How To Become a Nurse in Arizona 2025

If you would like to know how to become a nurse in Arizona, there are several steps to consider. You'll need to complete an accredited nursing program, which is the minimum requirement for becoming a registered nurse (RN) in every state in the country.

It also sets you up for high-paying patient-care jobs, such as nursing assistant, nurse practitioner, and licensed practical nurse (LPN). Continue reading to learn more about these important nursing jobs and how to qualify for them.

What Does an RN Do?

You can begin your nursing career once you've become a certified registered nurse by completing all certification requirements. Once you have your RN license, you can apply for several nursing career opportunities in Arizona, including the following entry-level, intermediate, and advanced healthcare positions.

• hospital nurse
• nurse's aid
• certified nursing assistant (CNA)
• bedside nurse
• nurse anesthetist
• nurse manager
• nurse practitioner
• charge nurse
• operating room nurse

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Arizona?

The time it takes to become a nurse depends on whether you stop at the most basic nursing RN licensure or pursue higher education to reach senior nursing positions. Entry-level licenses and nursing programs may only take one to two years, especially if you enroll in accelerated nursing programs online. Further credentialing could take an additional two or three years if you pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Arizona

Consider these important three steps to becoming an RN in Arizona. This covers the educational requirements for nurses along with other licensing requirements.

Step 1: Earn an Associate Degree

There are multiple associate degree options in Arizona, but the most common among nurses is the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). If you start this program after graduating high school (with no previous nursing coursework), it will take about two years to complete. Some students reach this academic achievement faster by enrolling in fast-track programs, which might make it possible to finish within 12 to 18 months.

Step 2: Get an RN License

The State of Arizona Board of Nursing offers several nursing licenses for various specializations. These include RN licenses, LPNs, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and licensed health aides (LHAs). You must decide which license you wish to pursue, pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), submit to background checks, and pay licensing fees.

Step 3: Get a Bachelor's Degree for More Options

After you've passed the NCLEX-RN exam and have earned plenty of clinical experience, you may consider other credentials and continuing education opportunities. This is where you can explore BSN programs to complete a four-year degree program. If you already have a bachelor's degree, you can apply to graduate school to enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Arizona

Below are some of the top Arizona universities with on-campus or online nursing programs. These five schools all receive accreditation from reputable nursing review boards and offer a diverse range of RN licensing opportunities.

1. Arizona College of Nursing

Arizona College of Nursing features multiple nursing school degrees at various campuses, including Phoenix, Tucson, and Tempe. This includes a fast-track, three-year BSN program for motivated nursing students. The school's website promotes seven scholarship categories for its students, including the Achievement Scholarship, Continuing Education Scholarship, and Working Parent Scholarship.

• Estimated tuition cost: $445 per credit hour (in-state); $1,045 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona's nursing school boasts a 96% passing rate for first-time test takers of the NCLEX-RN exam. It features multiple BSN options, including one with an emphasis on integrative health, which is a hybrid program of online and in-person instruction. If you can attend classes all year round, it's possible to finish the degree requirements within 15 to 16 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $495 per credit hour (in-state); $525 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers multiple undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing. ASU's BSN program is available fully online, along with several other healthcare-related degrees.

Once you finish prerequisite courses, the online BSN degree normally takes about 16 to 24 months to finish, depending on if you take additional summer sessions.

• Estimated tuition cost: $561 per credit hour (in-state); $661 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, along with certifications and credentials for mid-career nurse practitioners. It offers four BSN options: a traditional four-year program, a compressed traditional BSN, a 16-month hybrid learning BSN, and a 12-month accelerated BSN. The nursing school tailors each program to fit the specializations and pace preferences of its students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $380.00 per credit hour (in-state); $761 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. The University of Arizona - Global Campus

The University of Arizona - Global Campus offers online learning options for various nursing concentrations. This includes an RN-to-BSN bridge program and other accredited learning programs. This university also charges no application fees, does not require standardized test scores for admissions, and allows you to test out of subjects and receive credit for work/life experience.

• Estimated tuition cost: $460 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Arizona

The nursing field should experience faster than average job growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They project a 6% growth rate over the course of 10 years. The median annual salary for RNs is greater than $93,000.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Arizona

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding public health professionals in Arizona. This section explores your concerns over costs, degree difficulty, program duration, and more.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Arizona?

Arizona nursing schools are not as expensive as other parts of the country, but some may still charge around $10,000 in annual tuition costs.

That's why it's so important to get as much funding as possible by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Arizona has many universities and online colleges that accept FAFSA.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Prerequisite courses are classes required before gaining admission into a nursing program. There may not be as many prerequisites for ADN programs, but BSN programs and other nursing degrees often require students to complete courses, such as microbiology, statistics, introductory nursing, and so forth.

If you would like to complete these courses at your leisure, without enrolling in a full degree program, you can do by taking one or more self-paced nursing prerequisites online. Just make sure you have all the equipment for online learning, including the best laptop for nursing students.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

The fastest way to become a nurse is to complete your accredited nursing program as efficiently as you can. This may involve taking advantage of summer or winter sessions, but you can also enter accelerated RN or BSN options if you can keep up with fast-paced nursing coursework.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

The easiest nursing degree is probably the ADN, but this is subjective and all nursing degree programs can be difficult. Some students say they have an easier time completing associate degree or bachelor's-level work if they can take their classes online. Many universities accommodate this with online, asynchronous course delivery, which means you can log into nursing courses any time rather than adhere to a strict meeting schedule.

Find a Nursing Degree

Learn.org can help you plan your entire nursing education much easier. We welcome you to explore all of our other articles on nursing bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, nursing licenses, and more.