ADHS awards $43.1 million to accelerate nursing degrees for nearly 900 students

Five schools receive funding for programs addressing Arizona's nurse shortage

Thanks to $43.1 million in grants awarded by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), nearly 900 Arizona nursing students will be able to accelerate completion of their studies and help address the state's shortage of nurses. 

ADHS provided the grants to five nursing programs for scholarships to be used in programs designed to allow students to complete bachelor's and master's degrees in 12-18 months. Recipients must agree to practice nursing in Arizona for at least four years upon completion of their degrees.

Programs receiving funding and the amounts are:

• Arizona State University: $5.6 million for 104 scholarships
• Creighton University (Phoenix): $5.9 million for 80 scholarships
• Grand Canyon University: $16 million for 300 scholarships
• Northern Arizona University: $6.4 million for 240 scholarships
• University of Arizona: $9.2 million for 158 scholarships

The programs will create scholarships covering the cost of tuition and fees incurred while completing an accelerated nursing program. 

The funding is made possible by HB 2863, approved by the Arizona State Legislature in 2022. 

In a separate solicitation funded through HB 2863, ADHS awarded Creighton University $6 million in capital costs associated with adding a cohort of accelerated nursing students.