Become an RN in Utah:
FAQs at our Salt Lake City Campus
Become a Registered Nurse with a BSN degree at Arizona College of Nursing – Salt Lake City. Below you will find some of the frequently asked questions that future RN’s often ask our campus faculty and staff.
LPN Program in Utah vs BSN Program: What is the difference?
Understanding the differences between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is crucial to planning your nursing career path. This is because the education requirements between RNs and LPNs vary significantly. An LPN program typically takes about 1-2 years to complete. It is intended to prepare students for entry-level nursing roles to perform basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. While the time commitment to complete an LPN program is relatively short, LPNs often find their employment opportunities very limited.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a far more comprehensive track that often takes four years to complete. BSN programs cover a far wider range of topics and offer much more in-depth training designed to equip graduates with the skills to provide a much higher level of patient care and the potential to work in specialized nursing roles.
At Arizona College of Nursing in Salt Lake City, we offer an accredited 3-year BSN program that can be completed in as little as 3 years. Our Utah nursing program is designed for individuals who are committed to the field of nursing and are looking for a fast and efficient path to a rewarding career. To learn more about the differences between an LPN program and a BSN program, read our blog article for more information.
Nursing Career Frequently Asked Questions
From 2020 to 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the State of Utah could see the nursing job market grow by as much as 20%. This is much faster than the expected average growth of RN employment in the United States, which the BLS estimates will grow 6% from 2022 to 2032.
Updated 06/2024. Source
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Registered Nurses in UT have a median nurse salary of $79,790 per year. However, RNs in the Salt Lake City typically earn more than the state median, estimated to be $80,060 per year. As you will be newly entering the workforce, it’s important to know that you will likely not start at the median rate but will likely increase your earnings with experience.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Registered Nurses in Salt Lake City, UT range from a low rate of $66,610 per year to the highest-paid Nurses earning as much as $104,830 per year for their nursing salary.
Updated 06/2024. Source
One of the great benefits about working as an RN is that you have many different options for work environments. As of 2023, registered nurses held about 3.3 million nursing jobs.
The largest employers of registered nurses were as follows:
Hospitals (58%)
Ambulatory healthcare services (19%)
Nursing and residential care facilities (6%)
Government (5%)
Educational services; state, local, and private (3%)
Updated 2024. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
Nursing Program Questions at Arizona College of Nursing – Salt Lake City
Students can progress through our BSN program in Utah in three years or less with qualifying gen ed transfer credits. Transfer credits could be a way to help you graduate in less time and at a lower cost.
For questions about transfer credits, including credits associated with college-level credit test scores, visit our Campus Locations page for details to contact your local campus. Our admissions team will review your current transcripts and give you specific feedback on how past education might be eligible to be applied towards a BSN degree.
Read more about Arizona College of Nursing’s credit transfer requirements
Students of all ages and backgrounds who qualify may be eligible for a variety of financial aid programs and payment options including:
- Federal student loans
- Federal PELL and SEOG grants
- Eligible State-based grant programs
- Private educational loans
- Military veteran educational benefits (ex: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®)
In addition to financial aid, Arizona College of Nursing does offer scholarship opportunities. For more information on financial aid and scholarships, visit https://www.arizonacollege.edu/admissions/financial-aid/.
Yes. While every student’s schedule may vary due to prior academic experience, you’ll start your BSN degree program with evening general education courses. In addition, some general education courses are offered in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format.
We offer general education courses in the evening because we know students are busy and often can’t immediately change their entire schedule when starting Nursing school.
Once you begin your Core Nursing courses, your schedule will shift to daytime classes.
Our BSN program curriculum covers important topics like clinical-thinking, community health, critical care, gerontology, leadership, surgical care, obstetrics, pediatrics, and psychiatric care.
Arizona College of Nursing – Salt Lake City does not offer an LPN to BSN or an LPN to RN bridge program. However, you still have the ability to enroll in our program and earn your BSN degree in just three years!
Your prior LPN nursing experience will serve you well as you complete the coursework, and it will be especially helpful during the clinical training portion of the program.
We encourage you to contact our admissions team and mention your prior nursing experience. They’ll tell you more about how your LPN experience can help you in the BSN program.
General Nursing College FAQs
The length of time it takes to become an RN with a BSN can vary depending on the program and the student’s prior educational background. Bachelor’s degrees often take 4 years to complete, but with our 3-year BSN program, you can complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 3 years.
If you have completed some college credit or have a degree in another field, qualifying transfer credits can shorten your program length. To learn more about the pathway to becoming an RN with a BSN degree in Utah, contact an admissions representative at our Salt Lake City campus.
There are various parts of the cost of becoming a nurse in the State of Utah. First, you must complete an accredited nursing program.
Next, the Utah State Board of Nursing requires an RN Endorsement ($150), an RN Exam Fee and Licensure Fee ($300), an RN Re-Exam Fee ($100), and a fingerprint fee ($50). Source
The comparison of an LPN vs. RN primarily comes down to education and scope of practice. An LPN typically focuses on providing basic nursing care under the supervision of an RN or physician.
On the other hand, an RN typically requires an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). RNs have a wider scope of practice, including patient care planning and diagnostic testing. Choosing between these roles depends on your career goals, with RNs generally having more opportunities for advancement and higher earning potential.
Contact our admissions team to learn more about how our three-year BSN program in Salt Lake City can help prepare you for a career as an RN.
To become a nurse, you first need to choose the type of nursing role you want to pursue, such as a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or nurse practitioner (NP). Generally, you will need to complete the relevant nursing education program and obtain the necessary certification for licensure. For example, RNs typically need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Each type of nurse has specific educational and licensing requirements, so it’s important to know what applies to your chosen nursing path.
To become an RN, you need to complete an accredited nursing program, such as our BSN program at Arizona College of Nursing – Salt Lake City, which includes coursework, clinical experience, and NCLEX-RN exam preparation integrated into the curriculum. After graduating, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain your RN license. For detailed steps and specific requirements, please contact our admissions office.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an undergraduate college degree designed to equip students with the training and studies needed for a successful career in nursing. The BSN curriculum includes both general education and advanced nursing studies. To increase your chances of finding a position in your state and city of choice, you should consider earning a bachelor’s in nursing science (BSN).