Nursing (ADN)

This associate degree in nursing (ADN) program prepares you for an entry-level career as a Registered Nurse (RN) at our Mesa or Tucson, Arizona campuses. Combining classroom instruction with extensive hands-on lab practice and real clinical experience, you'll build the skills to provide patient care across every stage of life over approximately 20 months, from foundational nursing concepts in your first semester to acute and complex patient care in your last. When you complete the program, you'll be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue licensure as a registered nurse.

Program objective. To develop in students the intrapersonal and professional skills needed to perform as competent entry-level nurses through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical experiences. Among the topics covered in the curriculum are anatomy and physiology, growth and development, pharmacology, nursing theory, skills for patient care across the lifespan, and other topics necessary for students to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to perform as effective members of the nursing team.

Graduates of this program earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Graduates of approved nursing programs are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX RN®). Those who pass the NCLEX-RN® are qualified to apply for state licensure or registration to practice nursing.

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Patient Care: Patient care across the lifespan
• Pharmacology: Pharmacology and drug calculations
• Nursing: Nursing theory and evidence-based practice
• Acute Care: Acute and complex patient care
• Informatics: Healthcare informatics and professional communication

Continuing your education. Graduates of the Nursing associate degree program may be eligible to enroll in the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program at Pima Medical Institute. This advanced degree can open additional job opportunities in specialized nursing settings.

Interested in pursuing a broader healthcare management degree? At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration .

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

Program-specific requirements. In addition to the Admissions requirements listed in the Prospective Students section of this catalog, applicants must achieve a minimum score on a nursing admissions test, and an interview with nursing faculty is required. An applicant must provide proof of a LPN certificate to be eligible for a qualified advanced entry into the third semester. Refer to the program specific Prospective Student Handout for more information.

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants of the associate degree Nursing program are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 23. Applicants for associate degree programs are also required to take a math admission test and receive a minimum of 80% (24 out of 30 correct); a calculator is allowed, the time limit is 45 minutes, and the test can be taken up to 3 times. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies.

At a glance. Course length: 20 months (approximate); Total credits: 70; lab hours: 320; class hours: 764; externship hours: 528.

Mesa and Tucson campuses. The 2026 tuition price list shows 70 semester credits and 1,612 clock hours over 80 weeks, including 11.5 externship credits (528 hours).

• Licensure: Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), administered by the State Board of Nursing.*
• Entry-level roles: Registered nurse, med-surg nurse, telemetry nurse, ICU nurse, ER nurse or long-term care nurse.
• Career advancement: With experience, RNs can move into charge nurse, nurse manager or clinical specialist roles, or pursue additional certifications in areas such as critical care, oncology, or pediatrics.

Licensure and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. This associate degree program prepares you to pursue roles such as:

• Staff Nurse
• Charge Nurse
• Emergency Room Nurse
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Home Health Nurse
• School Nurse
• Long-Term Care Nurse

These roles exist across a variety of environments, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, community health organizations, schools, long-term care facilities, in-home health, physicians' offices and outpatient clinics.

Job outlook. 6% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $97,550 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (visited September 22, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.