Nov. 22, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to address a growing health care workforce shortage in the state, NAU is expanding its nursing education programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The need for nurses is growing by about\n12 percent a year, a more accelerated rate than the average 5 percent for other\nprofessions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This shortage\nand demand for degrees has led NAU to expand a number of programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith more than 2,150 pre-nursing and nursing students pursuing a variety of nursing programs at NAU in a variety of locations or online, NAU is proud to address the health care workforce today and provide opportunities for our students to enter a high demand career with growth options,\u201d NAU President Rita Cheng<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting in winter semester 2020, the\nBachelor of Science (BSN) nursing program is accepting an additional 20\nstudents a year at its Tucson campus. With this expansion, NAU expects to graduate\n200 BSN degrees per year by 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NAU currently offers BSN program options\nin Flagstaff, Tucson, Yuma and Fort Defiance, graduating an average of 180 new pre-licensure\nBSN graduates a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n NAU also will offer a new program for\nindividuals with bachelor\u2019s degrees in non-nursing fields to earn a master\u2019s of\nentry to the profession of nursing (MEPN). \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n This new degree option allows\nindividuals with bachelor of science degrees to enter the highly sought-after\nnursing profession with a master\u2019s degree. This program will begin in Tucson in\nFall 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, a new Clinical Nursing\nSpecialist Prescriptive Authority Course Bundle will provide clinical nurse specialists\nin the state of Arizona the ability to obtain limited prescriptive authority.\nThe Arizona State Board of Nursing has recently moved forward a requirement for\nthe completion of three advanced practice courses to obtain prescriptive\nauthority. The final legislative approvals are anticipated in early spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n NAU currently offers a variety of RN-BSN\nprograms online and accepts 90 transfer credits from a community college,\nmaking degree completion to the BSN accessible to a broad range of students at\nan affordable price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The RN-BSN program also is offered in a\nPersonalized Learning format, allowing students to perform competency-based\nlearning and progress at their own pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the RN-BSN, NAU currently\noffers a Concurrent Enrollment Program with most Arizona Community Colleges RN\nPrograms, allowing students to graduate with associate and bachelor degrees at\nthe same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n NAU also offers an accelerated Bachelor\nof Science in Nursing program option, and several graduate degrees, including a\nMaster\u2019s of Science with a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Nursing Generalist track,\na Post Master\u2019s Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor of Nursing\nPractice (DNP).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"