Nursing
Train to be a registered Nurse
Program Credentials
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
The Nursing AAS is a workforce degree designed to prepare graduates for entry-level registered nursing practice. The program combines classroom instruction, simulation lab experiences, and supervised clinical rotations.
Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
What Can I Do as a registered nurse?
Graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN may pursue registered nursing careers in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospital nursing (medical-surgical, emergency, intensive care, labor and delivery)
- Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
- Home health and hospice care
- Outpatient clinics and physician offices
- Public health and community health nursing
- Tribal health programs
- School nursing
Registered nurses are among the most in-demand healthcare professionals in Coconino County. CCC graduates have found employment at Flagstaff Medical Center, local clinics, public health agencies, and long-term care facilities throughout the region.
What Will I Learn?
Nursing coursework covers the knowledge and clinical skills needed for entry-level registered nursing practice. Depending on your semester, coursework and training may include:
- Foundations of nursing practice and patient care
- Pharmacology and medication administration
- Medical-surgical, maternal-newborn, and pediatric nursing
- Mental health and community health nursing
- Health assessment and clinical reasoning
- Nursing leadership and professional practice
- Ethics, communication, and patient advocacy
Is this program right for me?
Nursing at CCC is designed for students who are ready to commit to a demanding, sequential program that requires significant time, preparation, and personal investment. Before applying, most students complete prerequisite courses over several semesters and work as nursing assistants to build the hands-on patient care experience required for admission.
This is not a program you can complete while working full time. Clinical rotations, skills labs, and simulation requirements are intensive and mandatory. Students enrolled in the nursing core may not work for eight or more hours immediately before a clinical rotation or class.
If you are early in your healthcare journey, consider starting with CCC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program. Earning your LNA license is a required step for Nursing AAS admission and gives you practical patient care experience that will serve you throughout your nursing education.
Ready to Apply?
Review prerequisite requirements, application steps, health documentation, and program policies.
Program Standards & Recognition
Arizona State Board of Nursing approved
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission Accreditation
NCLEX-RN Exam: Graduates can sit for the NCLEX-RN national licensure exam. CCC’s 2025 first-time pass ratee was 90%.
Program at a glance
Credential: Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Total Credits: 77-79
Program Length: Approximately 3 years
Time to completion: 2-3 semesters of prerequisites, followed by 4 semesters of nursing core.
Part-time Option: Available during prerequisite phase; nursing core is full-time
Course delivery: In-person classroom, skills lab, simulation, and clinical rotations
Schedule: Primarily daytime; some evening and weekend clinicals
Campus: Fourth Street
Licensure Preparation: NCLEX-RN, Arizona Registered Nurse (RN) license
Financial Aid Eligible: Yes, for eligible students
Transfer pathway: Workforce degree; RN-to-BSN pathways available after graduation
Limited Enrollment: Yes. Approximately 30 students accepted per year. Admission is competitive.
Clinical Training and Simulation
A significant portion of your nursing education takes place outside the classroom. You will practice foundational skills in CCC’s on-campus skills lab, apply clinical reasoning through simulation exercises, and complete supervised clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities throughout the four semesters of the nursing core.
Clinical attendance is mandatory. Students must have current health documentation, immunizations, and a valid Level 1 Fingerprint Card for participation in clinical experiences. Transportation to clinical sites is the student’s responsibility. Sites may include facilities in Flagstaff and surrounding communities.
For a full list of health and documentation requirements, visit the Nursing Program Information page.
Transfer options
After earning the Nursing AAS and obtaining your RN license, you may continue your education through an RN-to-BSN program at a four-year university. Several Arizona universities, including Northern Arizona University, offer RN-to-BSN programs designed for working nurses. Speak with an academic advisor for current information on how to transfer to a university.
Career Outlook
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to be a CNA before I apply?
Yes. A current, unexpired Arizona Nursing Assistant (LNA) license is required for admission. If you do not yet have your license, CCC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program is a great place to start.
- How long does the program take?
Most students complete the program across seven semesters: two to three semesters of prerequisite coursework followed by four semesters of core nursing courses. Total time varies depending on how quickly prerequisites are completed.
- Can I work while in the Nursing program?
The program is demanding and clinical requirements are intensive. Students may not work for eight or more full hours immediately before a clinical rotation or class. Many students reduce work hours significantly during the core nursing semesters. Most work as nursing assistants during the prerequisite phase.
- Is admission guaranteed if I meet the minimum requirements?
No. The program is competitive with approximately 30 students accepted per year. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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