Nursing Programs in Phoenix

U.S.A. Arizona

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I'm currently looking for an ADN program that is inexpensive and doesn't have a waiting list. I'm looking for something in phoenix or its surrounding areas. I have done all my pre-reqs but don't want to wait 1.5 years to start a 2 year nursing program at the local community colleges like Gateway. Nor am I looking to pay crazy tuition fees like $40k+ at a private school unless they offer a FAIR payment plan. Does anyone have any ideas on where I could go?

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Since you mention Gateway, I will assume you are West or even North Phoenix. I can say you will not find a cheap no waitlist ADN program in that area. You options for that area are either the MCCCD programs that have a 2-3 year waitlist, or the private schools that are insanely expensive and the education is not nearly as good as the MCCCD programs. If you are will to drive and have competitive grades, then CAC in Coolidge has not waitlist and are well priced. Very similar cost to the MCCCD programs. Only issue is that because of the waitlist of the other programs, that program is pretty popular. They also require you to be a CNA before you can apply. They use a points system for admission and give 5 points just for being a Pinal county resident. Since you are a Maricopa county resident you would pretty much need A's in all of your pre reqs and a fantastic HESI score in order to be admitted.

GL in your search

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@mrsboots87 thanks for the information. I've decided to enter PMI's nursing program in January then do Banner Health's ADN to BSN program. It's pricey but I prefer not to wait haha i'm not getting any younger.

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Specializes in NICU.

I just want to share some advise about PMI. They are not nationally accredited even though they try and say they are. I was going to attend the school in Tucson and when they asked me what I wanted in the future and I told them I wanted to get my MSN in another state they advised me PMI was not the school for me. Going there you will be limited with your degree. But, if your looking to stay in Arizona and get a BSN from a pricey school like university of phoenix I wouldn't waste your time and try and go to GCU or ASU. By the time your done your gonna spend more with PMI. I am currently starting GCU's program this month in Tucson and YES IT IS $42,000 but, its accredited nationally and only takes 16 months to receive your BSN. I believe last time i checked PMI was a little over $30,000 just for a ADN. I know it sucks when you have a family to see the cost....trust me I know...I hate being broke LOL. I hope this didn't come off rude but, I just don't want you to get caught off guard once your invested. GL If you think about moving down to Tucson Ill give you the scoop on all the school LOL :-) good luck and congrats on getting all your pre-reqs done.:woot:

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I just want to share some advise about PMI. They are not nationally accredited even though they try and say they are. I was going to attend the school in Tucson and when they asked me what I wanted in the future and I told them I wanted to get my MSN in another state they advised me PMI was not the school for me. Going there you will be limited with your degree. But, if your looking to stay in Arizona and get a BSN from a pricey school like university of phoenix I wouldn't waste your time and try and go to GCU or ASU. By the time your done your gonna spend more with PMI. I am currently starting GCU's program this month in Tucson and YES IT IS $42,000 but, its accredited nationally and only takes 16 months to receive your BSN. I believe last time i checked PMI was a little over $30,000 just for a ADN. I know it sucks when you have a family to see the cost....trust me I know...I hate being broke LOL. I hope this didn't come off rude but, I just don't want you to get caught off guard once your invested. GL If you think about moving down to Tucson Ill give you the scoop on all the school LOL :-) good luck and congrats on getting all your pre-reqs done.:woot:

OMG you are so right!!! After I read your post I went right away to verify and girl it's just like you said. That's horrible, I plan on getting my masters anyway and my BSN from ASU but after finding that out, I don't want to be associated with a school that's only REGINONALY ACCREDITED. It might harm me in the future.

I think it'll be better for me to go with my 1st plan and take the CNA program at EVIT in September, their Practical nursing program in FEB while I'm doing the 1.5 year wait that Gateway told me about. That way once I start nursing at Gateway I'll enter into blocks 3 and 4 instead of starting from scratch. That way I can gain more hospital experience while going to school.

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I would like to make another recommendation for GCU. I haven't attended the program yet, but I start it in two weeks. But I do know a few people who have graduated from there and they loved it, and are today fabulous nurses with a great job. As mentioned above, it can be quite expensive, over $40K, however, if you have a good GPA, there is an automatic scholarship awarded to you from the school that can bring that down quite a bit. I was rewarded the highest possible scholarship for the first two semesters and if I continue with a good GPA for all 4 semesters that could potentially bring the total tuition down to 28K for the program. Anyway, I wanted to be sure and throw that out there, especially if you have a high GPA so that you are aware that it doesn't have to be a 40K dollar education. I will be attending Grand Canyon U in Phoenix, and will graduate with my BSN December of 2015. So it is a fast option if your pre-reqs are done.

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Specializes in NICU.
OMG you are so right!!! After I read your post I went right away to verify and girl it's just like you said. That's horrible, I plan on getting my masters anyway and my BSN from ASU but after finding that out, I don't want to be associated with a school that's only REGINONALY ACCREDITED. It might harm me in the future.

I think it'll be better for me to go with my 1st plan and take the CNA program at EVIT in September, their Practical nursing program in FEB while I'm doing the 1.5 year wait that Gateway told me about. That way once I start nursing at Gateway I'll enter into blocks 3 and 4 instead of starting from scratch. That way I can gain more hospital experience while going to school.

Im glad that didn't come across ugly. Truly trying to help :-) Best advice don't be afraid to ask questions and if something doesn't feel right... 9/10 its not. When I went to GCU and spoke to the advisors and some students I knew I found the school. You'll get there girl keep up the hard work.

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You can also look into U of A they have a 15 month program in Phoenix and Tucson, and no entrance exam is required for admissions. NAU is also another good school. They have a 12 month program in Flagstaff and a 2.5 year program in Tucson. NAU is also one of the more affordable nursing programs in Arizona.

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I took all of my prerequisites at MCC and searched every possibility to get right into a program. The communistic approach of Maricopa County is awful (but that is another topic altogether). The only options are Pima county, a super expensive (poorly accredited) school like PMI or Chamberlin, or ASU & GCU. Maricopa does have the concurrent enrollment program where you attend the ADN nursing program and take online courses from NAU or ASU at the same time and you end up with a BSN. That would be your cheapest option and from what I heard, there is no wait list. It is merit based (down with communism).

One last thing to consider is that it is very hard to get a job with only an Associates Degree. BSN nurses are what the hospitals want so they can get their Magnet certification.

I didn't want to wait for MCC and the concurrent enrollment program did not exist at the time so I applied at ASU and GCU. I was accepted by both schools. Either school would have given me a top notch education and accreditation for the future. I ended up going to ASU and graduated in May. I'm now working at Banner Good Sam in the ICU.

I wanted to get through with as little expense as possible. My loans for 2 years of MCC and 2 years of ASU total about $35,000. For me, this was the best option because it got me through as quickly as possible and I have a degree that allows me to continue.

Find a program that is right for you and your future. Don't be fooled by the private schools. They just want your money.

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After doing some more digging I am thinking I may try and go the asu route for my bsn. My initial plan was associates from maricopa and then start on my RN to bsn (while looking for a job) however I have nearly all the pre req's for asu done I would just need 4 more of them and by that time I'd still be waiting to get in for my associates....and as far as I can tell if I did my bsn thru asu as opposed to getting my associates and then bridging over I'd be saving at least 4k and graduating with a bsn before I would even be done at a community college and graduating with a two year degree....am I making sense?? Does asu take new nursing students in fall and spring semesters? After I completed all their pre req's I believe I would be ready to apply for nursing at asu for the fall 2016 semester...trying to figure out what's the best path!

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I have heard things about Brookline too. I know they don't have many prereqs and it is a fast track program to your bsn. Not sure about accreditation though. I am pretty set on GCU

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Specializes in NICU.
I have heard things about Brookline too. I know they don't have many prereqs and it is a fast track program to your bsn. Not sure about accreditation though. I am pretty set on GCU

Yea! GO LOPES!

i will start a new thread once I start school so I can try to give more of an inside eye :-) I'm a little excited to start GCU Monday.

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