Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Admission

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) applicants who meet the requirements below are admitted directly into the nursing program and enrolled into the program's general education courses, which may take four semesters to complete. Applicants may request that general education credits earned at another accredited college be evaluated for transfer to the BSN program. Credits that transfer will likely reduce the total number of semesters required for program completion.

Students who successfully complete the general education curriculum, having satisfied certain grade and GPA criteria, progress into the core nursing courses beginning in semester five.

English Proficiency

All instruction will be given in English. English language services, such as ESL, will not be provided by Arizona College of Nursing. Applicants must prove English proficiency by providing evidence of one of the following: Applicants must complete the HESI A2 Admissions Exam during the enrollment process and achieve a weighted composite score of 60%. Achieving the required minimum score establishes the necessary level of English language proficiency for the specific program. Completing High School or higher in which the language of instruction was English.

Requirements for Admission into the BSN Program — Admission Documents

• Completed application and enrollment agreement for the nursing program.
• Official high school transcript/diploma with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or one of the following official high school equivalency results with these minimum scores:
  • General Equivalency Diploma (GED®): No minimum score
  • High School Equivalency Test (HiSET®): Cumulative score of 80 or above
  • Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC™): 500 in all subject areas and at least two on the written essay
  • New York High School Equivalency Diploma (NYHSED): Earned by one of the four eligible pathways
  • California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE): Passing in all subject areas
  A cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or higher with at least 12 college credits from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) will be accepted in lieu of the high school GPA or GED® score requirement. GPA requirements will be waived if student is a graduate of an Allied Health program at Arizona College.
• Signed transcript release form for all colleges and universities attended if the college GPA is to be used in the admission decision. Official transcripts for the high school and all colleges or universities attended (if these are to be used in the admission decision) must be submitted within the first semester (or sixteen weeks) of the first day of class to remain enrolled.
• A weighted composite score of 60% on the HESI A2 Admissions Exam. See "Admissions Testing." (GPA requirements will be waived if A2 weighted composite score is ≥75%.)
• Proof of United States citizenship, alien status or legal residency. A driver's license, passport or birth certificate, combined with a government-issued document that contains a photograph of the applicant and or a green card (I-551) are the most common demonstrations of proof.
• Las Vegas students only: Proof of completion of the Nevada Constitution and U.S. Constitution course only if all general education courses are transferred.

Admissions Testing

HESI A2: Prior to acceptance, each applicant must complete an exam consisting of four HESI Admission Assessment (A2) subtests:

• Anatomy and Physiology: 30-item exam. Provides coverage of general terminology and anatomical structures and systems. Recommended time: 25 minutes
• Reading Comprehension: 55-item exam. Reading scenarios that measure comprehension, including identifying the main idea, finding meaning of words in context, passage comprehension and making logical inferences. Recommended time: 60 minutes
• Vocabulary and General Knowledge: 55-item exam. Contains basic vocabulary that is often used in health care fields. Recommended time: 50 minutes
• Math: 55-item exam. Focuses on math skills, including basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, decimals, ratios and proportions and household measures. Recommended time: 60 minutes

The nursing program consists of nine semesters. The entire program is approximately 144 weeks. The program is delivered in a blended format.

Nursing Core Courses (70 credit hours)

Nursing Program Grand Total: 120 credit hours.

Students are charged per credit hour, regardless of their enrollment status (ex. full-time or part-time). A per-semester resource fee applies.

The following are included in the resource fee: review resources for each ATI Specialty Exam administered throughout the core curriculum; virtual library resources (LRN and CINAHL online general education and nursing databases); initial membership in the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA); two (2) sets of scrubs (top & bottom); background screening (semester 1); drug screening/testing (semester 4); clinical compliance tracking fees; clinical rotation fees (where applicable); science lab supplies; simulation and health assessment lab supplies; on-site tutoring by credentialed faculty; graduation regalia and nursing pin; Virtual ATI NCLEX® support provided in the Capstone course, as well as access to Virtual ATI post-graduation; live three-day ATI NCLEX® review post-graduation; individual ATI Virtual Tutoring extended four weeks post-graduation; Pearson VUE NCLEX test fee (does not include retests); technical support; Canvas LMS Systems; and textbooks (may include physical and/or e-text).

Estimated variable costs not included in the resource fee include a registration fee, physical exam & immunizations, student liability insurance, non-porous shoes & watch with second hand, clinical equipment & supplies, background check for licensure, fingerprint rolling fee, subsequent random drug testing, additional background checks (if required), and an optional interim permit.

Student Financial Assistance

As an accredited institution and an institution under agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, the college is eligible to participate in a variety of student financial aid programs. The college is committed to providing its students the most advantageous financial aid package the student's eligibility allows.

General Student Aid Eligibility

Eligibility for most federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors. The most basic eligibility requirements to receive federal student aid are the following:

• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED®)
• Not be in default or owe an overpayment of Federal Student Aid

How to Apply

You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. The FAFSA is used to apply for federal financial aid (grants, work-study and loans). You (and your parent for dependent students) will need an FSA ID to complete your FAFSA, make corrections to the application and more.

Types of Aid Available

• Federal Pell Grant (Grant: does not have to be repaid) — The Pell Grant is awarded to students who have a financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) (Grant: does not have to be repaid) — For undergraduates with exceptional financial need; Federal Pell Grant recipients take priority; funds depend on availability at school.
• Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized/Parent PLUS (Loan: must be repaid with interest) — Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with no requirement to demonstrate financial need. Direct PLUS Loans are eligible to parents through schools participating in the Direct Loan program.
• Private Loan (Loan: must be repaid with interest) — A number of private outside entities offer students alternative sources for financing their education. Unlike federal loans, the terms of private loans are set by the individual lenders.
• Institutional Retail Installment Contract (Payment Plan: must be repaid with interest) — Students who have exhausted all other means of funding can make payments to the institution for the difference through an institutional loan (iLoan). Interest on an institutional loan is subsidized during school.

Arizona College of Nursing Scholarships

• Futures Scholarship — For students that neither of their parents completed a bachelor's degree program; the completion of a parental college attestation form is required.
• GED® Scholar Scholarship — For students who did not earn a high school diploma but instead completed the requirements for a GED.
• Advancement Scholarship — For students who previously completed a diploma, certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree program.
• Continuing Education Scholarship — Intended to support students who have completed an Allied Health post-secondary certificate or degree program at Arizona College.
• Working Parent Scholarship — For students that have dependents living in their home who are age 18 or under and the student works a minimum of 10 hours per week; the completion of an employment and dependent attestation is required.
• Achievement Scholarship — This merit-based scholarship is awarded to students that possess a CGPA of 3.0 or higher from all coursework leading to a degree of study.
• Opportunity Scholarship — For those students with the greatest financial need. Based on the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the student has a Student Aid Index of Zero or below.

Institutional scholarships are not offered at the California campuses. All internal scholarships are tuition-based. External scholarships are applied as tuition-based unless the funding organization specifies that the funds must be allocated differently.

Veterans Benefits

In compliance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of Title 38 amendment, Arizona College of Nursing permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31, 33, or 35, and ending on the earlier of the date on which payment from VA is made to the institution, or 90 days after the date Arizona College of Nursing certifies tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Total program tuition is $116,400 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).

Career Services

All graduates are provided with assistance with employment. It is a graduate's responsibility to prepare their resume and cover letter, design a personal job search campaign, dress appropriately for interviews, set up job interviews and attend interviews. At no time does Arizona College of Nursing guarantee placement.

Educational Environment, Technology & Equipment

Campuses provide space optimized for student learning and engagement. Wi-Fi is available throughout. Classrooms are outfitted with computer-operated audiovisual equipment. A Learning Resource Center (LRC) is the campus hub of academic support including tutoring plus group and individual study space.

State-of-the-art high fidelity human patient simulation laboratories provide a safe space for practicing clinical care and learning by peer feedback and self-reflection. Additional skills laboratories are equipped with task trainers, patient care devices and clinical supplies. An additional science laboratory, used for general education courses, is furnished with microscopes, anatomical models and equipment for performing biology and chemistry experiments.

Instruction

Learning takes place in multiple environments including the classroom, clinical agencies, simulation and learning laboratories, the community and virtually through the internet. Courses may be offered residentially, online or in a blended format. The faculty at Arizona College of Nursing commit to teaching-learning practices that are evidence based, interactive and student centered. Learning is an active process facilitated by faculty. Faculty are readily available for extra support, tutoring and guidance.

Student Involvement

As part of the profession of nursing, students are expected to take an active role in organizations and leadership positions. Students at Arizona College of Nursing have the opportunity to participate in the Student Nurses Association (SNA), as a member and potentially as an officer. Students hold positions on both the BSN Program Curriculum Committee and the College Policy and Standards Committee.

New Student Orientation

Arizona College of Nursing's new student orientation provides students with an opportunity to review important college policies and procedures.