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A Nursing Career Resource with Licensing Info & Job Openings
In a nation that is suffering a shortage of nurses, Arizona is one of the hardest hit. The state is in such need of nurses, both RN and LPN, that the Governor has instituted a task force with the sole mission of increasing the number of nurses in Arizona. This means that any nursing student that graduates nursing courses and passes the state boards is virtually guaranteed a job. Much like the rest of the United States, better health care, diet, and personal care has contributed to a longer life span. This has caused a sharp rise in the elderly population which directly impacts the need for nurses. Population growth in general has contributed to the need, but the rate of elder care facilities growth has been exponential.
Arizona offers courses in practical nursing (LPN) and registered nursing (RN). The Governor's Task Force has a focus on recruiting students into the RN programs, though LPNs will have no problem finding work. Each program has prerequisites that are specified in the course information of the school you choose. The University of Pheonix has an exceptional nursing program for both LPNs and RNs, along with continuing education courses from Associate's degrees to Master's programs.
Some nursing programs in Arizona may offer online courses. Most will be for any prerequisite courses and credits and some may be applied to continuing education credits. There are no full nursing programs, that are approved by the state's nursing board, online. All clinical parts (manual skill training) must be performed under the supervision of an educator, usually an RN.
Each nursing program has their own prerequisites or other requirements for entrance. Many practical nursing (LPN) programs have no prerequisites and students may only need a high school diploma or GED to begin classes. All programs require fingerprint cards which are supplied by the student and are found by contacting local sheriff's offices. RN programs typically have prerequisites, along with more advanced requirements such as titers, statements of health, CPR certification and more.
Nursing students must pass the National Clinical Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and are responsible for all testing fees which can cost up to $200.
A nurse's license for LPNs and RNs, in Arizona, is $200 and is good for four years. The fee for licenses is divided into $150 for the document and $50 for fingerprint processing.
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