RN to MSN Programs in Arizona

Online RN to MSN Programs in Arizona

All of the Arizona universities in our school listings are willing to offer online RN to MSN programs. Just keep in mind that GCU, NAU, and UOPX will want to see a non-nursing bachelor’s degree before they will consider you. (UA is happy to accept ASN or ADN candidates.) In addition, here are a few more points worth mentioning:

• Grand Canyon University: All of the non-NP concentrations at GCU are available in an 100% online format, with short course lengths (e.g. 5 weeks for bridge classes and 8 weeks for graduate courses). However, if you’re interested in the online FNP or AGACNP tracks, be sure to read the program disclosures on the MSN pages. There are a few states where GCU’s online program does not meet licensure requirements. In addition to clinical practicums, NP concentrations also include 2 mandatory on-campus experiences (1-3 days) where you’ll be able to receive hands-on clinical training and prepare for certification.
• Northern Arizona University: NAU offers the online MSN – Generalist in 2 models. In the traditional model, students select a semester-based course schedule and pay tuition based on credit hours. In the competency-based model, students can set their own schedules and pay a six-month, flat subscription rate for all coursework. (Because of the training that’s involved, the online FNP track is only offered in the semester-based model.) Regardless of their choice, all online students have full library access and 24/7 tech support.
• University of Arizona: UA’s RN to MSN in Clinical Systems Leadership is 100% online with no campus components. Classes are offered in an asynchronous format (i.e. no mandatory log-in times), but alumni often mention how much they liked the discussion boards, distance meetings, and group projects. In the final capstone, students create a patient-centered care management plan under the mentorship of a faculty member.
• University of Phoenix: In UOPX’s RN to MSN pathway, non-NP concentrations are 100% online, but the FNP track contains a mandatory 5-day residency for the course in health assessment. Depending on the specialty, California students may also have different course lengths and clinical components.

Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Arizona

Our ranking of the most affordable Arizona RN to MSN programs is based on one data point: per graduate tuition rates. But it’s only an estimate! Each program will have a different number of total credits, different fees, and even different tuition structures. For example, GCU’s six bridge courses are billed at the undergraduate rate.

1. Grand Canyon University: Non-NP specialties (NP tuition rates are higher than NAU and roughly equivalent to UA)—View Tuition Rates
2. University of Phoenix: View Tuition Rates
3. Northern Arizona University: View Tuition Rates
4. University of Arizona: View Tuition Rates

Looking at public options? At UA and NAU, there’s no difference between resident and non-resident tuition rates for online graduate nursing programs.

Arizona’s Healthcare Landscape

Arizona—land of sunshine, deserts, and some complicated healthcare challenges. Overall, the state is fairly healthy, with good metrics in a number of areas, including low rates of cancer deaths and obesity.

But in cities like Phoenix and Tucson, one of the major issues is the looming shortage of healthcare professionals. Arizona is a prime destination for seniors & retirees, and the state is struggling to keep up with the demand for primary care physicians. Primary care NPs and nurses in relevant hospital specialties (e.g. AGACNP) are also needed.

Another long-standing concern is the state of healthcare for rural residents and American Indians.

• A quick look at the state’s County Health Rankings is enough to prove the point. Rural counties with reservations (e.g. La Paz, Navaho, and Apache) frequently have the lowest rankings in health outcomes & health factors.
• Arizona usually receives failing grades in the U.S. Rural Health Report Card, with Ds or Fs for mental health, physical health, mental health access, and primary care access. The age-adjusted mortality rate in rural areas can be 21% higher than the rate in urban counties.
• The Arizona Department of Health Services publishes annual reports on the Health Status Profile of American Indians in Arizona. In 2017, these residents ranked worse than the statewide average in 47 of 65 health indicators and died much younger than others. Cirrhosis & chronic liver disease, diabetes, poor prenatal care, and post-neonatal mortality were just some of the issues in play.

This is why you’ll see Arizona nursing schools advocating for better rural healthcare, more American Indian nurses and midwives, and a clearer understanding of contributing factors. One of these factors could be the lack of mental health providers. In certain Arizona counties, there may be no mental health facilities and only 1-2 psychiatrists. Something to bear in mind if you’re an aspiring PMHNP!

Jobs for Arizona RN to MSN Graduates

Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates

We’re happy to report that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) keeps a close eye on job & wage data for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary. You can even use the employment maps to compare AZ regions with neighboring states.

As you might expect, the prime market for Arizona NPs is the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area—approximately 68% of the state’s nurse practitioners and 57% of its nursing instructors work in this region.

• They practice in most of the Best Hospitals in Arizona (e.g. Mayo Clinic, Banner Medical Centers, St. Joseph’s Hospital, etc.) and Magnet Facilities (e.g. HonorHealth Medical Centers).
• They teach in some of the state’s largest universities, including Grand Canyon University in Phoenix and Arizona State University in Tempe.
• And they’re paid well. Nursing instructors in Arizona have some of the highest annual mean wages in the country.

If you want to stretch further, Flagstaff has Northern Arizona University and the Flagstaff Medical Center. And Tucson has the University of Arizona, TMC Healthcare, the Northwest Medical Center-Tucson, and Banner University Medical Center Tucson. UA is a big university with a big reach, which may explain why ~29% of the state’s nursing instructors are centered in that city.

As we mentioned, rural areas are in real need of doctors and nurses—in 2018, the entire eastern part of the state only had 70 NPs. That’s a shame, because NPs in Arizona have full independent practice authority and are recognized as primary care providers (see the Arizona Board of Nursing’s Advanced Practice Resources section for more details).

If you’re willing to work in rural settings, UA’s Center for Rural Health is a good place to start for information. The CRHWorks: Workforce Data & Analysis has a helpful map of Primary Care Professional (PCP) shortage areas. Arizona also offers a couple of State Loan Repayment Programs (SLRPs) to primary care & rural healthcare professionals.

Career Resources for Future APRNs

Arizona Nursing Job Boards

• AzNA Career Center: Job listings for Arizona nurses, including NPs, nurse educators, and nurse leaders
• ANPC Career Center: Job listings for Arizona NPs
• AzONE Career Center: Job listings for Arizona nurse leaders & executives

Arizona APRN Salary & Wage Data

• Annual Mean Wages for Arizona Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
• Annual Mean Wages for Arizona Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
• AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members

Arizona Nursing Organizations

State Board of Nursing

• Arizona State Board of Nursing

Arizona Nursing Associations & Coalitions

• Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing (AzFFN)
• Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA)
• Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA)
• Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council (ANPC)
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): Arizona Chapters
• National Black Nurses Association (NBNA): Arizona Chapter

Arizona Nursing Specialty Organizations

• American College of Nurse-Midwives – Arizona Affiliate (Arizona ACNM)
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Arizona Chapter (APNA Arizona)
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Arizona (AWHONN Arizona)
• Arizona Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AZANA)
• Arizona Emergency Nurses Association (Arizona ENA)
• Arizona League for Nursing (AZLN)
• Arizona Organization of Nurse Executives (AzONE)
• Arizona PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association (AZPANA)
• School Nurses Organization of Arizona (SNOA)
• Student Nurses Association of Arizona (SNAAZ)