NURSING PROGRAM 

OVERVIEW

The Phoenix College Nursing Program is part of MaricopaNursing, a consortium of Maricopa Community College Nursing Programs. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of in-patient and out-patient settings. Students enrolled rotate through health care facilities. Nursing students work directly with patients, nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals and receive hands-on experience in all major specialty areas in community agencies, long-term care facilities, and hospitals.

Program Degree and Certificates

In this program you can earn the following:

    •    Associate in Applied Science (Career Program Specified)- Nursing
    •    Certificate of Completion - Nurse Assisting

Students who are planning to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing may obtain their prerequisite courses at Phoenix College. For information on courses that meet requirements for admission into a baccalaureate program, please contact a program advisor.

Eligibility for Licensure

Completion of the nursing curriculum and general education requirements prepares students to take the national licensure exam and apply for licensure as registered nurses.  Completion of the nurse assisting curriculum and general education requirement prepares students to take the Nurse Assistant State Board Exam. Students who complete the program are eligible to take a written and practical certification examination and work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Licensing requirements are the exclusive responsibility of the State Board of Nursing.

Career Overview

A Registered Nurse is a licensed health care professional who provides clinical, therapeutic, and educational services to the public. As part of their job responsibilities Registered Nurses may assess patient health problems and needs; develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records; administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients; and advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management.

Nurse Assistants are vital members of the health care team and provide basic care to patients such as feeding, grooming, and moving, under the direction of nursing staff. The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Nurse Assisting prepares students for entry level employment in various health care settings as a nursing assistant. The program combines classroom instruction with clinical laboratory, skilled care and acute care experiences.

Employment Outlook

Employment is found in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, physician offices, home health care agencies, nursing care facilities, and outpatient care centers.

In Arizona, RN positions are expected to increase more than 20% in the next 10 years. Nationally, RNs have reported earning an hourly range of $21.24 to $45.74 for an annual salary range of $44,190 to $95,130.

Overall employment of nursing aides is expected to increase 19 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. This is due in a large part to the high increase in long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population. Nationally, nurse assistants reported earning a median wage between $9.71 and $13.76.