Nurses work hard, think critically, and adapt to a multitude of challenges they face from day to day. It is no wonder the profession has held its position at the top of most trusted professions for close to a decade. Nurses are flexible, passionate, committed, caring, and smart. They are all things to all patients and provide just what individual patients need to recover from acute or chronic illnesses. These traits are not developed in a nursing education program, but they may be fined tuned to meet the demands of the health care industry. If you’ve found a passion in caring for others and want to jump right in, the Associate Degree in Nursing program provides a great start. You’ll learn the foundational skills to provide competent and safe care to culturally diverse clients and their families. You’ll also learn how critical it is to continue your education to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing or higher to take a more active role in patient care. Whether you’re at the entry-level of nursing or at the top as an administrator or director of care, you’ll have the satisfaction of making decisions that impact the lives of patients and their families for the better.
University of Alaska Anchorage
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing offered at the University of Alaska Anchorage provides a comprehensive training in the nursing process, giving students the ability to provide effective nursing services to clients in inpatient and outpatient settings. The program provides a blend of theory in the classroom and clinical activities at local health care facilities. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to practice nursing. They will be prepared to deliver patient care in acute care settings, communicate verbally in writing and electronically with health team members and patients, plan, implement and evaluate care, coordinate care of small groups, and develop a plan for lifelong learning and continuing professional development. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Program Outline
Semester credits: 68
Duration: 4 semesters
Course titles:
Pre-major nursing courses – Anatomy & Physiology I, Life Span Development, Introduction to Composition, Communication, English Composition, Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology, Nutrition for Health Sciences, College Mathematics or Quantitative Skills
Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Adult Nursing I, Basic Nursing Pharmacology, Perinatal Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Concepts of Adult Nursing, Adult Nursing II, Psychiatric Nursing, Transition to Professional Nursing, Intensive Clinical Practicum
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old at the start of the program
- Attend a group Information Session at the College of Health Advising – where possible
- Meet with a Nursing Academic Advisor to verify course completion and GPA
- Apply for admission to UA – provide high school/GED and college transcripts with evaluations from Enrollment Services
- Transcripts must indicate completion of prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher – High school or college Biology, High school or college chemistry, high school intermediate algebra or MATH A105 or Quantitative Skills GER
- Must have a minimum UAA cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to be eligible for ranking
- Submit a School of Nursing Digital Application – indicate campus of choice on the application
- Take and pass the ATI TEAS exam
- Provide documentation of immunization – MMR confirmed by titer, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Varicella, Tdap, influenza
- Provide documentation indicating freedom from TB – a documented annual PPD skin test or health exam
- Must have current health care provider certification in CPR for infants, children and adults
- Submit the results of a national-level criminal background check
- Must have professional liability insurance
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $234 per credit hours for resident students and $800 per credit hour for non-residents. Other costs include fees, textbooks, uniforms, drug screen, insurance, and background check. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/
Address: 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-1800
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.5%
Charter College in Anchorage
Charter College Anchorage facilitates an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program (ASN) to graduates who will fill the demand for nurses in Anchorage and throughout Alaska. The program is delivered in blended format so students will complete part of the requirements online. The curriculum covers 1570 contact hours and emphasizes medical surgical nursing and other specialty areas such as pediatric nursing, obstetric, mental health, psychiatric, and gerontology. Students are expected to complete the out-of-class activities which amount to 2 hours for every class lecture and one hour for every lab hour. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. The Nursing program is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing and accredited by the ACEN.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 108
Contact hours: 1570
Duration: 19 months
Course titles:
General education courses – Human Growth and Development, Sociology of the Family, College Mathematics, Written and Oral Communication Practices, Ethical Principles Across Societies, Microbiology
Core Courses – Fundamentals of Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing Lab, Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical, Pharmacology for Nursing, Pharmacology for Nursing Lab, Pharmacology for Nursing Clinical, Gerontological Nursing and Community Health, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Medical Surgical Nursing I Lab, Medical Surgical Nursing I Clinical, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Medical Surgical Nursing II Lab, Medical Surgical Nursing II Clinical, Maternal Child Nursing, Maternal Child Nursing Lab, Maternal Child Nursing Clinical, Pediatric Nursing, Pediatric Nursing Lab, Pediatric Nursing Clinical, Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing Lab, Mental Health Nursing Clinical, Leadership and Management Clinical, NCLEX Review, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have completed high school or the GED equivalent
- Take and pass the TEAS entrance exam with a composite score of 60 or greater – only two attempts per admission period
- Take and pass a background check administered by a third-party vendor – passing means no criminal convictions as defined by the Alaska Board of Nursing Statutes
- Provide a letter from the State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services stating Eligible Determination for Association
- Provide a federal approved photo ID
- Provide documentation of immunization – MMR confirmed by titer, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, influenza
- Provide documentation indicating freedom from TB – a documented annual PPD skin test or health exam
- Submit a completed Medical Attestation Form – signed by a Medical Provider and applicant
- Submit a completed Core Performance Standards Form
- Provide a negative 10-panel drug screen prior to the first day of classes
- Attend an interview with the Dean of Nursing or designee
- Provide written consent to allow information sharing with the clinical partners
- Must have current health care provider certification in CPR for infants, children and adults
- Must have medical insurance
Program Cost:
Apart from tuition, students must cover the costs of textbooks, uniforms, supplies, medical insurance, CPR certification, background check, and drug screen. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.chartercollege.edu/
Address: 2221 East Northern Lights Blvd #120, Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 277-1000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A
Alaska Pacific University
Alaska Pacific University offers an Associate Degree in Nursing Program that meets the healthcare workforce needs of Alaska. The curriculum includes theory and practical instruction in general and specialized nursing courses. Students will acquire the foundational skills needed to provide culturally safe, holistic care for Alaska Natives, Indigenous peoples, and other under-served populations across Alaska. At the conclusion of the program, students will be prepared to meet educational, professional, and community-driven goals. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a registered. New students will be admitted once a year in the Fall semester. The program is offered on a full-time basis only.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 72
Duration: 18 months (3 semesters)
Course titles:
Pre-nursing courses – Principles of Biology, Principles of Biology II, Principles of Chemistry I, Human Anatomy and Physiology, College Algebra for Health Sciences, Behavioral Sciences for Healthcare Professionals, Writing & Research I: Argumentation, Culturally Safe Healthcare: Inquiry & Practice
Core Courses – Culturally Safe Nursing Practice Fundamentals, Inquiry & Lab, Fundamentals of Pathopharmacology, Culturally Safe Nursing Practice I: Introduction to Concepts & Theory, Culturally Safe Nursing Practice II: Critical Thinking and Evidence Evaluation, Culturally Safe Nursing Practice III: Critical Thinking and Evidence Integration, Culturally Safe Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing Practice, Holistic Care of the Chronically Ill: Inquiry & Practicum, Culturally Safe Nursing Practice IV: Critical Thinking and Synthesis of Evidence, Holistic Care of the Critically Ill: Inquiry and Practicum, Holistic Care of the Acutely Ill: Inquiry and Practicum, Holistic Care of Parents and Newborns: Inquiry and Practicum, Transition to Registered Nursing Practice: Inquiry and Practicum
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have completed high school or the GED equivalent
- Must apply to the BS in Health Sciences program initially indicating interest in the pre-nursing concentration
- Apply for an internal transfer to the ADN program
- Complete the pre-nursing courses with a grade C or better
- Obtain a clear criminal background check in compliance with TCPA standards
- Obtain a negative drug test of all federally controlled substances
- Complete the mandatory training for compliance with Federal HIPAA
- Complete mandatory training for compliance with OSHA administration requirements
- Must have current BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association or other approved providers
- Submit results of current physical screening with a health provider to confirm the ability to participate in clinical activities
- Submit negative TB screen
- Submit evidence of requirements immunizations – MMR confirmed by titer, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, influenza
- Must have medical insurance
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $20,350 per year for students completing 12 to 18 credits per semester. Financial aid is available for eligible studies.
Website: https://www.alaskapacific.edu/
Address: 4101 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: 1 (800) 252 7528
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A