Arizona College of Nursing

About Arizona College of Nursing

Arizona College of Nursing is an accredited institution offering nursing education programs designed to prepare graduates for licensure and professional practice. The nursing profession continues to experience significant demand nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that approximately 3.1 million registered nurses were employed across the United States as of 2022, with the field projected to add roughly 193,100 openings per year through 2032 due to retirements, population growth, and an aging patient population requiring increasingly complex care.

Choosing a nursing school is one of the most consequential decisions in a healthcare career. Factors such as programmatic accreditation, NCLEX-RN examination pass rates, clinical partnership networks, faculty expertise, and total cost of attendance all play a role in program quality and student outcomes. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports that the national average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is approximately 87–89 percent — a useful benchmark when comparing schools.

Arizona College of Nursing holds accreditation from CCNE. Programmatic accreditation from agencies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) ensures that the curriculum meets nationally recognized standards, that graduates are eligible for professional licensure, and that credits are transferable to graduate programs. Employers — particularly hospitals pursuing Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — strongly prefer graduates from accredited programs.

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024 (BLS), with salaries varying by specialization, experience level, and geographic location. Nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically earn 10–20 percent more than those with an associate degree, and the BSN is the required foundation for advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner (median salary $129,210), clinical nurse specialist, and nurse anesthetist (median salary $223,210). The National Academy of Medicine has recommended that 80 percent of the nursing workforce hold a BSN or higher to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the healthcare system.

Clinical Training & Hospital Partnerships

Arizona College of Nursing has a clinical access score of 90/100 (Exceptional), reflecting an extensive hospital network with strong placement support.

• Intermountain Health is the primary clinical education partner.
• Clinical placements are coordinated by the school.
• Features advanced simulation labs with high-fidelity patient simulators.
• Partnership with Scholars Network provides employment pathways for graduates.
• Named hospital & health-system partners: Intermountain Health.
• Simulation lab — on-campus skills training.
• Hire pipeline — documented residency or interview pathway.

Admissions

Arizona College of Nursing has a moderately competitive admissions process.

• High school or college cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for admission into the BSN program.
• Applicants must complete and pass the HESI A2 assessment exam.
• Most common admission pathway: a minimum weighted HESI A2 score of 60% when cumulative GPA is 2.75 or higher.
• Alternate pathway: if cumulative GPA is below 2.75, a minimum weighted HESI A2 score of 75% is required.
• GPA requirements may be waived if HESI A2 score is 75% or above.
• No published overall acceptance/admission rate (%) is available on official pages. No verified statistic found.
• Arizona College of Nursing does not operate a waitlist—they state there is no waiting list and that advisors assist promptly upon inquiry.

Transfer credit policy:

• Applicants with transferring science or math courses must have earned a "B" or higher (within 5 years) for eligibility.
• Other general education courses require a "C" or higher (within 10 years).
• Prerequisite courses are not explicitly detailed on the website; the academic catalog suggests general education and foundational courses are part of the BSN curriculum, but no formal prerequisite list or waitlist policies were located.

Program-Specific Details — Accelerated BSN

• Minimum GPA: 2.8 (high school or college cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for admission into the BSN program).
• Applicants must complete and pass the HESI A2 assessment exam.
• The BSN program includes multiple environments—classroom, clinical agencies, simulation and learning labs, the community, virtually, and online.
• General education courses are offered as "convenient night classes."
• Some non‐clinical courses are delivered fully online in an asynchronous format.

Schedule & Format Flexibility

• Learning formats: The BSN program includes multiple environments—classroom, clinical agencies, simulation and learning labs, the community, virtually, and online.
• General education courses are offered as "convenient night classes."
• Session starts: New sessions begin approximately every 8 weeks, providing multiple entry points throughout the year.
• Asynchronous coursework: Some non‐clinical courses are delivered fully online in an asynchronous format, allowing students to complete them on their own time.
• Synchronous coursework: It is unclear whether any components (e.g., virtual sessions) are synchronous. The presence of "virtual sessions" blended with evening classes suggests some scheduled online components, but no explicit mention of synchronous requirements.
• Delivery modes (online vs hybrid vs on-campus): AZCN's BSN program utilizes a hybrid delivery model—some instruction is on-campus and some is delivered virtually/online.

What to Consider When Evaluating a Nursing School

• Accreditation: Ensure the program holds programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), in addition to regional institutional accreditation.
• NCLEX Pass Rates: First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are a key indicator of program quality. The national average is approximately 87–89 percent, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Look for programs that consistently meet or exceed this benchmark.
• Clinical Partnerships: Strong clinical partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations ensure students get diverse, high-quality hands-on experience during their training.
• Student Support Services: Academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, and NCLEX preparation resources contribute to student success and licensure exam readiness.
• Career Placement: Some schools maintain partnerships with healthcare employers that facilitate hiring of new graduates, which can ease the transition from education to practice.