Become an RN in Utah:
FAQs at our Salt Lake City Campus
Become a Registered Nurse with a BSN degree at Arizona College of Nursing – Salt Lake City. Below you will find some of the frequently asked questions that future RN’s often ask our campus faculty and staff.
LPN School vs BSN School: What is the difference?
Understanding the differences between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is crucial to planning your nursing career path. This is because the education requirements between RNs and LPNs vary significantly. An LPN program typically takes about 1-2 years to complete. It is intended to prepare students for entry-level nursing roles to perform basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. While the time commitment to complete an LPN program is relatively short, LPNs often find their employment opportunities very limited.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a far more comprehensive track that often takes four years to complete. BSN programs cover a far wider range of topics and offer much more in-depth training designed to equip graduates with the skills to provide a much higher level of patient care and the potential to work in specialized nursing roles.
At Arizona College of Nursing in Salt Lake City, we offer an accredited 3-year BSN program that can be completed in as little as 3 years. Our Utah nursing program is designed for individuals who are committed to the field of nursing and are looking for a fast and efficient path to a rewarding career. To learn more about the differences between an LPN program and a BSN program, read our blog article for more information.
Preparing Future RNs at Arizona College of Nursing – Salt Lake City
The length of time it takes to become an RN with a BSN can vary depending on the program and the student’s prior educational background. Bachelor’s degrees often take 4 years to complete, but with our 3-year BSN program, you can complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 3 years.
If you have completed some college credit or have a degree in another field, qualifying transfer credits can shorten your program length. To learn more about the pathway to becoming an RN with a BSN degree in Utah, contact an admissions representative at our Salt Lake City campus.
From 2020 to 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the State of Utah could see the nursing job market grow by as much as 20%. This is much faster than the expected average growth of RN employment in the United States, which the BLS estimates will grow 6% from 2022 to 2032.
Updated 06/2024. Source
The length of nursing school can vary depending on the program and the student’s prior educational background. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program typically takes four years to complete if you start from scratch. However, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field or have completed some college credit already, you can often use transfer credits to complete an accelerated BSN program, which can be completed in less than four years. At Arizona College of Nursing, our accelerated BSN program can be completed in as little as 3 years, making it a fast and efficient path to a rewarding career in nursing.
Source: https://www.arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Registered Nurses in UT have a median salary of $79,790 per year. However, RNs in the Salt Lake City typically earn more than the state median, estimated to be $80,060 per year. As you will be newly entering the workforce, it’s important to know that you will likely not start at the median rate but will likely increase your earnings with experience.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Registered Nurses in Salt Lake City, UT range from a low rate of $66,610 per year to the highest-paid Nurses earning as much as $104,830 per year.
Updated 06/2024. Source
There are various parts of the cost of becoming a nurse in the State of Utah. First, you must complete an accredited nursing program.
Next, the Utah State Board of Nursing requires an RN Endorsement ($150), an RN Exam Fee and Licensure Fee ($300), an RN Re-Exam Fee ($100), and a fingerprint fee ($50). Source
Registered nurses work in many healthcare-related settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses held about 3.2 million jobs in 2022.
The largest employers of registered nurses were as follows:
- Hospitals (59%)
- Ambulatory healthcare services (18%)
- Nursing and residential care facilities (6%)
- Government (6%)
- Educational services; state, local, and private (3%)
Updated 06/2024. Source
Transferring credits can get you on track to complete your program in less time and at a lower cost. Students can progress through our BSN program of study in 3-years or less with qualifying transfer credits, if the courses apply to the program of study. For questions about transfer credits, including credits associated with college level credit test scores, visit our Campus Locations page for details to contact your local campus.
Read more about Arizona College of Nursing’s credit transfer requirements.
Students of all ages and backgrounds who qualify may be eligible for a variety of financial aid programs and payment options including:
- Federal student loans
- Federal PELL and SEOG grants
- Eligible State-based grant programs
- Private educational loans
- Military veteran educational benefits (ex: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®)*
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. The Falls Church, Hartford, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, Greenville, Melbourne, and Chesapeake Arizona College of Nursing campuses are not approved to train eligible Veterans and their dependents.
While every student’s schedule vary, our BSN degree program starts with evening general education classes. In addition, some general education courses are offered in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format.
We offer general education courses in the evening because we know students are busy and often can’t immediately change their entire schedule when starting Nursing school.
Once you begin your Core Nursing courses, your schedule will shift to daytime classes.