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org). All Arizona College of Nursing campuses are also institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Knowing how a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) school and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) school compare is an important part of planning your career path. The education requirements between RNs and LPNs vary significantly. An LPN school typically prepares students for entry-level nursing roles in about one to two years, providing basic patient care carried out under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. A BSN school covers a broader scope of nursing education, preparing you to work as a registered nurse with a wider range of clinical responsibilities and more room to grow throughout your career.
To learn more, read our blog article detailing the differences between an LPN Program and BSN Program.
Salary is a practical consideration when you’re planning your nursing career, and Phoenix is a strong market for registered nurses. Registered Nurses in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler area of Arizona have a median annual salary of $98,160.
Looking at the state as a whole, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses in Arizona earn between $69,930 on the lower end and $123,480 for the highest earners. As someone entering the workforce for the first time, your starting salary will likely fall below the median, and your earnings will grow as you gain experience in the field.
Updated 5/2025. Source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1141.00?zip=85053
View our Phoenix nursing market outlook for more details
While both roles work within patient care settings, the scope of responsibility between a nursing assistant and a registered nurse (RN) differs considerably. Nursing assistants focus on basic patient care and support, such as helping with daily activities and monitoring vital signs, under the supervision of an RN. Registered nurses take on a broader clinical role that includes developing and implementing patient care plans, administering medications, performing complex medical procedures, and overseeing the work of nursing assistants and other healthcare staff.
Earning a BSN degree positions you for that expanded scope of practice and opens up more advanced career opportunities in the nursing field. Our BSN program gives you the comprehensive education and clinical experience you need to move your career forward.
Our admissions process is designed to be clear and move at a pace that keeps you informed along the way. To apply to our three-year BSN program, you’ll need a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher from high school or college, along with a qualifying score on the HESI A2 assessment. A GPA waiver may be available depending on your HESI A2 score.
From transcript submission to entrance testing, our admissions team is available to guide you through every part of the application, while our finance team can walk you through financial aid options for those who qualify. You’ll have a clear picture of where you stand at every point along the way. You can read more about our admissions requirements on our Admissions page.
At Arizona College of Nursing, we’ve put together a support system designed to be there for you throughout your educational experience. You’ll have access to a student success coach, tutoring sessions, peer mentoring, faculty office hours, a dedicated NCLEX-RN exam prep class, and more. We also offer resources and support for students who may need assistance with housing, childcare, transportation, and social support.
Reach out to our admissions team to learn more about the full range of resources available to you and how we support students from enrollment all the way through to graduation. We’re committed to helping you pursue your goal of becoming an RN.
Learn more about why Arizona College of Nursing is right for you.
Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix is not a 100% online nursing school in Arizona, though online learning is part of how our curriculum is delivered. Most of our campuses offer some online nursing courses, and our curriculum includes a mixture of in-person, online, and blended classes. At the majority of our campuses, many non-clinical courses are offered asynchronously and delivered fully online, while courses with a clinical component are held in person.
General education courses also incorporate a blended learning experience, with night and virtual classes providing flexibility as you work through our program. Reach out to our admissions team with any questions about online nursing course formats at AZCN Phoenix and how you can earn your BSN degree in just three years.
Both are national licensing exams developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), but they apply to different nursing credentials and career paths. The NCLEX-RN is the exam you’ll take after completing a BSN or ADN nursing program, and passing it qualifies you for registered nurse licensure. The NCLEX-PN applies to graduates of LPN or LVN programs and leads to practical or vocational nurse licensure. Whichever path you choose, passing the corresponding exam is required for nursing licensure in the United States.
In Arizona, RN licensure gives you greater clinical autonomy, access to higher-level responsibilities, and more room for career advancement than LPN licensure, where practice is typically supervised by registered nurses or physicians.
Completing your nursing degree is a major milestone, and passing the NCLEX-RN is what takes you from graduate to licensed registered nurse. Passing the exam shows that you’ve met the minimum competency standards required for entry-level nursing practice, and it is required for licensure in every state. Because the NCLEX-RN is a standardized test used across all states, it ensures consistent nursing practice standards nationwide. Successfully completing it allows you to apply for your nursing license and begin your professional career in Arizona.
After completing your BSN degree and fulfilling Arizona’s licensing requirements, many nursing career paths may become available to you in the Phoenix area.
The following roles represent potential career directions for those who have completed BSN education, passed the NCLEX-RN exam, and obtained proper state licensure. These roles span hospitals, community settings, specialized units, and leadership positions. See our full Phoenix jobs report for more details.
Hospital-Based Roles in Arizona
Registered Nurse (RN) – The foundation of nursing practice, working in various healthcare settings.
Emergency Room Nurse – Providing urgent care in fast-paced emergency department settings.
ICU Nurse / Critical Care Nurse – Caring for patients with life-threatening conditions requiring intensive monitoring.
Labor and Delivery Nurse – Supporting mothers and newborns through the childbirth process.
OR Nurse / Perioperative Nurse – Assisting in surgical procedures and providing pre/post-operative care.
Specialized Care Roles in Arizona
Pediatric Nurse – Focusing on the healthcare needs of children and adolescents.
Hospice Nurse/Palliative Care Nurse – Providing compassionate end-of-life and comfort care.
Home Health Nurse – Delivering care to patients in their homes, often following hospital discharge.
Forensic Nurse – Working at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system.
Nurse Manager & Administration Roles in Arizona
Charge Nurse – Overseeing nursing operations for a unit during a specific shift.
Nurse Manager – Supervising nursing staff and handling administrative responsibilities. Learn more about becoming a Nurse Manager.
Utilization Review Nurse – Evaluating the necessity and efficiency of healthcare services.
Community & Public Health Roles in Arizona
Public Health Nurse – Addressing community health needs through education and preventative care.
School Nurse – Providing healthcare services in educational settings.
Occupational Health Nurse – Focusing on workplace health and safety.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), registered nurses held about 3.4 million jobs in 2024, with the largest percentage (59%) working in hospitals. Other significant employment settings include ambulatory healthcare services (19%), government agencies (5%), nursing and residential care facilities (6%), and educational services (3%). Data last updated June 10, 2026. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
Important Note: A BSN degree itself does not qualify individuals to work as registered nurses. Additional steps including passing the NCLEX-RN examination and obtaining state licensure are required before pursuing these career opportunities.
Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix
(623) 250-5920 info@arizonacollege.edu
16404 N Black Canyon Hwy, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85053
Accreditations
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacnnursing.org).
All Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.
Arizona NCLEX Pass Rate Data: https://www.azbn.gov/education/nclex-na-ma-exams
National NCLEX Pass Rates: https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/exam-statistics-and-publications/nclex-pass-rates.page
***Job placement rate as reported by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) for the period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025