Professional nurses provide care for individuals, families and communities in a variety of urban, rural and culturally diverse settings. Professional nurses take independent and leadership roles in health care.

For those considering the profession of nursing:

APTITUDES

• Interest in biological, natural and behavioral sciences that provide a foundation for the practice of nursing.
• Have good math skills and verbal abilities in reading, writing, and speaking.
• Be able to handle and prioritize a variety of activities, critically assess and analyze, and make judgements based on data and observations.
• Be creative, flexible, and able to work under stress.
• Have good communication and interpersonal skills.

HELPFUL HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECTS
High school subjects that may help prepare individuals for this occupation include as many science, mathematics, English, and computer courses as are available to you. A standard college preparatory program would be ideal, with an emphasis in writing skills, science and mathematics.

JOB OUTLOOK
Employment of nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010.

EDUCATION
Three semesters of pre requisites must be completed before admission to the nursing program. The nursing program is five semesters. To obtain a master’s, a BS in nursing is required.

SALARY
National median salary is $46,535. (www.payscales.com)

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
Upon graduation of the pre-license undergraduate nursing program, an applicant is eligible to take the National Licensing Examination(NCLEX-RN) for an RN license. For an applicant to apply to the RN to BSN program, a RN license is required in the state the student will be conducting clinicals. To apply to the Masters’s programs, a bachelors degree in Nursing and a current Arizona RN license is required.

Arizona State Board of Nursing
1651 East Morten Ave. Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85020-4613
(602)331-8111
(602)906-9365
Web Address: www.azbn.gov

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
American Nurses Association
8515 Georgia Avenue - Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
1-800-274-4ANA
Web Address:  www.nursingworld.org

Arizona Nurse Association
1850 East Southern Suite 1
Tempe, AZ 85282
Web Address:   www.aznurse.org