Find Top Online RN to BSN Degree Programs in AZ
This guide profiles Arizona’s best online RN to BSN programs and provides recommendations and tips to help you start your path to career advancement. Here, we’ll discuss what it’s like to learn online and what you can expect from programs in terms of curriculum, completion time, and cost. We’ll also provide answers to the most asked questions and give you a snapshot of the state’s salary and employment trends for BSNs. Let’s get started.
In-Depth Profiles of Online RN to BSN Programs in Arizona
When it comes to earning your BSN, online schooling will allow you to work as an RN while going to school at the same time. You’ll be able to take advantage of this flexibility by choosing classes that fit into your schedule, whether that means studying full- or part-time. You can also take as many or as few classes as you want to set your own pace and determine when you’ll graduate.
Most RN to BSN programs do not require any on-campus visits for lectures and collaborative assignments. However, it is not unusual to have labs and other clinical experiences in online programs completed on-campus or at a specific clinical site near you.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – The University of Arizona, Global Campus
The RN to BSN program at the University of Arizona is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and designed around nurses who are already working. Students will take the accelerated 5-week classes one at a time and can receive college credit for prior learning and even for passing the NCLEX-RN exam. An optional part of the program includes choosing from one of six emphases ranging from cognitive studies to supply chain management.
The curriculum will expand upon previous knowledge and emphasize leadership concepts and skills. Students will learn to promote quality care and patient safety; apply current evidence, critical thinking, and assessment skills; use technological and informatics systems to promote quality care; use collaborative skills to communicate with and educate others; assess health and wellness beliefs and practices to promote health and disease prevention; articulate the value of lifelong learning to grow professionally; and integrate holistic nursing knowledge and practices across the lifespan.
Duration: About 3 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $460/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Possess a current, active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse or its equivalent in at least one U.S. state. Students must maintain an active unrestricted license throughout the program.
- Have earned a nursing (hospital) diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) from an approved accredited institution.
- Have earned a grade of C- or higher in Microbiology (with lab), or equivalent, from an approved accredited institution.
Curriculum:
- General Education Courses
- Nutrition
- Lifespan Development
- Pathophysiology
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Acute and Chronic Illness Management
- Mental Health Nursing
- Population Health & Community Nursing
- Nursing Leadership & Management
Nursing-Option for Registered Nurses, Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University has three different entry points into its RN to BSN program—one each for those who have just started their associate degree, are in the middle of their associate degree, or have already earned their associate degree. Students can transfer up to 90 credits from an accredited college to count toward their BSN, but at least 30 credits must be completed through NAU.
Students can expect to learn how to integrate theory, evidence, professional perspectives, and patient preferences into their clinical judgment. They’ll learn how to use effective communication and combine evidence and nursing knowledge to evaluate and modify nursing practices with the goal of providing holistic, safe, comprehensive, and patient-centered care for diverse populations. Students will be able to advocate for health equity and social justice for vulnerable populations and will learn to participate in collaborative efforts to improve aspects of the environment that negatively impact health both locally and globally.
Duration: 1-3 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $487/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Have graduated with a nursing diploma or nursing degree from an accredited program
- Be an RN with an unencumbered license
Curriculum:
- Health Assessment for Registered Nurses
- Basic Principles in Palliative Care
- Gerontology
- Family Nursing Roles
- Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Policy
- Public Health Nursing Roles
- Nursing Leadership Applications
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Nursing Leadership Capstone
Online RN to BSN (Competency Based) – University of Phoenix
The competency-based RN to BSN program from the University of Phoenix can be completed in as little as 12 months if you transfer credits from an associate of nursing degree. A competency-based program allows students to set their own pace in a flexible environment and leverage what they already know to earn their degree faster. They spend less time on things they know and more time on things they don’t. Students can take classes concurrently or one at a time and can complete up to four courses over the course of sixteen weeks.
The program consists of 33 credits and includes courses on health information technology, leadership perspectives, research outcomes management, healthcare policy and finances, health in communities, influencing quality in healthcare, and health promotion and disease prevention.
Duration: 12+ months
Mode: Online
Cost: $300/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Associate degree in nursing
- Unencumbered nursing license
- One year of professional experience
Curriculum:
- Professional Contemporary Nursing Role and Practice
- Theoretical Development and Conceptual Frameworks
- Health Information Technology for Nurses
- Professional Nursing Leadership Perspectives
- Research Outcomes Management for the Practicing Nurse
- Integrity in Practice: Ethical and Legal Considerations
- Health Care Policy and Financial Management
- Promoting Healthy Communities
- Influencing Quality within Health Care
- Public Health: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Senior Leadership Practicum
Student Support: FAQs for RN to BSN Programs
Making the transition from RN to BSN can feel overwhelming, and it’s okay if you still have questions. To help you with your research, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions students ask. Read on to learn about necessary nursing skills to help you be successful, common program requirements, and program costs.
What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an RN to BSN program in Arizona?
The foundation you built as an RN only strengthens when you earn your BSN since the top Arizona RN to BSN programs align with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) standards. Most notably, RN to BSN programs also focus on leadership tactics and professional values to help nurses advance into leadership positions. This knowledge qualifies you for work in a variety of settings and sets you up for pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree.
Like the BSN degrees at Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University, these programs expand upon your foundation of knowledge regarding clinical practice and prevention to encompass holistic patient-centered care that integrates theory, evidence and professional perspectives.
How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in Arizona?
Obtaining your BSN degree from an Arizona college can take between one year to four years, depending on the program requirements and whether you attend full-time or part-time. For example, Arizona State University’s RN to BSN program requires 39 total credit hours that can be completed in as few as 14 months. Another example is Grand Canyon University, which takes 12 months if you attend the five-week classes full-time. With self-paced programs like those offered at Northern Arizona University, you can also complete courses at your own pace. If available, take advantage of credit transfer opportunities to cut down on the number of classes you have to take.
How much do RN to BSN programs in Arizona cost?
The cost of an RN to BSN program depends on where you go, if you study full- or part-time, and how many previously completed credits can transfer into your new program. Generally, RN to BSN programs cost around $350 per credit (Grand Canyon University and University of Phoenix) on the low end and $537 per credit (Arizona State University) on the high end.
Fortunately, completing courses online can result in additional savings in travel and housing. Some programs even allow you to complete part, if not all, of your clinical requirements in the medical facility where you already work.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my RN to BSN program in Arizona?
There are numerous financial aid options for RN to BSN students in Arizona. Nursing-specific scholarships and grants can help alleviate the financial strain of trying to work while obtaining an additional degree in nursing. The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association is one example of where to find funding for your degree. Most nursing schools, like the University of Arizona, offer scholarships. To be eligible for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply directly for scholarships through your schooling.
What are the admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in Arizona?
Though admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in Arizona vary by school, most require applicants to be registered nurses in Arizona. In addition, most have a minimum GPA requirement. For example, an applicant’s transfer GPA should be 2.5 or higher for Arizona State University and 2.75 or higher for Northern Arizona University.
Most programs are like Grand Canyon University’s RN to BSN program, which has prerequisite course requirements like biology, chemistry, psychology, English, and mathematics. You must also submit unofficial transcripts from all prior colleges or schools with your application and provide proof of graduation from a nationally accredited nursing program.
Top-Rated Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs in Arizona
Choosing the right RN to BSN program is a big decision, so we’ve pulled information from several Arizona schools and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to come up with a ranked list of the top RN to BSN programs in the state. Rankings are based on a school’s online components, accreditation, academic counseling availability, and career placement services. You can refer to the “About the Rankings” pop-up above for more information. Whether you’re looking for a program that fits your schedule or one with strong career outcomes, this list will help guide your path to success.
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
Salary and Career Outcomes for RN to BSN Track
Like most other states, Arizona needs more nurses. Because of their additional schooling, nurses with a BSN are better prepared for leadership and specialty positions. Nurses with a BSN should expect more responsibility, higher salaries, better benefits, and additional consideration for leadership positions than non-BSN nurses.
When it comes to pay, RNs in Arizona without bachelor’s degrees make an average of $81,883, which is below the national average RN salary of $86,070. RNs with BSNs, however, command average salaries of $86,577 annually as of January 2025, which is above the national average for RNs, though still below the national average for BSNs ($90,406). The lowest earnings in the state for RNs are about $60,000 per year, while the highest salaries for registered nurses are above $100,000. The country’s highest-paid RNs make $120,000 or more.
Arizona cities like Prescott and Phoenix pay their nurses more than those in Tucson and Lake Havasu City, which both average slightly lower wages than nurses throughout the state. Regardless of where you work as an RN in Arizona, your salary is likely to increase after you complete your RN to BSN degree as previously explained.
There are currently about 58,400 RNs working in Arizona, and that number is expected to increase by almost 40% by 2030. Nursing and residential care facilities can expect to see over 5,500 new openings in just the next two years, while 10-year projections indicate nearly five and a half times that.
