Introduction
GCC participates in the MaricopaNursing program, a consortium of Maricopa Community College Nursing Programs. MaricopaNursing provides several ways to become a Registered Nurse (RN):
- Associates of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS): 4-semester program; eligibility to apply for licensure as an RN is granted after completion of AAS degree requirements.
- Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP): Fast track your nursing degree to become a registered nurse! With our university partners, you can earn your AAS and BSN degrees at the same time in the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP). The CEP enables you to finish faster, save money, and complete your education at GCC. Students who complete all pre-requisite and co-requisite coursework for MaricopaNursing and meet GPA requirements may be eligible to apply for this program. Learn more at the CEP website.
- Advanced Placement: Limited to transfer students from other nursing programs, LPN’s and Paramedics. Visit the Advanced Placement page for more information.
Admission Requirements
Complete the Maricopa Nursing prerequisites with a grade of C or higher and meet all admission criteria:
- BIO156, BIO181, or one year of high school biology and biology self-assessment exam (please see advisor to determine which option is best for your pathway)
- BIO201
- CHM130+CHM130LL, CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry
- ENG101
- MAT140, MAT141, MAT142, or higher applicable mathematics course
- NUR158, NCE150, any approved nursing assistant program, or current CNA/LNA credential. (Please note that effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, the Nurse Assistant (NA) requirement for application to the MaricopaNursing Registered Nursing (RN) program will be paused.)
- Valid level one fingerprint clearance card
- HESI A2 exam (minimum scores of 80% in English composite and 75% in math)
Completion of the corequisites is required before graduation from the program or before applying to the CEP. We recommend completing these along with the prerequisites and while waiting to be accepted into the program. The corequisites are:
- BIO202
- BIO205
- ENG102
- PSY101
- Humanities
- CRE101 or exempt
Steps to Enroll
Step 1: If you are not already a GCC student, visit Become a Student to enroll.
Step 2: Complete the mandatory pre-nursing information session in Canvas. If you are unable to log into Canvas, you may view the session in Google Forms.
Step 3: Meet with a nursing advisor. (Only available to students who have completed the pre-nursing information session above and to current nursing students.) Please choose one of the options below:
- Appointments (phone, video, or in-person). Self-schedule an appointment using our Appointment Scheduler.
- Virtual Drop-In: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the virtual Nursing Advisement Lobby.**
- Fill out the Pre-Nursing Advising Request Form to request class recommendations, education plans, and more.
**Excluding holidays and other campus closure dates.
Additional Information
The Health & Safety requirements, CPR card, and background check are not required until you have been accepted into the nursing program. These are not required at time of application.
Health & Safety Requirements
Every student entering the MaricopaNursing program must meet all Health & Safety requirements to enter the program and to maintain enrollment. Students will meet these requirements by providing a completed and signed Health & Safety Documentation Checklist with all required accompanying documentation to the Nursing Department as directed. For more information about these requirements, see the Health & Safety Checklist.
CPR Card
A Healthcare Provider level CPR Card is needed before entering the MaricopaNursing program. Certification information:
Background Check
All students entering MaricopaNursing programs are required to meet background check standards required by our clinical partners. In order for MaricopaNursing students to complete clinical experiences at local hospitals, students must meet these standards. For more information see the Maricopa Background Check Requirements.
DPS Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
Students in any healthcare program are required to have a current Level 1 DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card in order to apply to, and maintain enrollment in, any program. You may apply for a level one fingerprint clearance card with AZ DPS.
HESI A2
The nursing program entrance exam, HESI A2, is a four-hour, computerized test covering math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, general knowledge and grammar. The HESI A2 test can be taken at Testing Services. The cost is $45 and scores are valid for two years. For more information visit HESI Testing.
HESI PN
The HESI PN exam is the entrance exam for students applying for Blocks 3 and 4 of the nursing program. It is an untimed, computerized test. Most people finish in about an hour. Any PN-NCLEX review book will help you prepare for the HESI PN Test. For more information visit HESI Testing.
Students are admitted in fall and spring semesters to one of following 2 cohorts:*
- Traditional: Classes generally Monday-Friday
- Weekend: Classes generally Fridays & Saturdays, with possible Sundays
*Classes may be on weekends, evenings, or nights depending on availability of classroom and clinical site.
After completion of the prerequisites and admission requirements, you may submit a Maricopa Nursing application to be placed in the waitlist for the associate degree nursing (ADN) program. While waiting to be accepted, we recommend completing any remaining corequisites.
The waitlist for the ADN program may vary depending on a number of factors and is constantly fluctuating. Currently, the estimated waiting time is 2-3 semesters.
There is no waitlist for CEP; applications are graded on a competitive basis. However, you must submit the Maricopa Nursing application to be placed on the waitlist before you can submit the CEP application.
| Cost Estimate for MaricopaNursing Programs* | |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Cost |
| Tuition (up to 74 credits) | $7,178.00 |
| Course Fees Estimate | $975.00 |
| Textbook & Electronic Resources Estimate | $1,800.00 |
| Fingerprint Clearance Card | $70.00 |
| Background Check, Drug Screen | $150.00 |
| Clinical placement registration | $50.00 |
| Uniform and Clinical Supplies | $400.00 |
| Immunizations/Health Requirements | $350.00 |
| Health document tracking | $35.00 |
| Total Estimated Cost of the MaricopaNursing Program | $11,008.00 |
*Cost estimate is for the total number of credits for the nursing courses in all 4 Blocks as well as pre and co-requisite courses. Total credits will depend upon the Block of placement (for example, advanced placement students' cost would be less as they would enter at blocks 2, 3, or 4.) Fees are subject to change by the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
For details about MaricopaNursing program outcomes and achievement data, click on the blue "Download Our Program Outcomes" button under "Registered Nurse (RN)" on the Maricopa Nursing webpage.
- Graduates' success on the licensure and/or certification examination
- Students' completion of the nursing program
- Graduates obtaining a job
Please see our Financial Aid department for more information on how to apply for financial aid and for any questions regarding financial aid or scholarships.
If you have any college credits outside of the Maricopa Community Colleges, please have your official transcripts sent to GCC so they may be officially evaluated.
All transcripts should be sent directly to:
Glendale Community College
Admissions, Records, & Registration
6000 West Olive Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85302-3090
Please keep in mind:
- Official Transcripts must be sent directly to GCC from your high school and all other colleges attended via mail or electronic portal (Parchment); hand-carried transcripts, even if sealed, are not acceptable.
- Maricopa Community Colleges will only transfer equivalent credit for classes in which you received a grade of "C" or better.