---
title: "Pioneering Night Clinicals: How AZCN and Banner Health Are Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/pioneering-night-clinicals-arizona-college-of-nursing-and-banner-health/"
type: post
date_published: 2025-09-12
date_modified: 2025-12-02
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 1186
reading_time: 6 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/pioneering-night-clinicals-arizona-college-of-nursing-and-banner-health/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RN-Nursing-Programs-Near-Me-for-BSN.webp"
categories:
  - Nursing School
topic:
  - Nursing
---

# Pioneering Night Clinicals: How AZCN and Banner Health Are Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce

![RN Nursing Programs Near Me for BSN](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RN-Nursing-Programs-Near-Me-for-BSN.webp)

_In healthcare, innovation often happens at the bedside. But sometimes, the most impactful innovations occur in how we prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. The partnership between [Banner Health](https://www.bannerhealth.com/careers) and [Arizona College of Nursing (AZCN)](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program) is proving this through a forward-thinking approach to clinical education: implementing night clinical experiences for prelicensure nursing students._

## The Nursing Workforce Reality

The demands of healthcare don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule—and neither should
nursing education. Recent data from Banner Health facilities in Arizona,
Northern Colorado, and Wyoming reveals a striking reality: 61% of new graduate
nursing positions are for night shifts, with only 39% for day shifts. Current
vacancies follow a similar pattern, with 60% of open positions being for nights.

Yet traditionally, nursing students have received
[clinical education](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/skills-and-science-lab/)
almost exclusively during daytime hours, creating a disconnect between education
and workplace realities. At Banner Health facilities, only 8.3% of available
night shifts were being utilized for student learning, compared to 42.2% of day
shifts.

“There’s a common misconception that night shift nurses don’t do anything on
nights and the patients don’t do anything but sleep. Nothing could be farther
from the truth,” explains Becky Childs, BSN, RN, Facility RN Clinical Education
Specialist at Banner Health. “Nights are hopping, you just have fewer ancillary
personnel on site. It’s a great way to develop your critical thinking skills
because you must figure out how to handle critical situations without as much
help.”

## Benefits for BSN Students

![What is a BSN Nursing Degree?](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Whats-a-BSN-Nursing-Degree.webp?w=300)

For nursing students in the
[BSN program at AZCN](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program),
training during evening hours offers unique advantages that day experiences
simply cannot provide.

The pace of nights allows for more focused learning and reflection, giving
students the opportunity to absorb information without the distractions of
daytime hours. Evening and overnight rotations can offer more one-on-one
teaching opportunities for preceptors to mentor and guide students.

“This setting also challenges students to adapt to different routines and
patient needs, building flexibility and resilience,” notes Kristie Gill, RN
Operations Support Specialist in Medical-Surgical at Banner Health. “Overall,
the experience supports the development of critical thinking, adaptability, and
strong interpersonal skills, all of which are essential for a smooth and
successful transition into professional nursing practice.”

This innovative approach particularly benefits Medical-Surgical rotations, where
students can experience a different rhythm of patient care and develop
confidence in their clinical decision-making with supportive preceptors who have
more time to teach.

## Flexible Options for Today’s Nursing Students

One of the most significant advantages of this initiative is how it accommodates
the diverse needs of today’s nursing students, many of whom are balancing work,
family, and education.

For career-changers and working parents—who make up a significant portion of
AZCN’s student population—evening clinical rotations provide flexibility that
traditional daytime hours cannot. AZCN student demographic data indicates that
approximately 47% of students have children or dependents and many work while
pursuing their degree, making flexible options that fit around existing
commitments essential for keeping BSN programs more accessible.

Students often express that they need educational options that work around their
busy lives rather than forcing difficult choices between family responsibilities
and career advancement. The opportunity to complete clinical hours during
evening hours allows many to maintain part-time work while gaining the hands-on
experience needed to launch a nursing career.

## Implementation Success

![BSN Degree Nursing Schools Near Me](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/BSN-Degree-Nursing-Schools-Near-Me.webp?w=300)

This innovative approach didn’t happen overnight. It began as a pilot in Fall
2022, with two to three evening shifts per student in specific rotations. By
Summer 2023, the initiative expanded to include more pediatric clinical
experiences and began recruiting dedicated faculty for evening and overnight
hours.

As this approach grew, so did its impact. By Spring 2024, Banner Health was
seeing stabilization of the nursing workforce with fewer preceptorships needed
and more night shift placements available. Faculty development focused on
various shift times and mid-shift conferences was introduced, further enhancing
the educational experience.

The results have been impressive. AZCN has become a Preferred Partner with
several large Banner Health facilities, largely attributed to flexibility and
creative utilization of available capacities. Students now generally understand
that working various shifts is a normal part of the curriculum, and a strong
faculty pool has developed to support these experiences.

## Meeting Workforce Demands Head-On

This innovative approach directly addresses the most pressing needs in today’s
healthcare workforce. With most new graduate positions and current vacancies at
Banner Health being for evening and overnight shifts, students with varied
clinical experiences enter the workforce better prepared for the realities of
hospital staffing.

The partnership between AZCN and Banner Health exemplifies how educational
institutions and healthcare systems can work together to align workforce needs
with educational preparation. This collaboration has created a pipeline of
BSN-prepared nurses who are ready for the challenges of working all shifts and
who can step into high-demand positions with confidence.

What began as a response to clinical partners’ needs has evolved into a valuable
educational enhancement. Evening and overnight rotations offer learning
opportunities that complement daytime experiences and create more well-rounded
graduates ready to enter the workforce.

## The Future of Clinical Education

The partnership continues to maintain approximately 30% of clinical experiences
during evening hours, with an ongoing commitment to offering student preferences
for shift assignments when possible. This balance ensures students gain
comprehensive experience while still having options that accommodate their
individual situations.

The partnership between Banner Health and AZCN continues to evolve, with regular
check-ins between campus leaders and clinical partners ensuring the approach
remains responsive to both educational goals and workforce needs.

This collaborative model represents a fundamental shift in nursing education.
Rather than simply filling shifts, it’s about better preparing nurses for the
full spectrum of what healthcare delivery entails across all hours of the day
and night.

## Start Your Nursing Journey

This forward-thinking clinical approach is just one example of how AZCN’s BSN
program prepares students for success in today’s healthcare environment. By
combining comprehensive classroom learning with diverse clinical experiences,
including valuable evening and overnight rotations, graduates enter the
workforce with confidence and competence.

If you’re considering a career in nursing, this partnership offers a distinct
advantage: real-world preparation that aligns with actual workforce needs.
Students benefit from flexible scheduling options, supportive faculty, and
clinical experiences designed to build the skills most in demand by employers
like Banner Health.

Ready to learn more? Explore
[AZCN’s BSN program](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program) and
discover how this innovative approach to nursing education could be the perfect
fit for your future career.

_This article was developed in partnership between Banner Health and Arizona College of Nursing to highlight innovative approaches to nursing education and workforce development._

**Categories:** Nursing School