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Get Started With MaricopaNursing!
With demand for nurses nationwide, our nursing programs can equip you with the skills and education needed for a high-growth career in this fast-growing field. Each nursing program has a specific admissions process. Applicants should attend an information session at their preferred college before applying for admission.
Information Sessions
Each college offers either open information sessions or advisor appointments by request. See what each individual college offers.
Registered Nurse (RN)
The Registered Nurse (RN) program allows students to pursue an AAS degree in nursing, giving them the eligibility to apply for licensure as an RN and equipping them with the skills and education to deliver care in a variety of healthcare settings. To get an overview of the MaricopaNursing program and application requirements, potential applicants are encouraged to attend an information session at their preferred college.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Applicants are encouraged to meet with the Admission Officers/Advisors each semester. You must complete a Student Information Form at your preferred college and request that all official colleges/universities transcripts are sent to the Admissions Office at the selected college.
MaricopaNursing programs require a high school diploma or GED. If you have questions about this requirement, please speak with a nursing advisor.
Applicants are required to take the HESI Assessment (HESI A2) within 24 months of application submission. You will need a score of 80% or higher in the English language composite score and 75% or higher in math to complete the program. The HESI A2 review materials are available in college bookstores, libraries, and various online options.
A Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card is required for admission into the program. For a Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card application, visit the AZ Department of Public Safety website.
Download the Nursing Student Handbook Download the Healthcare Student Handbook
Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP)
The Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) allows students to pursue an AAS degree in nursing through the MaricopaNursing program while providing an affordable, concurrent, or simultaneous course of study that enables students to complete their BSN degree. MaricopaNursing currently offers one RN to MSN CEP option for students who have a previous bachelor’s degree.
Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP)
Students are required to attend a virtual, in-person, or online CEP information session prior to applying for the CEP. Sessions are offered through the district office as listed below and are also offered at various MaricopaNursing colleges throughout the year. Check with the individual colleges for info session dates. There will be a new online presentation coming soon to this website—until then, please attend a virtual or in-person session.
The virtual sessions are listed below:
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
12–1 p.m.
Click to join
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
12–1 p.m.
Click to join
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
12–1 p.m.
Click to join
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
12–1 p.m.
Click to join
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
12–1 p.m.
Click to join
Students are encouraged to:
- Review the university brochures for the CEP partners and select the partner that best suits your needs
- Meet with nursing advisors from both MaricopaNursing and the university partners to develop a personalized plan for your CEP selection
- If a block one CEP start does not work for you, consider a mid-point start. This means you would join your preferred university partner, CEP when you begin block three. You would speak with the university partner of your choice during block two and plan your CEP courses at that time
Arizona State University
Northern Arizona University
Ottawa University
Grand Canyon University
CEP applications are only accepted during the application intake times listed below.
Fall 2024 Intake for Summer 2025 University Start and Fall 2025 MaricopaNursing Start
The application intake period for students seeking university admission for Summer 2025 and MaricopaNursing block one admission for Fall 2025—pending successful application acceptance—is Monday, December 2, 2024 through Friday, January 31, 2025.
- All applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. AZ time.
- All advisors (Maricopa and university) will have until Friday, February 14, 2025 to validate/update/input CEP applications.
- Directors will meet during the week of February 17, 2025, to review, sort, and make CEP offers to students.
- The first email acceptance letters will go out the week of February 17, 2025, and email offers will continue to be sent until all CEP-designated seats are filled. Please note this can take up to two weeks.
- Emails to those not placed will go out no later than the week of March 3, 2025.
Spring 2025 Intake for Fall 2025 University Start and Spring 2026 MaricopaNursing Start
The application intake period for students seeking university admission for Fall 2025 and MaricopaNursing block one admission for Spring 2026—pending successful application acceptance—is Tuesday, April 1, 2025 through Thursday, May 29, 2025.
- All applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. AZ time.
- All advisors (Maricopa and university) will have until Thursday, June 12, 2025 to validate/update/input CEP applications.
- Directors will meet during the week of June 16, 2025, to review, sort, and make CEP offers to students.
- The first email acceptance letters will go out the week of June 16, 2025, and email offers will continue to be sent until all CEP-designated seats are filled. Please note this can take up to two weeks.
- Emails to those not placed will go out no later than the week of June 30, 2025.
Please keep in mind that during the time email offers are being sent out, there may be several mailings, so be patient while seats are being filled. All dates may fluctuate slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.
All CEP applications are now electronic and students are required to upload and attach all required documentation (outlined below) within the electronic application. All uploaded copies must be legible. Please use a common file type such as .pdf, .doc, .jpeg, or .png. While not necessary, it is appreciated if all pages can be combined into one .pdf file, as it will reduce the time it takes to process your application.
A completed CEP Application includes the following 3 documents:
- The CEP application
- A copy of HESI A2 test scores—these can be printed from your Evolve account
- Unofficial transcripts showing all completed coursework* (official transcripts must be sent to your college of first choice)
*Provide copies of all Maricopa transcripts and any other colleges or Universities attended to submit your CEP Application. Applications without transcripts are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. All external (non-Maricopa) transcripts with courses intended to be used for CEP must be officially evaluated by a Maricopa college Admissions and Records department prior to submitting the CEP application This process can take 2-6 weeks (or longer) to complete.
Submitting your CEP application does not mean your application has been accepted to enter the CEP. You will receive confirmation your application has been submitted. Once the application period has closed, the MaricopaNursing Directors will sort the applications according to rubric score and will notify students via their Maricopa email as to the status of their acceptance or denial to the CEP. Note: If students indicate second, third, or fourth choices, they must be willing to accept any of the choices indicated as the first choice is not guaranteed. Notification can take up to three weeks following the closure of the application period.
Nursing Assistant (NA)
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Nurse Assisting (NA) prepares students for employment as an NA. The program combines classroom instruction with clinical laboratory practice and long-term care and/or acute care experiences in a clinical setting.
Students who complete the program are eligible to take a written and skill certification examination to meet employment requirements to be an NA. Following successful completion, program graduates may sit for either the certification or licensure examination. The Nurse Assisting programs are approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Certification or licensure is not required for application to the MaricopaNursing programs, only successful completion of a NA course. Specific questions may be addressed by the nursing advisor at the college you wish to attend.
Nursing Assistant
All students applying for the MaricopaNursing RN and Practical Nursing programs (LPN) require the successful completion of a Nurse Assistant (NA) course or a current Nurse Assistant certification (CNA) or license (LNA) as a requirement for application.
Certification or licensure is not required for application; however, it is strongly encouraged. Please note that it is not required that students take their NA course with MaricopaNursing. Any approved program that has a live, in-person clinical component as part of the course is acceptable to meet the requirement. Schedule a meeting with the nursing advisor at your preferred college if you have questions about this requirement.
Download the Handbook Download the Healthcare Student Handbook
The Nurse Assistant program (NUR158) is offered at the following MaricopaNursing colleges. Please check with the nursing advisor for specifics regarding requirements and eligibility.
Estrella Mountain Community College
Estrella Mountain offers a day program with two session each semester.
GateWay offers day, evening, and weekend schedules, as well as Advanced Placement NA for those with a minimum of 1 year patient care experience.
GCC offers day and evening programs.
MCC offers day, evening, and weekend schedules, as well as Advanced Placement NA for those with a minimum of 1 year patient care experience.
Paradise Valley Community College
PVCC offers a day program each semester with two sessions in Summer.
Currently admitting students.
Practical Nursing (LPN)
The Practical Nurse (PN) Program, a two-semester program leading to a certificate of completion in Practical Nursing, is available at GateWay Community College and Mesa Community College. Following successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination.
Practical Nursing (LPN)
All students interested in any of our Nursing programs will be required to attend an Information/Advising session, which will provide in-depth information and enrollment guidance. An application and student ID (MEID) must be created prior to the Information Session. Only students who attend a session may meet with a Nursing program advisor one on one.
Advanced Placement
Advanced placement admission is available for:
- Students who are applying for placement into Blocks 2, 3, or 4 of the MaricopaNursing program
- Students who are LPNs seeking to complete the RN degree
- Students who have dropped, failed, or withdrawn from the MaricopaNursing program
- Students who have completed nursing coursework outside of MaricopaNursing and wish to complete their nursing degree
- Students who have met all criteria for admissions
Download the Healthcare Student Handbook Download the Packet
The decision-making process for advanced placement admission is led by the nursing director and considers the following: HESI exit scores, final percentage grades in completed courses, clinical evaluations, and re-entry due to deployment or medical emergency which necessitated an incomplete. Advanced placement applications are valid for a maximum of 2 years from date of application. Students not placed within 2 years from date of submission of advanced placement application packet must reapply and meet all current admission requirements to be considered for advanced placement admission.
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a post-licensure Registered Nurse (RN to BSN) program that allows nurses with an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing or a Diploma in Nursing to advance their credentials or prepare for graduate nursing study.
The focus of this program is on leadership, evidence-based practice, health promotion, public health issues, patient safety and risk reduction, ethical issues, and healthcare needs of diverse populations.
MaricopaNursing AAS graduates and our established clinical partnership students will be granted priority placement in the program.
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
The required minimum for completion of the degree includes a total of 120 semester credit hours. The RN-BSN program will recognize and transfer a total of 62-75 credit hours for the AAS in Nursing Degree or Diploma program from an accredited institution. A valid, unencumbered RN license is a requirement for application. A minimum of an additional 45 credits is required to complete the bachelor’s degree inclusive of co/prerequisites and core nursing courses. Please speak with the RN to BSN Nursing Advisor for specifics about your pathway.
Nursing Core Courses
The core nursing courses amount to 30 credit hours. The program has 6 courses that are entirely online and three courses that are hybrid, requiring minimal lab, simulation, and/or clinical field work. If you live in a rural area, it is possible some of your clinical field work can be done in your geographic area. Here are brief descriptions of the nine core nursing courses:
NUR301, Role of the Professional Nurse
Introduction to the transition from Registered Nurse to the role and scope of the professional baccalaureate nurse. Review of nursing philosophies, theories, and conceptual models. Focus on concepts and attributes of the baccalaureate nurse. (Online, 3 credits)
NUR302, Health Assessment and Promotion
Overview of the health assessment process, including methods of taking health history, physical examination skills, documentation, and health promotion strategies. Emphasis on health promotion across the lifespan among diverse populations, health equity, and community resources. (Hybrid, 4 credits)
NUR303, Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Use of evidence-based research findings for improving clinical practice and person-centered care outcomes. Exploration of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Emphasis on the critical review of research studies and their applications to clinical practice. (Online, 3 credits)
NUR304, Public and Community Health Nursing
Exploration of population health as a system of diverse cultures, values, and subgroups with varying socioeconomic circumstances and levels of vulnerability. Emphasis is placed on analysis of factors which affect community settings, using epidemiological data and functional health pattern assessments to plan, organize, and deliver services in community settings, including health education and promotion, illness prevention and disaster preparedness. Includes project and simulation-based field experiences. (Hybrid, 4 credits)
NUR305, Legal and Ethical Topics in Nursing
Overview of health policy, legislative and regulatory guidelines, Nurse Practice Act, and legal and ethical concepts that impact the practice of professional nursing. Focus on ethical decision-making models. (Online, 3 credits)
NUR401, Systems-Based Thinking in Nursing
Overview of systems-based thinking in nursing and its role in improving the quality and safety of patient care. Focus on coordination of healthcare systems components to address complex issues and deliver optimal care. (Online, 3 credits)
NUR402, Healthcare Technology and Informatics
Exploration of various modalities and integration of healthcare technology and Informatics to manage and communicate data, advance health information literacy, and improve patient outcomes. Focus on components, applications, problem-solving, and data management strategies. (Online, 3 credits)
NUR403, Nursing Leadership and Management
Overview of leadership qualities, abilities, and personal style, including strengths and challenges. Focus on understanding the difference between management and leadership. Emphasis on communication and transparency in management and leadership. (Online, 3 credits)
NUR404, Advanced Nursing Capstone
Capstone project that provides the baccalaureate nursing student with the opportunity to assess, identify, propose, and present an evidence-based project that addresses an issue significant to nursing practice. The project will synthesize knowledge from coursework and experience. The capstone project will be under the guidance and in collaboration with program faculty and a preceptor from the facility or entity. (Hybrid, 4 credits)
- The application process is open to any RN who holds a current, unrestricted license. The license must remain current and unrestricted throughout program enrollment.
- When reviewing and awarding credit for pre-and co-requisite coursework for general education courses, the official transcripts will need to be submitted, reviewed, and accepted for transfer.
- General education courses will need to have been completed from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education. If a course does not transfer, the student may need to complete the course concurrently with their RN to BSN program of study. This only applies to general education courses, as the RN license will be accepted for the pre-licensure nursing core courses.
Download the Handbook Download the Healthcare Student Handbook
To begin, you will need your RN License Number and expiration date, documentation of your Fingerprint Clearance Card, and official transcripts.
Additional Nursing Programs
The Paramedic to AAS Degree in Nursing Bridge Program is a transition course that will provide paramedics with the theory and clinical competencies to successfully progress in their nursing education.
The Veterans and LPN Refresher Bridge Course offered at GateWay Community College (GWCC) is a 12-credit program designed to allow the Veteran student who has a military healthcare designation, or an LPN Refresher student, to earn a certificate of completion in Practical Nursing and meet the criteria to test for the NCLEX-PN.
The Bridge Course also meets the requirements of the AZ State Board of Nursing for LPNs requiring a refresher program. LPN students attending for the refresher program (not for Veteran students using this for transition) must have a temporary practical nursing license to attend clinical. Please contact a GWCC nursing advisor for more information.
This program offers an update of current principles of nursing theory and clinical skills for RNs returning to active nursing in a medical-surgical or specialty healthcare setting. Nursing pathways include medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and psychiatric/mental health care. Concepts of caring, holism, critical thinking, and nursing process to provide safe nursing care for clients and their families. Application of professional nursing principles and theories related to health education and promotion for culturally diverse clients and families.
The Medication Assistant course is for those who are currently a Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Nursing Assistant. During this 4-credit course, students will learn how to administer select medications in addition to the role and scope of the medication assistant. Students interested in this program must have a minimum of 6 months of experience working as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Nursing Assistant.
The Bilingual Nursing Fellowship Program (BNFP) is designed to increase the number of nursing graduates who speak, read, and write English and Spanish fluently. BNFP is a collaboration between Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College.
These courses are for LPNs or RNs and new graduates looking to upskill in a high acuity area. Currently, courses are offered periodically at GateWay Community College, Mesa Community College, and Paradise Valley Community College with other colleges looking at offering these and other specialty courses in the near future.
The Patient Care Technician (NCE221) course prepares students with skills incorporating critical thinking case studies and using evidenced-based research for bedside patient care.
The Psychiatric Technician (NCE 103) general overview course reviews mental health disorders, treatment facilities, and treatment methods.
For more information on the PCT and BHT courses at Mesa Red Mountain Campus, contact kathleen.mead@mesacc.edu.
Accreditation Information
MaricopaNursing is fully accredited. See our accreditation information here.