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Nursing

Program Description

Pre-Nursing Information Sessions / Important Program Announcements

HESI A2 Testing Update

Students - All HESI A2 exam requests must now be scheduled in person at the AWC Testing Center. Please refer to our Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2) Procedure located under Program Documents. Students residing outside of Yuma, AZ may request to complete the exam through Proctor U.

Nursing Information Sessions:

It is MANDATORY that ALL students applying for the Nursing Program attend a Nursing Information Session.

Pre-Nursing Information sessions will be offered in person only. The schedule is listed below. You will only be able to attend via zoom if you live outside of Yuma County. You must contact our office ahead of time and request a zoom link prior to the date of the session you choose to attend.

Pre-Nursing Information Sessions -Fall 2025

  • Monday 11/3/2025 at 3:00 pm - AWC Main Campus room LR 250
  • Monday 11/17/2025 at 3:00 pm - AWC Main Campus room LR 250
  • Monday 12/8/2025 at 3:00 pm - AWC Main Campus room LR 250

There is no registration required to attend these sessions

Spring 2026 Schedule TBA

Important Changes for Students Accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program - Spring 2026

Starting with the 2025–2026 academic year, Arizona Western College (AWC) will implement changes to its Associate Degree in Nursing Program requirements. These updates will affect students applying to the Spring 2026 Nursing Program, depending on when they began their coursework at AWC.

Key Changes to the New Program and General Education Requirements:

  1. Additional Course of 2 credits is no longer accepted to meet the Associate Degree Nursing Program requirements.
  2. CIS 120 is no longer a recommended course to meet the Associate Degree Nursing Program requirements. 
  3. Students must now complete an approved 3-credit Institutions of the Americas course to meet general education requirements.

Why the change?

This change was made to align with the recent updates to the AGEC requirements. The Institutions of the Americas courses now fulfill the revised general education criteria under AGEC, helping ensure a smooth transfer process for students pursuing a university or baccalaureate degree

Which Requirements Apply to You?

Your required courses are determined by your catalog year, which is typically the academic year in which you began taking classes at AWC.

  • If you started courses at AWC before Fall 2025, you will follow the catalog from your starting year unless:
    1. You had a break in enrollment of three or more consecutive semesters, or
    2. You choose to adopt the new 2025–2026 catalog.

Students under a previous catalog year (before 2025–2026):

  • Do not need to take the Institutions of the Americas course
  • The Additional Course of 2 credits will be accepted to meet Associate Degree Nursing Program requirements.

Please Note: Students applying for Fall 2026 cohort will follow under the new Nursing Program requirements, regardless of the catalog year they started with.

Check the program announcement(s) above for any deadlines, information sessions, updates, etc.

The Nursing Program admitted its first students in September 1967 and received full accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) on September 24th, 1970. The Nursing Assistant program admitted its first students and received full approval from the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) in 1990.

The Nursing program prepares students with a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. The program curriculum offers an exit option at the Practical Nurse level following the third semester. Transfer students and Licensed Practical Nurses are admitted into the program based on published advanced placement requirements.

The faculty and staff include the Director of Nursing, nine full-time faculty, a Clinical Facilitator, a Lab Coordinator, a full-time Administrative Assistant, a part-time Administrative Assistant, and lab technicians. The program also employs local practicing nurses educated at the MSN and BSN levels as part-time clinical faculty to maintain a maximum of 1:10 faculty/student ratio in clinical practice. Students graduating from our program are eligible for licensing as either Registered Nurses (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).

The opportunities in nursing practice are more exciting and diverse than ever before. A variety of career and professional options await our graduates. The program also fosters academic partnerships providing graduates with a variety of options to pursue advanced degrees in Nursing.

Program Purpose
Graduates will demonstrate (1) knowledge and skills to provide safe care as an entry level nurse, (2) basic knowledge in nursing that will prepare them for the registered nurse licensure examination, and (3) competency in communication, critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and technological applications.

Mission
The faculty of the Department of Nursing upholds the mission of Arizona Western College by supporting educational and lifelong learning needs of the community through innovative partnerships. The faculty is dedicated to (1) providing excellence in nursing education and practice, (2) Incorporating changes aimed at current and emerging healthcare trends with a focus on the rural southwest. (Reaffirmed:11/13)

Approval and Accreditation

The Program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing
1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-771-7800
www.azbn.gov

The Associate of Applied Science Degree nursing program at Arizona Western College located in Yuma, AZ 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 of Applied Science Degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Logo

Program Outcomes

Pre-Nursing Information Sessions / Important Program Announcements

HESI A2 Testing Update

Students - All HESI A2 exam requests must now be scheduled in person at the AWC Testing Center. Please refer to our Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2) Procedure located under Program Documents. Students residing outside of Yuma, AZ may request to complete the exam through Proctor U.

Nursing Information Sessions:

It is MANDATORY that ALL students applying for the Nursing Program attend a Nursing Information Session.

Pre-Nursing Information sessions will be offered in person only. The schedule is listed below. You will only be able to attend via Zoom if you live outside of Yuma County. You must contact our office ahead of time and request a Zoom link prior to the date of the session you choose to attend.

Pre-Nursing Information Sessions - Fall 2025

  • Monday 11/3/2025 at 3:00 pm - AWC Main Campus room LR 250
  • Monday 11/17/2025 at 3:00 pm - AWC Main Campus room LR 250
  • Monday 12/8/2025 at 3:00 pm - AWC Main Campus room LR 250

There is no registration required to attend these sessions

Spring 2026 Schedule TBA

Due Date(s)

Nursing Program (Including LPN/Advanced Placement) Please Note: Our office has changed locations. We are now located in LR 088
Spring 2026
Due September 1st, 2025

Please Note: If you are wanting to submit the application In-Person to the Nursing Office (LR 088) you must submit it by 4:30 pm on Thursday August 28, 2025.

If you are not able to drop your application off in person, you can still mail it as long as it is post marked by September 1, 2025

Fall 2026

Due March 1st, 2026

Readmission Requests
Spring 2026

Due September 1, 2025

For current Nursing students enrolled in the nursing program for Fall 2025 it will be
Due December 4th by noon

Concurrent Enrollment

Nursing Program Documents

File Name Downloads
Application & Admission Information
*Applications will not be reviewed at the time of delivery		 Download
LPN Advanced Placement Information & Application
Use this application if you are currently licensed as a LPN.		 Download
Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2) Download

Student Guide and Forms

File Name Downloads
Nursing Student Guide Download
Readmission Form Download
Petition for Instructional Issues Download
Practical Nursing Exit Download
Transition to PN Competency Download

Check the above for any necessary program documents.

Nursing Program Costs Estimate

Program Cost Estimate
Course Tuition**
The total number of course credits included in the Nursing Curriculum plan: 66		 66 credits x $100.00 = $6,600 (Resident status)
Course Fees $1,530 per semester x 4: $6,120
Textbooks (core nursing classes only) $1,100
Uniform & Equipment
(Purchased at the beginning of the first semester)		 Uniform, Program badge, Stethoscope: $60
White shoes (Cost will vary based on personal preference)
Watch indicating seconds
Health & Safety Requirements
(Cost will vary and includes a Fingerprint Clearance Card, Drug Screen, CPR, and Mask Fit Test)		 $325
Graduation Fee $15
Total Estimated Cost of AWC Nursing Program: $14,220
RN Licensing Fees
State Board Fee $300.00
Fingerprint Cost $50.00
NCLEX Exam Fee $200.00
Total RN Licensing Fees $550.00
   
NCLEX Review
(Included in Course Fees)		 Prices range from $225.00 to $618.00

*All fees are subject to change.
** This estimate includes only courses included in the Nursing Program Curriculum plan.

Check the above to view the program cost estimate. All fees are subject to change.

Have questions about this program?

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Degree(s) / Certificates(s)

Title Local Bachelor's
Nursing - A.A.S. Occupational Degree

Career Outlook

Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.

Description

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Duties/Tasks
  • Perform emergency medical procedures, such as basic cardiac life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and other condition-stabilizing interventions.
  • Manage patients' pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, monitoring patients' responses, and changing care plans accordingly.
  • Document data related to patients' care, including assessment results, interventions, medications, patient responses, or treatment changes.
  • Diagnose acute or chronic conditions that could result in rapid physiological deterioration or life-threatening instability.
  • Administer blood and blood product transfusions or intravenous infusions, monitoring patients for adverse reactions.
  • Assess urgent and emergent health conditions, using both physiologically and technologically derived data.
  • Assess the impact of illnesses or injuries on patients' health, function, growth, development, nutrition, sleep, rest, quality of life, or family, social and educational relationships.
  • Interpret information obtained from electrocardiograms (EKGs) or radiographs (x-rays).
  • Adjust settings on patients' assistive devices, such as temporary pacemakers.
  • Prescribe medications and observe patients' reactions, modifying prescriptions as needed.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$81,600
Entry Level Salary
$60,750
Mid Level Salary
$78,260
Expert Level Salary
$100,200
Average Hourly Wage
$39.23
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$29.21
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$37.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$48.18
Typical Education Level

Associates Degree

Learn more about the Acute Care Nurses career from PipelineAZ

Description

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

Duties/Tasks
  • Evaluate patients' vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs.
  • Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions.
  • Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
  • Monitor patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
  • Prioritize nursing care for assigned critically ill patients, based on assessment data or identified needs.
  • Compile and analyze data obtained from monitoring or diagnostic tests.
  • Conduct pulmonary assessments to identify abnormal respiratory patterns or breathing sounds that indicate problems.
  • Assess patients' pain levels or sedation requirements.
  • Collaborate with other health care professionals to develop and revise treatment plans, based on identified needs and assessment data.
  • Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$81,600
Entry Level Salary
$60,750
Mid Level Salary
$78,260
Expert Level Salary
$100,200
Average Hourly Wage
$39.23
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$29.21
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$37.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$48.18
Typical Education Level

Bachelors Degree

Learn more about the Critical Care Nurses career from PipelineAZ

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Duties/Tasks
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Supervise laboratory sessions.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as public health, stress management, and work site health promotion.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$125,370
Entry Level Salary
$49,030
Mid Level Salary
$99,100
Expert Level Salary
N/A
Average Hourly Wage
N/A
Entry Level Hourly Wage
N/A
Mid Level Hourly Wage
N/A
Expert Level Hourly Wage
N/A
Typical Education Level

Masters Degree

Learn more about the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary career from PipelineAZ

Description

Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

Duties/Tasks
  • Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
  • Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
  • Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
  • Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
  • Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
  • Supervise nurses' aides or assistants.
  • Evaluate nursing intervention outcomes, conferring with other healthcare team members as necessary.
  • Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement interventions.
  • Provide medical treatment or personal care to patients in private home settings, such as cooking, keeping rooms orderly, seeing that patients are comfortable and in good spirits, or instructing family members in simple nursing tasks.
  • Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$57,800
Entry Level Salary
$46,930
Mid Level Salary
$59,490
Expert Level Salary
$66,890
Average Hourly Wage
$27.79
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$22.56
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$28.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$32.16
Typical Education Level

Some College Courses

Learn more about the Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses career from PipelineAZ

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Duties/Tasks
  • Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
  • Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
  • Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
  • Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
  • Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
  • Establish work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability.
  • Monitor the use of diagnostic services, inpatient beds, facilities, and staff to ensure effective use of resources and assess the need for additional staff, equipment, and services.
  • Direct or conduct recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel.
  • Manage change in integrated health care delivery systems, such as work restructuring, technological innovations, and shifts in the focus of care.
  • Maintain communication between governing boards, medical staff, and department heads by attending board meetings and coordinating interdepartmental functioning.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$117,420
Entry Level Salary
$60,010
Mid Level Salary
$99,900
Expert Level Salary
$199,930
Average Hourly Wage
$56.45
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$28.85
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$48.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$96.12
Typical Education Level

Bachelors Degree

Learn more about the Medical and Health Services Managers career from PipelineAZ

Description

Provide prenatal care and childbirth assistance.

Duties/Tasks
  • Monitor maternal condition during labor by checking vital signs, monitoring uterine contractions, or performing physical examinations.
  • Identify tubal and ectopic pregnancies and refer patients for treatments.
  • Provide necessary medical care for infants at birth, including emergency care such as resuscitation.
  • Conduct ongoing prenatal health assessments, tracking changes in physical and emotional health.
  • Monitor fetal growth and well-being through heartbeat detection, body measurement, and palpation.
  • Establish and follow emergency or contingency plans for mothers and newborns.
  • Identify, monitor, or treat pregnancy-related problems such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, pre-term labor, or retarded fetal growth.
  • Obtain complete health and medical histories from patients including medical, surgical, reproductive, or mental health histories.
  • Evaluate patients' laboratory and medical records, requesting assistance from other practitioners when necessary.
  • Maintain documentation of all patients' contacts, reviewing and updating records as necessary.
  • Assess the status of post-date pregnancies to determine treatments and interventions.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$65,450
Entry Level Salary
$29,530
Mid Level Salary
$59,320
Expert Level Salary
$99,770
Average Hourly Wage
$31.47
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$14.20
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$28.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$47.97
Typical Education Level

Post Secondary Certificate

Learn more about the Midwives career from PipelineAZ

Description

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

Duties/Tasks
  • Manage patients' airway or pulmonary status, using techniques such as endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, respiratory therapy, and extubation.
  • Respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administering emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.
  • Monitor patients' responses, including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output, using invasive and noninvasive techniques.
  • Select, order, or administer anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids or blood products as necessary.
  • Select, prepare, or use equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics.
  • Assess patients' medical histories to predict anesthesia response.
  • Perform or manage regional anesthetic techniques, such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks and intravenous blocks.
  • Develop anesthesia care plans.
  • Obtain informed consent from patients for anesthesia procedures.
  • Prepare prescribed solutions and administer local, intravenous, spinal, or other anesthetics, following specified methods and procedures.
  • Perform pre-anesthetic screenings, including physical evaluations and patient interviews, and document results.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$142,250
Entry Level Salary
$76,910
Mid Level Salary
$166,060
Expert Level Salary
N/A
Average Hourly Wage
$68.39
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$36.98
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$79.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
N/A
Typical Education Level

Doctoral Degree

Learn more about the Nurse Anesthetists career from PipelineAZ

Description

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

Duties/Tasks
  • Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
  • Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
  • Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
  • Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
  • Diagnose or treat complex, unstable, comorbid, episodic, or emergency conditions in collaboration with other health care providers as necessary.
  • Prescribe medication dosages, routes, and frequencies, based on such patient characteristics as age and gender.
  • Diagnose or treat chronic health care problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
  • Prescribe medications based on efficacy, safety, and cost as legally authorized.
  • Recommend diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, adherence, and efficacy.
  • Detect and respond to adverse drug reactions, with special attention to vulnerable populations such as infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, or older adults.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$119,910
Entry Level Salary
$95,850
Mid Level Salary
$121,070
Expert Level Salary
$162,820
Average Hourly Wage
$57.65
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$46.08
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$58.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$78.28
Typical Education Level

Masters Degree

Learn more about the Nurse Practitioners career from PipelineAZ

Description

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Duties/Tasks
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory and clinic work, assignments, and papers.
  • Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Assess clinical education needs and patient and client teaching needs using a variety of methods.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as pharmacology, mental health nursing, and community health care practices.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Demonstrate patient care in clinical units of hospitals.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$74,240
Entry Level Salary
$60,410
Mid Level Salary
$63,670
Expert Level Salary
$101,350
Average Hourly Wage
N/A
Entry Level Hourly Wage
N/A
Mid Level Hourly Wage
N/A
Expert Level Hourly Wage
N/A
Typical Education Level

Masters Degree

Learn more about the Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary career from PipelineAZ

Description

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. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

Duties/Tasks
  • Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
  • Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
  • Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
  • Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
  • Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
  • Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
  • Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
  • Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
  • Perform administrative or managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit's staff, budget, planning, or long-range goals.
  • Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$81,600
Entry Level Salary
$60,750
Mid Level Salary
$78,260
Expert Level Salary
$100,200
Average Hourly Wage
$39.23
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$29.21
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$37.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$48.18
Typical Education Level

Bachelors Degree

Learn more about the Registered Nurses career from PipelineAZ

Classroom/Lab Tour

Student nurses can get hands on training in simulation scenarios that will strengthen their clinical judgement in their career field.

Contact Information

Department Contact(s)

Nursing

Hours of Operation
  • Normal Hours
  • Monday - Thursday: 7:00am-12:00pm
  • Monday - Thursday: 12:30pm - 5:00pm

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