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. 

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 

• Location: Flagstaff or North Valley, Arizona 
• Program Cost: $979.00 per credit hour
• Program Length: 4 semesters
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

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. 

2. University of Arizona

• Location: Tucson or Gilbert, Arizona
• Program Cost:
• Program Length: 5 semesters
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available?  Hybrid

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 at a time. However, program cohorts start three times a year: in spring, summer, and fall. 

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. 

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:

• What is an ABSN, and Is It Worth It?
• Best ABSN Programs

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.