College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Nurses who have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are highly valued by healthcare employers. GCU helps prepare those looking to begin their nursing career.

Acceptance into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure program is competitive. Not all students will be admitted into the clinical coursework, which begins in the junior year. Acceptance is determined by a stack-rank according to the nursing admission criteria and the availability of clinical spaces. You are also required to take the HESI A2 exam for admission into the program. Exam dates are available on GCU’s campuses at different times during the year.

At the end of the program, students are expected to take the NCLEX–RN to become a licensed nurse. GCU’s commitment to equipping students for the NCLEX is revealed in the testing scores. Grand Canyon University’s overall NCLEX first-time pass rate for 2020 was 96.17%, while the Arizona Board of Nursing’s pass rate was 91.44% and the national first-time pass rate was 86.58%.² Speak with your admissions representative or visit BSN Requirements for more information.

Students who currently hold an RN and who intend to seek their master’s degree can choose one of two efficient paths to their advanced degree. Our fast track and online bridge pathways that allow you to plot a faster course from your RN to MSN.

Are you looking for an RN to MSN program to help you take the next step in your nursing career? An MSN augments your skill set and provides greater application of theory to solve real-world health challenges. At GCU, RN to BSN candidates who are interested in earning an MSN can accelerate their nursing education and career through a fast track option.³ Both the BSN and MSN degrees can be earned in as little as 30 months, offering you two valuable career credentials in less time and for less overall cost. For more information, fill out the Request Info form on this page.

GCU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program equips students to graduate in as little as 16 months by leveraging their prior education.⁴ If you desire to become a nurse, the ABSN program offers you a swift and direct route to earning your nursing degree while gaining key skills. The hybrid format of the program offers the flexibility of an online program while still providing hands-on experience at our Sun City and Tucson locations. For more information on our Accelerated BSN program, visit the ABSN page.

BSN-prepared nurses looking to become leaders in the field may be considering a DNP program. This program is designed for nurses looking to further their education and pursue nursing leadership positions. Learn more about this program by filling out the Request Info form on this page.

The mission of the GCU athletic training program is to prepare you to become a superior quality athletic training professional while teaching you to become a global citizen, critical thinker, effective communicator and responsible leader. The objectives of the program are to provide student athletic trainers with exceptional learning experiences to gain the knowledge and practical skills required to be a highly competent, functional and well-rounded athletic trainer.

Acceptance into the athletic training program is competitive and takes place during the spring semester of the first year. Not all students will be admitted into the clinical coursework, which begins in the sophomore year. Specific prerequisite courses must be taken prior to applying for admission, and clinical course requirements must be met in order meet CAATE accreditation standards and guidelines, as well as liability and health precautions. For more information about this program, call us at 855-GCU-LOPE.

The curriculum is built to encourage students to step back and view concepts specifically through a Christian worldview. We do this through including assignments that focus on Christianity and the Christian mission. We also discuss topics such as compassion, respect for human dignity and ethics, as well as create prayer forums, include scripture in announcements and encourage scripture reflection in discussion forums. Faculty engage with students from a servant perspective. Through these opportunities, students feel God’s love through their instructors and college staff.

Students benefit from the care, concern and encouragement offered by faculty, staff and fellow students. They appreciate being able to share their views and values in the classroom and report that prayer and the reading of scripture motivate and assures them, especially during tests and difficult situations. Demonstrating our Christian mission helps students feel comfortable sharing their faith, and allows them to extend the Christian mission from their learning environment to personal and professional settings.

Students understand our Christian mission and our values as an institution, they may not think of the “One Foundation” terminology specifically. They experience it through the faculty’s knowledge and use of One Foundation resources and best practices in the classroom.

The faculty and students alike are all centered around creating wellness and encouraging the physical and mental wellbeing needed to pursue healthcare professions. Nurses, for example, typically have chosen a life dedicated to human flourishing — the nursing profession requires addressing the needs of the entire person, including spiritual and cultural needs. Faculty actively help students practice and follow Christian values in their personal and professional lives in the way that they engage with each another, and through integrating Christ-centered language into our principles.