You can certainly pursue a fulfilling career as a registered nurse (RN) with just an associate’s degree education. However, continual advances in medical technology are making modern healthcare delivery increasingly complex. As a result, employers want to be sure that the nurses they hire can meet the challenges of patient care from day one. They often do this by preferencing candidates with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.
This is where RN-to-BSN programs come into the picture. They enable working nurses with an associate’s degree to attain baccalaureate education in nursing. In order to accommodate their students’ demanding schedules, many of these programs offer evening classes or distance learning components. They are also often designed to take advantage of students’ work experience in order to provide a better learning experience. Many Arizona colleges offer RN-to-BSN programs, including large state universities like Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in Arizona earn a median annual salary of $71,010. The state’s BSN-holders typically occupy the top quartile, earning $82,850 or more per year. With a BSN degree, nurses will find that their options for employment increase significantly. A number of Arizona’s healthcare providers actively hire registered nurses with BSN degrees, including University of Arizona Health System, Mayo Clinic, and Banner Health.
Those interested in pursuing an RN-to-BSN program may find the list below helpful as a starting point for their search. We’ve identified the very best RN-to-BSN programs in Arizona.