College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

GCU's Healthcare and Nursing College

For more than 40 years, the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has prepared students to fill evolving healthcare roles as qualified professionals educated in direct care, management, health education and administration. Grand Canyon University’s (GCU) College of Nursing and Health Care Professions’ online nursing programs were ranked the third most well-attended nursing program nationwide in 2023 by College Factual.1 We strive to help prepare tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.

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GCU’s nursing programs rank third most well-attended nationwide in 20231

Through the use of in-person and online environments, and by applying science, health and nursing theories, GCU’s nursing programs work to advance critical thinking, professionalism, accountability and ethical decision-making. This is all fulfilled within our Christian identity and mission, known as One Foundation.

Button to play video: Dean's Message - College of Nursing and Health Care Practitioners

The mission of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions is to prepare competent, compassionate professionals empowered to promote health, wellness, safety and quality care for all. This mission is supported by academically rigorous programs built upon a strong foundation of liberal arts education and evidence-based practice that reflect missional, Christ-centered Christian values and a global worldview — catalysts for human flourishing.

Graduates are prepared to respond to ever-changing needs by implementing both innovative thinking and skills to address complex issues within healthcare. Our commitment to preparing the next generation of transformative, servant leaders, exercising their vocational calling, is evident in the diversity of healthcare offerings and an evolving curriculum that connects theory to the real world.

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RN to BSN Tuition Reduction
Now $340 per Credit²

GCU lowered the price of our RN to BSN program by 30% to help make college more affordable

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Nursing and Healthcare Degrees

Part of why GCU’s nursing programs ranked among the top three most well-attended nationwide in 2023 by College Factual is because GCU offers a wide range of programs.Options range from pre-licensure and post-licensure BSN nursing programs, bridge pathways to a BSN or MSN, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). We offer a variety of online nursing programs,3 undergraduate and graduate healthcare degrees that can help you position yourself to potentially lead in your field. Explore GCU’s nursing, healthcare and athletic training degrees to learn more.

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Minors Offer Advantages

If you are a traditional campus student who would like to add another credential to your primary degree, consider adding a minor to your program.

 

Nursing Program Information

88.4%

GCU’s first-time NCLEX pass rate for 20224

95.89%

First-time Sun City ABSN pass rate in 20224

98.21%

First-time Tucson ABSN pass rate in 20224

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 throughout 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 first-time NCLEX pass rate for 2022 was 88.4% at our main campus in Phoenix, while Arizona’s state-wide average first-time pass rate in 2022 was 84.79%.4 Speak with your admissions representative or visit BSN Requirements for more information.

Are you an RN looking for an MSN program? An MSN augments your skill set and provides a greater application of theory to solve practical 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.5 Both the BSN and MSN degrees can be earned in as little as 30 months, offering you two career credentials in less time and for less overall cost. For more information, fill out the form on this page.

GCU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can equip students to graduate in as little as 16 months by leveraging their prior education.6 If you desire to become a nurse, the ABSN program offers you a direct route to earning your nursing degree while gaining key skills. The hybrid format of the program offers classes in an online format while still providing hands-on experience through skills labs, immersive simulations and clinicals at various clinical locations.1 First-time ABSN pass rates in 2022 were 95.89% in Sun City and 98.21% in Tucson. Arizona’s state-wide average first-time pass rate in 2022 was 84.79%.4 For more information on our accelerated BSN program, visit the ABSN page.

MSN-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 earning your DNP 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 quality athletic training professional while teaching you to become an innovative thinker, effective communicator, global contributor and transformative leader. The objectives of program are to provide student athletic trainers with exceptional learning experiences to gain the knowledge and practical skills required to be a competent, functional and well-rounded athletic trainer.


For more information on the accreditation of GCU’s nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.

GCU’s tuition rates and fees vary depending on your program and whether you will be an on-campus or online student. Read through our available scholarships and how GCU can help finance your educational journey.

Requirements differ based upon your intended program. Find more information and speak with a university counselor today on what is needed for admission into GCU.

GCU offers those who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and those enrolled in the Maricopa County Community College District nursing program a faster way to their BSN or MSN degree. View more information about our Concurrent Enrollment.

 

Integration of GCU’s Christian Identity in Curriculum in the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

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 can 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.

 

College Factual. (n.d.). 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major. Retrieved Oct. 27, 2023.

2 Cannot be used in conjunction with other GCU scholarships or awards.

3 While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend clinical, practicum and immersion hours in person locally.

4 Arizona State Board of Nursing. (n.d.). Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates. Retrieved Oct. 27, 2023.

Earn your BSN and MSN in as little as 2.5 years. Transfer of 90 credits that apply to your degree, and continuous enrollment required.

Based on location, applicants must transfer a minimum of 60 of the required 123 credits, or have completed a baccalaureate degree, and complete nine prerequisite courses/labs and 10 general education courses prior to starting the core nursing courses which can be completed in 16 months.

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