Grand Canyon University BSN Programs
Grand Canyon University has several paths to help you earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. These programs fit different educational backgrounds and career stages. You can advance your nursing career or transition from another field while working toward your professional goals.
The RN to BSN program lets registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma certificate complete their bachelor’s degree in just 14 months. Working professionals can advance their education without leaving their jobs. Most classes last only five weeks, which helps you finish your degree faster while building on your existing nursing knowledge.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program creates a path into nursing if you have a non-nursing degree or previous college credits. You can complete this intensive program in merely 16 months and start your nursing career sooner. The ABSN follows a structured sequence of coursework, labs, and clinical rotations. The program also offers three start dates each year, so you can begin your nursing education when it works best for you.
The traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure) program serves students new to college and nursing. This program prepares students to work as generalist registered nurses in healthcare settings of all types. Students learn evidence-based practices with an all-encompassing approach to serve diverse communities. GCU’s students achieved a remarkable 95.57% first-time NCLEX pass rate across all Arizona locations in 2024.
Grand Canyon University holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. This recognition shows GCU’s dedication to quality education that prepares students for successful nursing careers.
Students get both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in these nursing programs. They participate in clinical rotations at healthcare facilities and learn through hands-on experience under supervision. ABSN students at GCU’s Orlando location complete most clinicals at AdventHealth, a major not-for-profit healthcare system.
Each program has detailed coursework in essential nursing topics. Students study health assessment, adult health, mental health, pediatrics, obstetrics, pharmacology, informatics, research, ethics, and healthcare policy. This strong foundation helps graduates work in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, outpatient care centers, and community organizations.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $86,070 as of May 2023. This figure shows the financial benefits of pursuing your nursing degree through GCU’s BSN programs.
Available Program Tracks
Grand Canyon University has three different BSN paths that match your educational background and career goals. Each option gives you unique benefits based on where you are in your nursing path right now.
The RN to BSN program is perfect for licensed registered nurses who want to raise their credentials. You can finish your core nursing coursework online in just 14 months. Classes typically run for five weeks, which helps you move faster through the curriculum. Plus, the program builds on what you already know as a practicing RN. A recent survey shows that 77.4% of employers strongly prefer BSN program graduates, and many healthcare organizations now want or need BSN-prepared nurses.
Students with previous non-nursing degrees can choose the Accelerated BSN (ABSN). This intensive 16-month program uses your existing college education to help you quickly become a nurse. You’ll take most classes online and attend in-person skills labs and clinical rotations. You need either a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits, with a 3.0 or higher GPA. The program runs in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
The traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure) program works best if you’re starting fresh in college and nursing. This complete program gets you ready for the NCLEX-RN exam. GCU’s main Phoenix campus boasts a 97.17% first-time pass rate in 2024. Students get hands-on experience in different healthcare settings during their clinical practice.
RNs with bigger goals can enroll in GCU’s concurrent pathway to earn both BSN and MSN degrees at the same time. The RN to MSN Bridge program lets you complete both degrees in as little as 30 months, which saves time and money.
These programs give you the flexibility to balance your education with life’s other demands as you grow in your nursing career.
Flexible Learning Formats
GCU’s BSN programs stand out from traditional nursing education models through their built-in flexibility. The university uses a hybrid approach that blends online learning convenience with hands-on training requirements.
Students in the RN to BSN program can take one course at a time and continue working while pursuing their degree. Each course typically lasts five weeks, which speeds up degree completion. This optimized structure lets registered nurses complete core coursework in as few as 14 months. Students who transfer the maximum 90 credits might finish in just 12 months.
The online nursing programs at GCU use a well-designed format where students access coursework through an e-learning platform that makes shared academic discussions with peers possible. Notwithstanding that, all nursing programs—even those labeled “online”—need some direct clinical experience to prove clinical competency. Students must complete clinical, practicum, and immersion hours at facilities in their local community. This setup removes geographical barriers while students develop their hands-on skills.
The Accelerated BSN program also offers a hybrid format. Students complete most courses online but attend in-person requirements like immersive simulation and skills labs. This detailed nursing education combines online study flexibility with practical training in controlled environments.
During the third and fourth years in the pre-licensure program, students can access fully equipped immersive simulation suites. These facilities include control rooms, nurses’ stations, hospital rooms, and debrief areas. Students participate in carefully designed clinical scenarios that challenge and develop their skills.
GCU’s flexible learning formats work great especially when you have to balance education with professional and personal commitments. Students can earn their degree on their schedule without compromising their nursing education’s quality.
Entry Criteria & Prerequisites
You need to meet specific academic and professional criteria to get into Grand Canyon University’s BSN programs. The requirements differ for each program track. All applicants must be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma.
Standard undergraduate admission requires a 3.0+ unweighted GPA. Students with a 2.5+ unweighted GPA can also qualify if they score 19 on the ACT or 1000 on the SAT. Each nursing program has its own set of requirements.
The ABSN program just needs either a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or 60 non-nursing college credits. Students must keep a 3.0 GPA in all program coursework and achieve a 3.25 GPA in prerequisite courses. The HESI A2 entrance exam is mandatory before enrollment. Students need to score minimum scores of 80% in Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Math. A score of 75% is required in Human Anatomy and Physiology.
ABSN candidates must complete several science courses with a grade of C or higher in the last seven years. These courses include Human Anatomy and Physiology II with lab, Microbiology with lab, Applied Nutrition, Applied Pathophysiology, Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry with lab, and Lifespan Development.
RN to BSN students must have a current RN license and complete 30 credits in residence. The pre-licensure BSN admission works on a competitive stack-rank system. Students take the NCLEX-RN after completing the program.
What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at Grand Canyon University
GCU’s BSN programs stand out because they perfectly balance accessibility, academic excellence, and professional relevance. The university creates unique pathways that value your existing knowledge, whether you’re already a practicing RN or have a degree in another field.
Student success at GCU speaks through their impressive NCLEX pass rates. Their Arizona campuses exceed 95% pass rates consistently. These numbers showcase the quality of both their curriculum and teaching staff.
GCU’s strong healthcare collaborations set them apart. Students at the Orlando ABSN program gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations at AdventHealth, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit healthcare systems.
New nursing students learn in GCU’s cutting-edge simulation facilities. They practice clinical scenarios in controlled settings before working with actual patients. The facilities feature modern control rooms, lifelike hospital environments, and detailed debriefing spaces.
Program efficiency makes GCU even more attractive. RNs can complete their BSN in as few as 12 months with maximum transfer credits. Career-changers enter nursing through the 16-month ABSN program without starting over.
GCU’s BSN programs blend academic excellence with practical efficiency. These pathways adapt to your background while preparing you for today’s nursing challenges effectively.