Review of nursing colleges in Arizona

Nursing is a healthcare profession concerned with providing medical attention and care to people with ailments and those who are physically incapable of looking after themselves. Nursing professionals worldwide ensure quality care for all keeping in mind an individual's physical and psychological needs.

Depending on a student's preference of desired nursing career as well as education background, he or she is given varied degree options in the field of nursing. For instance, students could opt to begin their nursing career by completing an Associate’s degree program in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor’sprogram in nursing. Once they have earned either of these, they can pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn the required license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).Let's take a closer look at some of the educational prerequisites for those who might want to consider nursing as a profession and some of the nursing schools in Arizona.

In order to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program, students must have completed their high school education. In Arizona, Arizona State University’s College of Nursing & Health Innovation, University of Arizona and Grand Canyon University offer graduate, master and doctoral certificate programs in Nursing. CollegeAmerica, (which offers online nursing program through its affiliate college- Stevens-Henager College) might favor students with a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Other schools might prefer students with high GPA or higher grades in Science during their selection process. Students who are part of an ADN Program are given a foundation in nursing skills and science through theory as well as practice. These skills are essential for a successful career in nursing. For example, one of the reviews about CollegeAmericasaid that students were introduced to topics such as pathophysiology, physical assessments, pharmacology principles, mental health nursing, psychology, advanced med-surg nursing and the like which gave them an edge while working in hospitals.

Upon completion of the ADN Program, students can move on to take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN), in order to become a registered nurse (RN). On being awarded the title of RN, nurses may either pursue different roles as advanced practice registered nurses, while others may opt to stick to the traditional role of working in hospital settings, healthcare centers, clinics, nursing homes and hospice organizations etc.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted a job growth of RNs of about 22% from 2008-2018. According to PayScale.com, registered nurses can earn anything between $40,277and$79,938 in a year.

Nurses who've completed ADN programs and wish to pursue advanced nursing positions may continue their education through a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in nursing. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program also prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN. Nurses may also wish to complete master's or doctoral degrees in nursing in order to qualify for advanced practice in specialized nursing positions, work in research or to start a career in nursing education.

Nursing can be a very a rewarding and fulfilling career for those who wish to serve people. The educational paths to get there are varied but the goal remains the same.But before you enroll in a program read reviews about the college and the program. For example, CollegeAmerica review information can be found on different review websites such as CollegeProwler.com. Campus Discovery etc. These review websites provide reviews about colleges from real students. Also, make sure you enroll in a program that is accredited by a recognized body.