Entering the Profession

Your nursing career starts here - at The University of Arizona College of Nursing, a close-knit learning community where each year more than 400 students gain the knowledge and experience needed to achieve the educational outcomes that lead to a satisfying professional practice or advanced education. Envision yourself becoming a professional nurse. Prepare to advance your leadership within the profession.

The College of Nursing offers two routes toward entry to the profession of nursing:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Professional Program
The BSN Professional Program is designed for students completing their first baccalaureate degree who wish to pursue a career in nursing. The four semester upper-division entry level Professional Program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and eligibility to take the national licensure examination (NCLEX-RN) required for practice as a nurse.

Students can either apply directly to the upper division Professional BSN Program or, if qualified, they may join the College as a Pre-Professional BSN student and apply to the Professional BSN Program when their first two years of prerequisite courses are completed. Requirements for the Pre-Professional entry and admission to the Professional Program can be found on our BSN page. All students must apply as part of a highly-competitive process to enter the Professional portion of the BSN program.

For more information please visit our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) page.

 

Master’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) Professional Program
The Master’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) Professional Program is designed for students who have already earned a non-nursing baccalaureate degree, or higher, who wish to pursue a career in nursing. The 15-month accelerated program leads to a Master of Science (MS) with an emphasis in Nursing and eligibility to take the national licensure examination required for practice as a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN). The program prepares the graduates as an advanced nursing generalist - able to provide and coordinate comprehensive health care for individuals, families, groups and communities in in-patient, outpatient and community settings. After completion of the MEPN program, students interested in advance speciality areas may take certificate coursework or enroll in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

For more information please visit our Master's Entry to the Profession (MEPN) page.

Accreditation and Affiliations
The College of Nursing at the University of Arizona is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, and affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Western Institute of Nursing. 

For more information contact:
Office of Student Affairs
College of Nursing, Room 112
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-6158

Email: entry@nursing.arizona.edu