Grand Canyon University

GCU offers a highly regarded Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program designed for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree or have completed at least 60 non-nursing college credits. This program is ideal for those looking to transition into nursing quickly, as it enables students to earn their BSN in as little as 16 months.

Admission Requirements:

• Previous Education: Applicants must have either a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited institution.
• GPA: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for all coursework applied to the ABSN program, and a GPA of 3.25 or higher is required in the prerequisite courses.
• Prerequisite Courses: These must be completed with a satisfactory grade before admission and include subjects like Human Anatomy and Physiology, College Mathematics, and English Composition.
• HESI A2 Entrance Exam: Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 80% in Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Math, and 75% in Human Anatomy and Physiology.
• Background Check and Fingerprint Clearance: All students must pass a background check and obtain a fingerprint clearance card specific to Arizona.

Program Structure:

The ABSN program at GCU combines online coursework with hands-on clinical training and simulations. The curriculum is designed to build on the student's previous academic experience, allowing them to dive directly into nursing-specific education from the start. Clinical rotations are integral to the program and are conducted at various healthcare facilities in the Phoenix area, providing students with practical, real-world experience.

Key Features:

• Duration: The program can be completed in 16 months, making it one of the fastest routes to becoming a registered nurse for those who already have a college education.
• Hybrid Format: While theoretical coursework is delivered online, students must attend in-person sessions for skills labs, simulations, and clinical experiences.
• NCLEX Preparation: GCU’s ABSN program places a strong emphasis on preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is evident in the high first-time pass rates achieved by its graduates​.

The Grand Canyon University offers the Master of Science Degree in a range of nursing programs.  The MSN programs include specialties in advanced nursing practice, nursing administration, leadership, education, public health and informatics.

The different graduate specialties develop core theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for practice at the graduate level. The program includes foundational courses in nursing theory, health policy, nursing research, ethical practice and healthcare systems financing.

The Master’s in Nursing, specialties include clinical practice hours ranging from 150 to 650 hours.  Students in all specialties are required to develop an evidence based project which shows the integration of theoretical knowledge in the different programs.

Many of the specialties in nursing at Grand Canyon are offered in the traditional campus format while the education and leadership programs being offered in an online format.

Admission Requirements:

1. Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing from a program accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC
2. Complete pre-requisite courses in research, statistics and health assessment
3. Have current, valid and unencumbered License to practice in the state of residence

Applicants seeking to specialize in advance practice are recommended to get in contact with the State Board of Nursing to determine the requirements for certification as a nurse practitioner or advance practice nurse in their state of residence.