Being the sixth largest state in the country, Arizona is made up of a large percentage of desert land and rural communities. There are a variety of nursing programs in Arizona that focus predominantly on the needs of patients in these rural areas and in particular on the special needs that are unique to the Native American people. These programs reach out to this facet of the Arizona population and do so through clinics and educational avenues.
As the population of Arizona continues to increase so does the need for more nurses. There was a 14 percent increase in the number of active registered nurses (RNs) in the state of Arizona noted between July 2001 and February 2005. However the need for qualified RNs is still great. Currently there are 46,520 practicing registered nurses in the state and 9,840 practicing licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
There are a variety of nursing schools in Arizona that offer programs to those interested in studying to become registered nurses. There are degree programs offered in nursing, nursing practice and related fields of nursing. Some examples of these schools include the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona State University in Phoenix and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
The University of Arizona’s College of Nursing began in the year 1957. The U.S. News and World Report has ranked the school as being in the top six percent of the graduate nursing schools found in the country. Students who already have an undergraduate degree in a subject other than nursing can apply for the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The accelerated program takes approximately 14 months to complete.
There are other nursing schools in Arizona worth exploring further. The Arizona State University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Innovation is found in downtown Phoenix. The undergraduate nursing program at this school began in 1957. The Master of Science in Nursing program was established in 1969. The Center for Healthy Outcomes in Aging was established in 2006. This school offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It also offers a variety of certificate options for those who wish to improve their skills and as a form of continued education.
The Northern Arizona University’s School of Nursing in Flagstaff, Arizona offers to its students a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program as well as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. This nursing school supports a productive learning environment that takes a number of core areas and puts them into play. These core areas include accountability, communication, critical thinking, clinical competency, leadership, management, culture, teaching and learning. Once a student finishes her degree program she will then be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and look for her first nursing job.
The nursing schools in Arizona have so much to offer all nurses-to-be. Isn’t it about time you took a look for yourself?
