Top Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs in Arizona
If you’re an aspiring Arizona nurse with a bachelor's degree, an accelerated BSN might be the right path for you. This guide to ABSN programs in Arizona lays out all your program options in the Copper State.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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How to Earn an Accelerated BSN in Arizona
To earn your ABSN in Arizona, applicants must first have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and complete prerequisites.
Some programs may also accept a minimum number of credits toward your ABSN even if you haven’t graduated with a bachelor’s, but that is program and school-specific. Once you’ve completed an ABSN program, you will be qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse.
Arizona ABSN Programs
Aspiring nurses can choose from two ABSN programs in Arizona. They are both accredited and offer hybrid options to make attending more convenient, and one of the programs can be completed in only 12 months!
1. Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff & North Valley, AZ
The big draw about Northern Arizona Univerity’s ABSN program is that it can be completed in only 12 months total! So, a year from now, you could be looking for your first job as an RN. Pretty exciting, right?
The tradeoff is that the program is intensive, and the school requires students to limit paid employment to no more than 16 hours per week, with no shifts scheduled at least 8 hours prior to class or clinicals. Travel is also required for some on-site clinical experience, which may last several weeks.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (602) 776-4690
- Email: accelerated.nursing@nau.edu
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
2. University of Arizona - Tucson & Gilbert, AZ
University of Arizona’s accelerated BSN is an integrative health pathway, one of the few in the country. The hybrid program can be completed in 15-17 months, and only 72 students are accepted. However, program cohorts start in spring, summer, and fall three times a year.
The school also offers an accelerated MSN program that can be completed in 15 months. Any University of Arizona students who earned their bachelor’s in a science-related degree are automatically admitted upon filling out an application.
- Total Tuition
- Resident: $30,412
- Noneesident: $88,316
- Application Deadlines
- Fall: April 1st
- Spring: August 15th
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (520) 626-3808
- Email: CON-OSAA@arizona.edu
What to Expect in an ABSN Program in Arizona
Like other ABSN programs in the country, Arizona's programs are competitive, fast-paced, and hybrid-style. Students must complete their degree on a full-time schedule without taking time off. Students are allowed limited work during the program, as the expectations and clinical requirements are rigorous.
Arizona ABSN Tuition
Tuition for ABSN programs in Arizona costs between $30,000 and $83,000. Your tuition will vary depending on the program’s location, public vs. private school status, in-person vs. online attendance, and residency requirements.
Admission Requirements
Each university has its own specific admissions standards. However, every ABSN program in Arizona requires a non-nursing bachelor's degree.
Common admission requirements for accelerated nursing programs in Arizona include:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisites (e.g., Statistics or Anatomy & Physiology)
- Personal statement
- TEAS examination
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Transcripts
- Application fee
- Admissions interview
- Resume/CV
How Hard Are Arizona ABSN Programs?
Arizona boasts some of the top ABSN programs nationwide. Admission to these schools is incredibly competitive, and the curriculums are challenging.
Despite the challenges, earning an ABSN in Arizona has its perks. With high wages and union hospitals, Arizona is a good place to work as a nurse. Attending an Arizona ABSN program allows you to complete clinicals at local hospitals, network, and more easily start working as a nurse after graduation.
How Long is an Accelerated BSN Program in Arizona?
Accelerated BSN programs in Arizona typically take 12 to 17 months to complete. These programs have a set progression plan that students must follow to graduate.
What to Expect Working as a Nurse in Arizona
BSN Salary in Arizona
The median annual RN salary nationwide is $86,070 or $41.38 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs in Arizona earn slightly more, bringing in $88,310 annually or $42.46 an hour.
Career Outlook
Arizona is home to 56,040 registered nurses. The BLS reports that all RN jobs will grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all other occupations.
BSN Jobs in Arizona
Nurses can work in a large variety of locations depending on their interests. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
- Retirement facilities
- Mental health facilities
Next Steps
With a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you can achieve your dream nursing career with a timely and affordable ABSN program in Arizona. These degrees allow qualified non-nurses to enter the workforce quickly, in 12-17 months, at a fraction of the cost of traditional BSNs.
Both accelerated nursing programs in Arizona offer hybrid options, multiple start dates, and hands-on practice in clinical settings. If you're ready to become a nurse in the Copper State, these programs may be exactly what you need.
For more information on earning an ABSN, check out these resources:
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
FAQs
- How many ABSN programs are in Arizona?
- There are currently two accredited ABSN programs in Arizona.
- How much do ABSN programs in Arizona cost?
- ABSN programs range in price from roughly $30,000 to over $83,000, depending on the program.
- How long are ABSN programs in Arizona?
- ABSN programs last 12-17 months in Arizona.
- How many nurses are in Arizona?
- Currently, there are 56,040 RNs employed in Arizona.
- How much do nurses in Arizona make?
- Arizona ABSN salaries fall just shy of the national average, bringing in $82,330 annually or $39.58 an hour.
