The state of Arizona is home to many renowned and accredited nursing schools. It offers comprehensive and accredited nursing programs. Nursing schools in Arizona offer degrees on all levels including associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorate degree programs.
In addition to campus-based programs, a number of nursing schools in Arizona offer degrees online as well. Online programs offer certain benefits which may not be available to those pursuing campus based degrees. Online programs provide a flexible and convenient learning schedule which enables students to continue working while studying. These programs also enable candidates to avoid costs related to traveling. Online programs may further be more affordable due to low cost of online education.
The types of nursing programs offered both traditionally and online, include the following:
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LPN to RN programs
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RN to BSN programs
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BSN programs
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Masters in nursing
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Post Masters in nursing
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DNP/PhD in nursing
A diverse range of nursing specialties are offered by nursing schools in Arizona. These include the following, among others
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Nurse practitioner
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Clinical nurse specialist
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Midwife nursing
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Nurse anesthetic
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Nurse educator
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Acute care nursing
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Family nursing
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Geriatric nursing
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Neonatal nursing
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Pediatric nursing
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Nurse informatics
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Nurse administrator
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program
The program provides basic nursing knowledge and training to students. The program focuses on health promotion and disease prevention. The curriculum may be divided into general education requirements, core courses, and electives. The core courses may include the following topics, among others:
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Nursing foundations
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Health assessment
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Therapeutic communication
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Nurse informatics
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Introduction to pharmacology
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Nurse practice
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Nurse theory
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Psychiatric mental health nursing
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Evidence based nursing
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Family-centered nursing
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Community nursing
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Global health issues
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Transition to professional nursing theory
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Transition to professional nursing practice
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Therapeutic communication
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Applied nutrition
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Path physiology
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General psychology
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Human anatomy and physiology
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Micro biology theory
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Micro biology practical
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Nursing based practice
The above mentioned curriculum is typical of many programs. However, each nursing school will have its own curriculum, tailored according to the demands of its students and industry preferences.
Career outlook
After completing a degree in nursing, students can choose to enter into a number of nursing specialties. Some of the options include licensed practical nursing (LPN) and registered nursing (RN). Students can also specialize in a particular area such as anesthesia, gynecology, cardiology, oncology, and physiology. Those with doctorate degrees in nursing may also join the teaching profession and conduct medical research.
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, consultancy and emotional support, and educate public about various health conditions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of registered nurses was $ 65,470 in May 2012. Their job outlook is good too; according to the BLS, employment of registered nurses is expected to increase by 19% from 2012 to 2022.