BSN to MSN programs aren’t just popular in Arizona – they are popular around the nation. Nursing is an in-demand field and one that offers a lot of job satisfaction, which leads to many people considering a career in this field.
Furthermore, many BSN to MSN programs in Arizona include opportunities to get clinical experience in a wide range of settings, including rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and hospitals. As such, you can fine-tune your skills to help many kinds of patients with many different medical needs.
Not all BSN to MSN programs are alike, though. To help you sift through available programs, we have compiled a list of some of the best options in Arizona.
BSN to MSN Degree Programs in Arizona
The University of Arizona
School Information
With nearly 47,000 students, the University of Arizona is one of the largest universities in the country. Students at the University are mostly undergraduates, though more than 10,000 students are enrolled in a graduate program.
The University of Arizona has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs from which to choose. If you are unsure about pursuing a degree in nursing, you can select from more than 150 majors, including business, psychology, and criminal justice, to name a few. Whatever major you pursue, you can enjoy a low student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1.
This school isn’t just about academics, though. You will find more than 400 student organizations on campus, as well as one of the best student recreation centers in the nation. With a diverse student body – nearly half of which are students of color – you will have many opportunities to get to know students from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Program Information
The Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of Arizona offers a BSN track that’s comprised of eight courses, each of which is seven weeks long. These courses help you build the necessary knowledge and skills required for advanced nursing practice. Courses include:
- Healing Environments and Practices
- Quality and Safety Management
- Evidence-Based Practice Improvement
- Health Information and Patient Care Technologies
- Healthcare Environments and Care Coordination
Additionally, you must complete a 16-week capstone project prior to graduation.
All told, this BSN to MSN degree takes about 13 months to complete, provided you take two courses a semester. All 30 credits in this program can be earned online.
Arizona State University
School Information
Arizona State University is a large, public, doctoral-granting institution whose main campus is in Tempe. The Tempe campus has nearly 55,000 students, making it the largest university in Arizona and one of the largest in the country.
Arizona State also has a robust online campus. In fact, ASU Online has more students – nearly 58,000 – than its main campus in Tempe! All told, more than 135,000 students are enrolled at Arizona State.
Whether you study in-person or online, you will learn from world-renowned faculty in small classes designed to help you achieve your personal best. You can choose from more than 4000 undergraduate majors and nearly 600 graduate and doctoral-level programs and certificates. With that kind of selection, you can tailor your studies to suit your specific interests and needs.
Program Information
At Arizona State University, you can pursue an MSN degree that helps you advance your career. This 30-credit program focuses on nursing leadership, with classes that explore lifespan issues, patient safety, and health promotion. This includes courses in:
- Evaluating Research for Practice
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
- Individual and Innovation Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice
- Patient Safety and Health Care Quality Principles, Assessment and Methods
- Health Care Evidence, Informatics and Analysis
The culminating project for this degree involves a comprehensive literature review. You will use your research and apply it in a specialized proposal that addresses a critical issue in nursing practice or nursing education.
This program requires you to complete 12 courses, each of which is 7.5 weeks long. Courses are online, and there are start dates throughout the year to offer you greater flexibility for completing your studies.
The University of Phoenix
School Information
The University of Phoenix was founded in 1976 as a college specifically for working adults. Over the years, the University grew and adapted to changing times and eventually focused on online education – which is still its focus today.
The school offers many majors and programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Though the University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, many of its individual programs are accredited by related agencies. For example, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
The University of Phoenix includes seven colleges, each of which focuses on a particular career area, like education or business. Within these colleges are hundreds of degree and certificate options that will help you gain the skills you need to move up the career ladder.
Program Information
One of the unique features of the University of Phoenix’s online Master of Science in Nursing is that you can choose from a range of specializations. You can specialize in informatics, nursing education, or nurse administration. You can also choose a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner track or a family nurse practitioner track.
You will progress through the program by taking one course at a time, each of which is six weeks in length. Most students can complete this MSN degree in about 21 months. Upon graduation, you might be eligible to take national certification exams in nursing to help you further your career.
The programs available at the University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). As such, the curriculum is aligned with CCNE standards to ensure you get a top-quality education.
Northern Arizona University
School Information
Northern Arizona University was founded in 1899 and stands today as a primary research institution that awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. You can choose from more than 180 undergraduate majors, more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs, and nearly 100 certificates.
Though not as big as the University of Arizona or Arizona State University, NAU is still a large school with nearly 29,000 students.
Part of the school’s popularity is its location in Flagstaff, which is a much cooler climate than the deserts of the southern part of the state. Flagstaff is near mountains, rivers, and canyons, and affords you many recreational opportunities, including skiing in the winter.
Program Information
Northern Arizona University’s Master of Science in Nursing program focuses your studies on becoming a family nurse practitioner. To graduate, you must complete 48 credits of coursework in family healthcare, pharmacology, and advanced nursing practices, to name a few.
Furthermore, you must complete several clinical experiences to graduate. Each clinical experience focuses on family primary health. The final clinical rotation also includes an evidence-based capstone project in family healthcare.
To apply to this program, you must already have a BSN. Alternatively, you can have an associate’s degree in nursing in addition to a bachelor’s degree in another field. You must also have a current unencumbered RN license.
Work Opportunities in Arizona
As noted in the introduction, nursing is a popular career field, partly because of the consistent demand for qualified nurses. A quick search of job listings in Arizona reveals more than 10,000 jobs currently available for registered nurses (RNs).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that job growth in this field will be steady and about average at 6 percent growth through 2031. However, the need for nurses might be higher in Arizona because of the very large population of older residents. Older people require more medical care, thus the large number of job openings in the state.
With an MSN, you can expand your job prospects even further. Beyond typical RN jobs, you can pursue specialties that are even higher in demand. For example, you might specialize in family practice, oncology, or gerontology. Specializing in these or other areas of nursing might make it more likely to find employment. Additionally, nurses with specialties often make more money.
Becoming a master’s-level nurse is a long road that requires a lot of hard work. However, if you enroll in one of the programs discussed above, you’ll have a solid foundation for success in building a long-lasting career.
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