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nursing@nau.eduNursing undergraduate FAQs
Begin your journey to becoming a nurse. Your path to a meaningful nursing career starts with essential preparation and informed planning. Here, you’ll find answers to your questions about attending the College of Nursing at Northern Arizona University, including prerequisites, the admissions process, program details, student resources and more.
Admissions and application process
Does the College of Nursing have a separate application, and where can I find it?
Yes. After applying to Northern Arizona University, you will submit a separate application to the College of Nursing. The application page you select varies depending on which program you are applying for.
Information on the HESI A2 exam
We require the HESI A2 exam to apply to the traditional and AIP BSN programs—or for all students who are not yet licensed RNs. It includes sections on anatomy and physiology, grammar, reading comprehension, vocabulary, general knowledge, and math.
To help prepare for the HESI A2 exam, we recommend the Admission Assessment Exam Review, 5th Edition (2021–2022). ISBN: 9780323582261
NCLEX-RN exam
You must pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) after graduation to work as a Registered Nurse.
What is the NCLEX pass rate?
Our NCLEX pass rates are consistently over 90%.
Please visit Arizona State Board of Nursing to view current pass rates.
Program information
Where are the nursing programs offered?
- The traditional BSN program is offered in Flagstaff, Yuma, and Tucson.
- The American Indian Program is offered in Flagstaff, has a separate application, and is only available during the fall application cycle.
- The compressed BSN is offered in Flagstaff, North Valley, Tucson, and Yuma.
- The accelerated BSN is offered in North Valley and Flagstaff. Flagstaff will be available during the Fall 2024 application cycle.
- The concurrent enrollment program is offered at Arizona community colleges partnered with NAU.
- The RN to BSN program is offered online.
- You can find more information about each program and its location here.
How long does the program take?
You spend the first three semesters as a pre-nursing student, completing prerequisites. Upon completion of all prerequisites, you will be ready to apply to the College of Nursing. Once accepted:
- Traditional BSN and American Indian Program: 5 semesters (2.5 years) with summer semesters off
- Compressed BSN: 4 semesters (16 months), including summer semester
- Accelerated BSN: 3 semesters (12 months), including summer semester
Can I apply to more than one campus?
You can apply for more than one campus and can indicate first and second choice for what campus you want to attend.
Can I reapply to the program if I do not get in?
Yes. You can wait until the next application cycle to reapply if you were not accepted.
Is the College of Nursing accredited?
What is the cost of attendance?
University tuition and fees are managed by Student and Departmental Account Services. The university also manages the college fees students are required to pay.
Can I study abroad?
The College of Nursing has study abroad resources.
Transcript information
Student resources
Are there any clubs or organizations for pre-nursing students?
The Student Nurses Association (SNA) of Northern Arizona University is a student organization comprised of all university pre-nursing and nursing students and is governed by an executive board under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Are there any scholarships for nursing students?
Yes, we have scholarships for nursing students.
How do I set up an appointment with a nursing advisor?
If you are a current student at NAU, you can set up an appointment with our online appointment scheduler.
If you are not currently a student at NAU, please email nursing.advising@nau.edu or contact Gateway First Year Advising.