Nursing, AAS
Central Arizona College’s Registered Nursing Program prepares students for the medical workforce or to complete further education to specialize in clinical practice, teaching, or administration.
Program Information
About Nursing Program
Our mission is:
- ·Teaching safe, evidenced-based practice
- ·Reaching out to a culturally diverse population within our community
- ·Understanding trends in nursing education and health care dynamics
- ·Empowering student learning through the use of innovation and technology
The program course sequence begins for new students each Fall and Spring semester. Class size is limited, making entrance into the CAC Nursing Program highly competitive. Those interested in additional information or an application to the program can attend a Nursing Information Session.
APPLICATION AND ADMISSION INFORMATION
Application and Advising Process:
- Attend a Nursing Information Session to obtain an application, which is held monthly (except summer).
- Meet with an Advisor and develop a Master Academic Plan (MAP)[PDF]; signed by an Advisor. (Bring to advising meeting unofficial copies of all your transcripts.)
- Send official transcripts to Central Arizona College’s registrar.
- Take HESI entrance exams at a Central Arizona College’s testing center .
- Meet all criteria: GPA 2.75; BIO201/202 taken within the last 5 years; Pass HESI exam, AZ LPN or LNA; Eligibility to register for ENG101 and MAT141.
Turn Application Packet in by Deadline:
- RN Traditional Track Application Points Form
- Application Advisor MAP [PDF]– signed by an Advisor
- HESI exam taken at Central Arizona College
- LNA or LPN proof
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended (including Central Arizona College)
- Bring packet to W110 at SPC campus, mail certified, or email application to nursing@centralaz.edu
Past student have used study resource: HESI A2 Practice Exam app, and Nursehub
Deadlines:
- March 1st, 6:00 pm for Fall term
- June 15, 6:00 pm for Spring term
- If the dates above fall on Friday or the weekend, the deadline date would be the following Monday
Nursing Information Session(s)
- Topic: RN- AAS Traditional Nursing Information Session Zoom Meeting
- Time: 3:00PM – 3:45PM
- No registration or sign up necessary. Meeting ID: 96995347100
(Last session before the Bridge February 15th Application Deadline)
- Topic: LPN to RN Bridge Nursing Information Session Zoom Meeting
- Time: 4:00PM- 4:45PM
- No registration or sign up necessary. Meeting ID: 93482601275
(Last session before the Traditional RN-AAS March 1st Application Deadline)
- Topic: RN- AAS Traditional Nursing Information Session Zoom Meeting
- Time: 3:00PM – 3:45PM
- No registration or sign up necessary. Meeting ID: 98680866603
- Topic: LPN to RN Bridge Nursing Information Session Zoom Meeting
- Time: 4:00PM- 4:45PM
- No registration or sign up necessary. Meeting ID: 97821849640
- Topic: RN- AAS Traditional Nursing Information Session Zoom Meeting
- Time: 3:00PM – 3:45PM
- No registration or sign up necessary. Meeting ID: 93327278369
- Topic: LPN to RN Bridge Nursing Information Session Zoom Meeting
- Time: 4:00PM- 4:45PM
- No registration or sign up necessary. Meeting ID: 98999117246
Nursing Student Handbook [PDF]
LPN to RN Bridge Program
The LPN to RN bridge program is for current Arizona LPNs with 1 or more year(s) of experience, looking to earn their AAS-RN degree. Successful completion of this course sequence provides the necessary education to sit for the Arizona Board of Nursing, NCLEX RN exam to become a registered nurse. The 2.5 semester course sequence begins for new students each Summer/Fall and Fall/Spring semesters. Class size is very limited, making entrance into the Central Arizona College LPN to RN Bridge Program is highly competitive. Those interested in additional information or an application to the program can attend a Nursing Information Session.
APPLICATION AND ADMISSION INFORMATION
Application and Advising Process:
- Attend a Nursing Information Session to obtain an application, which is held monthly (except summer).
- Meet with an Advisor and develop a Master Academic Plan (Advisor MAP) [PDF]; signed by an Advisor. (Bring to advising meeting unofficial copies of all your transcripts.)
- Send incoming official transcripts to Central Arizona College’s registrar.
- Schedule to take the NACE Foundations of Nursing Exam at Central Arizona College’s testing center.
- If BIO201 or BIO202 are older than 5 years, schedule to take the NLN-A&P Exam at Central Arizona College’s testing center.
- Meet all criteria: GPA 2.75; BIO201/202 taken and passed within the last 5 years; if not include copy of passing score (67% or higher) on the NLN-A&P Exam; Pass the NACE Foundations of Nursing Exam with a 67% or better, Current AZ LPN with a minimum of 1 year(s) experience; ENG101 (3cr.), ENG102 (3cr.) Mat 141or higher (4cr.), PSY101(3cr.)
Turn Application Packet in by Deadline:
- LPN to RN Bridge Program Application Points Form
- Application Advisor MAP [PDF]- signed by an Advisor
- NACE Foundations of Nursing Exam taken at Central Arizona College
- NLN – A&P Exam taken at Central Arizona College (if BIO201 or BIO202 are older than 5 years.)
- Proof of Arizona LPN Licensure
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended (including Central Arizona College)
Deadlines:
- February 15th , 6:00 pm for Summer/ Fall term
- June 1st, 6:00 pm for Fall/ Spring term
If the dates above fall on Friday or the weekend, the deadline date would be the following Monday.
Nursing Information Session
Monthly Date and Link to the Zoom Nursing Information Sessions are located on the Nursing Program Information tab.
CNA Program
All seats are taken for Spring 2025 CNA125 course offerings.
We hope to offer a CNA125 section at the Superstition Mountain Campus (SMC) for summer session. Please monitor this webpage for registration links once the college summer registration opens.
All CNA125 course registrations are done through registration links that will be provided on this webpage.
Signal Peak Campus (SPC)
- FULL (SPC) CNA125- Saturdays 25SP3958
Maricopa Campus (MAR)
- FULL (MAR) CNA125-Fridays 25SP3957
San Tan Campus (STC)
- FULL (STC) CNA125- Fridays 25SP3955
Registration is on a first come first served basis. All financial obligations to the College must be settled prior to applying. All required documents must be attached and the application complete in order to be considered. (Seats available listed is not a true representation of available seats.)
Alternative approved training programs can be found on the Arizona Board of Nursing website.
Nursing Assistant
The Nursing Assistant Program is designed to prepare students to be eligible for Nursing Assistant certification (CNA) or licensing (LNA) through the Arizona State Board of Nursing and, upon examination, to practice in a health care agency as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Nursing Assistant. With a LNA, the student is eligible to apply to enter into the CAC Nursing Program.
Nurse Assisting involves the performance of routine tasks in the general care of hospital, clinic, and skilled care patients. Nursing Assistants work directly under the supervision of practical and registered nurses, assisting licensed staff in providing quality nursing care. This occupation is one of many possible steps on a career ladder in the healthcare field. Nursing Assistants are vital members of the healthcare team.
Potential employers include hospitals, residential care facilities, and patient homes.
Classes are offered at the following locations at various times throughout the year:
Signal Peak Campus-SPC
Maricopa Campus- MAR
San Tan Campus- STC
Student Preview Information – required registration documents must be submitted at the time of registering for CNA125:
(Please note, Dual Enrollment High School Students do not need these forms to register for CNA125 Dual Enrollment / off Campus High School Site course offerings)
- ·Students must have passed MAT 082 or test out of MAT 082; and passed RDG 100 or test out of RDG 100
- ·High School Diploma, official/signed high school transcript, or GED
- ·PLP (proof of legal presence) – Birth Certificate, Passport, Permanent Resident Card, or Employment Authorization, etc.
- ·Driver’s License (copy front and back) or State ID
- ·Keep copies of all the above documents
STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A WELCOME EMAIL VIA THEIR CAC STUDENT EMAIL BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER AFTER REGISTRATION
EMAILS will include information on:
- ·Registration information for Complio / American Databank (Background Check, Drug Testing, and Immunization Tracking); Check student email for information on starting Background Check and Drug Test.
- ·Immunizations Requirements [PDF] click here: MMR, Varicella, TB (2-step), Tdap, HEP B, Flu Vaccine (current season).
- ·CPR (American Heart Association BLS) click here –
- ·Proof of Health Insurance –
- ·Functional Ability Statement Form [PDF] click here (Physical) Health Care Provider Signature required; sent with Preview Letter
- ·CNA Orientation (prior to the first day of class)
CNA Orientation will include:
- ·Lab and Clinical requirements (Scrubs – Hunter green top and bottoms, Black shoes required); wear first day of class
- ·mCE (my Clinical Exchange) instructions (mCE is the immunizations’ upload site for clinical rotations)
- ·Other Costs [PDF] (Books, Testing, and License) associated with the CNA125 class
CNA Student-Immunization, CPR, & Insurance Requirements [PDF] click here
PASS RATES:
ARIZONA | CAC | CNA/LNA | ARIZONA | CAC | CNA/LNA | |
2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |
#Testers | Written | Skills | #Testers | Written | Skills | |
CAC | 71 | 88.3% | 77.3% | 2 | 100% | 50% |
AZ |
Contact Information
Jean Halloran
Nursing Program Assistant
Phone: 520-494-5330
nursing@centralaz.edu
Nicole Block
Certified Nursing Program Assistant Coordinator
Phone: 520-494-5332
cna@centralaz.edu
Jocelyn Nelms
Nursing Division Director
Phone: 520-494-5334
nursing@centralaz.edu
Career & Transfer Resources
Transfer Center
Many students who start their college career at Central Arizona College plan to continue on for a bachelor’s degree. If you plan to transfer, our Transfer Center has many resources to help you make the most of your time at CAC and plan for a smooth and successful transfer.
Career Center
The Career Center is where students can find up-to-date resources in career assessment, resume development, interview preparation, and internships and more.
Accreditation
Central Arizona College’s Nursing Program is dedicated to being the leader of nursing education in central Arizona. We offer state of the art classrooms, simulation labs, and clinical opportunities in Pinal and Maricopa counties.
The Associate degree nursing program at Central Arizona College located in Coolidge Arizona is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. —
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
The Nursing Program at Central Arizona College is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.
Arizona State Board of Nursing | 1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 2000, Phoenix, AZ 85007 | www.azbn.gov | (602) 889-5150
Central Arizona College program’s NCLEX-RN pass rates and Job Placement rates:
NCLEX-RN results for first-time CAC graduates test takers:
2023 – 89.19%
2022 – 86.96%
2021 – 90.57%
2020 – 97.37%
2019 – 97.22%
2018 – 92.00%
2017 – 83.33%
COMPLETION Rates for CAC Nursing Graduates:
2022 – 100%
2016 – 72%
2015 – 86%
2014 – 86%
Graduates obtaining a Job (based on Students’ Post Graduate Surveys):
2022 – 100%
2021 – 100%
2019 – 100%
2018 – 94%
2017 – 90%
Related Occupations
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.