If you would like to pursue a career in nursing and you live in Phoenix, you'll have many nursing schools in Arizona to choose from. There are also some amazing benefits to living there. This capital city offers more nursing programs than any other city in the state.
Exercising Your Options
Phoenix offers a full spectrum of nursing programs, from trade and tech schools to a large community college system and university nursing degrees. With so many options, you can find the right program that works best with your schedule and budget. If you don't want to commit to the time and expense of a four year university degree all at once, consider a practical nursing program first. If you complete your practical nursing training and become a licensed LPN, and you decide to go back to school to earn an associate or bachelor of science degree in nursing, you can earn while you learn.
24 States for the Price of One
If you stay in Arizona and take your nursing license exam there, it will be your original state of licensure, providing you with a "compact" license. With this license, as long as you maintain your permanent residence in Arizona, you'll automatically have privileges to practice nursing in all 24 states of the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement without further paperwork or fees. This is a huge advantage if you want to work as a travel nurse. These opportunities fill so quickly that candidates usually need to already have a license in the state where the job is located in order to have a shot at the position.
If you should move out of the state, your Arizona license reverts back to a single state license; however, if you move to another compact state, you'll enjoy a 30-day grace period on your Arizona license, pending licensure in your new state. You may never need it, but having a compact nursing license offers great benefits.
Fair Weather Ahead
Other benefits of earning your nursing degree in Phoenix include an abundance of affordable housing, especially in the summer when the "snowbird" retirees vacate the state. And no matter the time of year, you'll never have to worry about missing classes or clinicals because of snow or icy weather. You'll also work with a great diversity of patients, from Phoenix's large retiree community to its immigrant population.
If you already live in Arizona, Phoenix is an easy and obvious choice for completing your nurse training. But even if you live elsewhere, consider one of the nursing schools in Arizona and the fair weather Phoenix offers when you're ready to start your new career.
Photo Source: Flickr
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