Shaping the future of nursing in Arizona

Expanding impact across Arizona

At Northern Arizona University, we’re passionately expanding our nursing programs to address Arizona’s critical nursing shortage and enhance the quality of healthcare in our communities.

NAU Nursing is elevated to a standalone college

In recognition of the vital role of our nursing programs, NAU is proud to elevate the School of Nursing to a standalone College of Nursing. This transformation will boost our visibility and effectiveness in tackling the nursing shortage through enhanced partnerships, ongoing program expansion, and a strong focus on attracting and retaining dedicated, mission-driven faculty.

Proactively addressing the nursing shortage

With Arizona projected to face the largest shortage of nurses in the country by 2025, particularly in rural areas, NAU is taking decisive action. We are innovating with new simulation labs and updating our curriculum to better prepare students for the demands of today’s healthcare challenges.

Our state-of-the-art facilities provide realistic clinical scenarios that ensure our graduates are prepared to step into their nursing careers immediately.

Scholarships and other assistance for nursing degree costs

We understand the importance of offering affordable, high-quality nursing degree programs. We offer a comprehensive range of financial support options, including scholarships, grants, and loans, tailored to meet the needs of all our students—from incoming freshmen to those in our Accelerated and Compressed BSN programs.

Deepening community ties

Our strategy to deepen community ties includes strong partnerships with local healthcare providers and organizations, particularly in rural and underserved communities. These partnerships enrich our students’ educational experiences and play an important role in improving community health outcomes.

Our students provide care informed by direct interaction with patients and grounded in community needs. This is integral to developing skilled, compassionate nurses well-prepared to serve and lead in their communities.

Culturally attuned healthcare training

Our American Indian Program (AIP) is a testament to NAU’s commitment to culturally attuned healthcare. Growing steadily since its inception in 1996, the program supports Native American students in providing effective healthcare within their communities, respecting and incorporating their unique cultural perspectives.

Embracing innovation and holistic approaches

We embrace the future of nursing with enthusiasm to innovate and refine our educational models. Our focus on developing comprehensive trauma-informed care and a holistic admissions process demonstrates how we value every aspect of a student’s journey. By recognizing the unique experiences and qualities of each student, we lead in offering Arizona’s most affordable and high-quality nursing degrees.

Our programs are enriched with scholarships, faculty-student mentorship, robust exam preparation, and more, cultivating a nursing workforce that is skilled, deeply empathetic, and ready to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve.