Arizona College of Nursing BSN Programs
The Arizona College of Nursing BSN program offers a structured pathway to becoming a registered nurse in just three years. This CCNE-accredited program spans nine semesters with a well-laid-out approach that combines general education courses with advanced nursing coursework. Students progress from foundational concepts to complex clinical experiences.
Students start with 8-week general education courses in their first year. The coursework includes Fundamentals of Biology, Introduction to Psychology, Human Development, and Cultural Diversity & Global Health. The second year completes remaining general education requirements as students move into nursing core classes like Human Nutrition, Ethical & Legal Standards, and Mental Health Theory. Advanced nursing courses become the sole focus in the third year, covering Community Health Nursing, Maternal Health, and Pediatric Health, along with leadership development.
The program’s hands-on components are strong. Students complete:
- 630 clinical hours in inpatient and outpatient settings
- 270 lab hours to build practical nursing skills
- 50 hours of in-person simulation training
- 12 additional hours of hands-on skills practice
Arizona College of Nursing uses state-of-the-art simulation laboratories with high-fidelity human patient simulators. Students practice clinical care safely through peer feedback and self-reflection. The program also combines web-based education applications that develop critical thinking and clinical judgment skills, including virtual simulations, interactive e-books, and video case studies.
The faculty remains accessible for support and offers office hours, one-on-one coaching, and skills remediation when needed. The curriculum integrates NCLEX preparation to ensure students are well-prepared for exam success.
The program’s exclusive focus on nursing education sets it apart. Each instructor and staff member understands the student’s goal of becoming a registered nurse and provides tailored guidance. The program’s mission centers on preparing professional nurses who deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care as members and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams.
New sessions begin every eight weeks, and general education courses offer convenient night classes. Students can balance their education with other responsibilities easily.
Available Program Tracks
Arizona College of Nursing’s BSN program prepares you to excel through a perfect mix of theory and hands-on experience. You can complete your nursing education and start working faster than traditional four-year programs.
The program takes three years to complete with distinct phases. Your first year builds foundational knowledge through 8-week general education courses. These focused sessions teach you everything from Fundamentals of Biology to Introduction to Psychology, Human Development, and Cultural Diversity & Global Health. These subjects help you understand patient care better.
Your second year brings more specialized content. You’ll finish your general education requirements and start your nursing core courses. This year marks your first clinical experiences where you’ll put theory into practice. You’ll study Human Nutrition, Ethical & Legal Standards in Nursing Practice, Interprofessional Communication, and Mental Health Theory & Application. These courses build your clinical reasoning skills.
The final year deepens your nursing education with advanced coursework and extensive clinical practice. You’ll tuck into specialized nursing areas including:
- Community Health Nursing
- Maternal Health Theory & Application
- Pediatric Health Theory & Application
- Leadership for Quality & Patient Safety
- Transition to the Profession
The program is available to more people thanks to its flexibility. New sessions start every eight weeks, so you won’t wait long to begin your journey. More importantly, general education courses run during evening hours, letting you balance your studies with personal life.
The program has 120 credit hours—70 for core nursing and 50 for general education. You’ll complete 630 clinical contact hours and work with healthcare professionals in various settings to develop your caregiving skills.
The program focuses on NCLEX-RN preparation through all nine semesters. You’ll take practice exams and learn exam strategies from day one. This approach works well – Arizona College of Nursing reported an 89.74% NCLEX pass rate in 2023 across all campuses.
This simplified program structure helps you become a professional nurse by a lot faster than traditional programs—without cutting corners on education quality or clinical preparation.
Flexible Learning Formats
Arizona College of Nursing understands what modern students just need and blends different learning methods throughout its BSN program. Students learn through a multi-environment approach in classrooms, clinical agencies, simulation laboratories, community settings, and virtual platforms.
Evening flexibility is the core of the program design. Working professionals can take all general education courses during night hours, which makes the transition to BSN school easier. These evening classes are a great way to get future nurses to choose Arizona College of Nursing. The program offers many general education courses in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format that improves accessibility.
The program’s digital elements are resilient. While not a 100% online nursing program, students can complete many non-clinical courses online in an asynchronous format. This mixed approach combines in-person instruction with virtual classes. The curriculum also includes innovative web-based education applications that promote critical thinking and clinical judgment. Students work with virtual simulations, interactive e-books, individual-specific learning platforms, and video case studies.
Faculty-led virtual simulation experiences help develop clinical skills. You can work through patient scenarios, check-ins, and live debriefings from anywhere, which helps bridge theory and practice. These virtual simulations serve as clinical replacements only when needed.
You will be on campus several days each week, especially when you have skills-intensive portions of the program. The frequency changes by term based on lab sessions, simulation training, clinical preparation, and in-person classes.
The program offers more flexibility with multiple start dates—new sessions begin six times annually. You can start your education at the most convenient time instead of waiting for traditional fall or spring semesters.
Arizona College of Nursing creates a learning environment that fits students who balance education with life responsibilities through evening classes, online components, and flexible scheduling.
Entry Criteria & Prerequisites
Arizona College of Nursing’s BSN programs have specific academic standards you must meet. You’ll need a high school or college cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a weighted composite score of 60% on the HESI A2 Admissions Exam. The good news is that scoring 75% or higher on your HESI A2 weighted composite will waive the GPA requirement completely.
The HESI A2 plays a crucial role in getting admitted. Students with a GPA of 2.75 or above must score at least 60% on the weighted exam. Those with lower GPAs need to achieve 75% or higher. The college accepts HESI exams taken elsewhere as long as they meet three conditions: you took the exam at an institution, completed all required sections, and finished within four hours.
Missing the mark on your first try isn’t the end of the road. You can take the HESI A2 up to three times in a 12-month period. Just remember to wait three calendar days between your first and second attempts. The wait extends to 14 business days between second and third attempts.
The admission process also requires:
- Completed application and enrollment agreement
- Official high school transcript/diploma or equivalency
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, alien status, or legal residency
- Personal laptop for coursework
Students can use GED credentials instead of traditional high school diplomas. Anyone wanting transfer credits should submit official transcripts and course catalogs from previous schools before their first term starts. Transfer credits have specific time limits – lab courses must be from the last two years, science and math-related general education from the last five years, and non-science general education from the last ten years.
Military service members and veterans get special consideration. They might qualify for credits based on their Joint Services Transcript documentation.
What Sets The BSN Programs Apart at Arizona College of Nursing
Arizona College of Nursing stands out with its unique way of preparing future registered nurses. The BSN program sets itself apart with several qualities that create a complete learning experience.
The program excels at clinical preparation. Students gain extensive hands-on experience through 630 clinical hours in various healthcare settings. They also complete 270 lab hours and 50 simulation training hours. This resilient practical component will give students both confidence and competence before graduation.
There’s another reason why this program stands out – its exclusive focus on nursing education. The school’s environment revolves around nursing excellence. The core team’s expertise and resources create an immersive learning community that arranges with students’ professional goals.
The curriculum strikes a perfect balance between theory and practice. Students experience clinical work throughout their education instead of learning theoretical concepts first. This approach helps them connect classroom learning with ground application right from the start.
Faculty mentorship adds strength to the program. Instructors bring their extensive clinical backgrounds with their academic credentials. They give an explanation into nursing practice that creates a rich learning environment which exceeds textbook education.
The accelerated timeline attracts many students. The program condenses traditional four-year nursing education into three years without compromising quality or content. Students can start their professional practice and earning potential sooner.
The program’s NCLEX preparation strategy deserves special attention. NCLEX preparation blends throughout the curriculum instead of being just a final-semester concern. Students build their knowledge base and test-taking strategies systematically to succeed in this vital licensing examination.
These distinctive elements make Arizona College of Nursing’s BSN program a compelling path to registered nursing. It effectively balances educational rigor with practical preparation.