Overview of Nursing Schools in Alaska
If you’re looking to become a nurse in Alaska, you’ve come to the right place. BestNursingDegree.com is here to help you find the resources you need to take a step forward in your nursing education or career. On this page, you’ll find information about schools, careers, programs, and nursing schools in Alaska. You’ll also find a list of featured schools and a quick search box (“Find Schools Near You”), to help you pick and request information from the program that’s right for you.
Attending nursing school is a major accomplishment, and even better, it’s one that can positively impact your life and the lives of the people you serve in your community. Alaska, as a state, has unique healthcare needs.
Nursing Issues in Alaska
At an Alaska nursing college, you may learn how to best meet these needs while building your education based on the latest evidence in healthcare. Comparing the programs offered at Alaska nursing schools may help you decide which degree is the next step for you and how you can prepare for a career in nursing.
Both licensed practical nurses and registered nurses play an important role in the health care industry of Alaska, providing evidence-based care to patients in different clinical settings. If you’re interested in the medical field and you’re ready to work hard in a fast-paced setting, nursing might be the right career choice for you.
Like many states, Alaska faces a nursing shortage. The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is addressing the problem at the high school level with its Anchorage Nurse Camp for upperclassmen and recent graduates. UAA’s School of Nursing has a specific program called Recruiting and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN). This organization hosts Anchorage Nurse Camp.
Introduction programs like Anchorage Nurse Camp are pragmatic considering the healthcare implications of Alaska’s rapidly growing senior population. The number of baby boomers in the state exceeds the national average. This demand increases the numbers of Alaska nursing jobs available and makes salaries more competitive. Learn more about nursing schools in Alaska by requesting information directly from our site.
Nursing Education in Alaska
To get started in nursing in AK, you must meet the strict educational requirements of the nursing field. If you want to become a licensed practical nurse, that means completing an approved LPN program. These programs typically require about one year of study. If you want to complete an associate’s degree in nursing, plan on earning about 60 credits over the course of two years. A bachelor’s degree in nursing, which may allow you to work in a greater variety of specialties, requires the completion of 120 credits.
Alaska Nursing College Bridge Programs
Whether you opt to attend an Anchorage nursing school or a nursing program in another part of Alaska, you may discover that bridge programs provide additional options. Bridge programs make the most of the education you’ve already completed, making it easier for you to work toward a degree in less time.
If you are a licensed practical nurse, you can advance your education with online LPN-RN and LPN-BSN programs. If you’re already an RN eager to complete your BSN, such programs typically last just two to three years, allowing you to meet general education course requirements and clinical requirements. RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs tend to have work experience requirements. With the right amount of nursing experience, you may skip some clinical hours and attend one of the best Alaska nursing schools online. Moving from an RN to a BSN degree may take 18 months, while an RN to MSN program may last 24 to 36 months.
Other options are designed for students with non-nursing degrees. These options transfer your general education credits to a BSN or MSN degree, reducing the amount of time you spend becoming a BSN-level nurse. Accelerated BSN programs often last 12 to 18 months. Accelerated MSN programs typically have a duration of 24 to 30 months.
Financial Assistance for Nursing School in Alaska
Scholarship and grant programs in Alaska make attending one of the nursing schools in Alaska more affordable.
- The Alaska Community Foundationawards the David E. Knox Memorial Nursing Fellowship, which is worth up to $2,500. You must agree to work in rural Alaska after graduation.
- The Health Resources and Services Administrationawards funds to nurses who are interested in serving the Alaskan Native population.
- The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education offers state-specific grant and scholarship information.
Are you ready to become a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse and explore the world of health care? Reach out to Alaska nursing schools today for more information and program details.
Nursing Degree Programs in Alaska
| School | Programs | Location |
| University of Alaska, Fairbanks | BSN, online RN to BSN, MSN, DNP, post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner, graduate certificate in nursing education | Fairbanks |
| University of Alaska Southeast | Associate’s program, Certified Nurse Aide training, and pre-nursing certificate offered. | Juneau |
| University of Alaska, Anchorage | Associate- through doctoral-level programs. | Anchorage |
Tips for Choosing the Top Nursing Schools in Alaska
Choosing a nursing school is a big responsibility, so it’s not something to rush. Take your time comparing each school that offers your degree of choice. You may want to get more information from the programs you are considering. Doing so will help you compare financial aid, tuition costs, and clinical experiences, all of which may help narrow down your short list.
If you can, try to visit your top school choices. You can learn a lot about a school on paper, but visiting in person gives you an understanding of the school’s learning environment. If you can, sit in on nursing classes. You may see how students interact with professors and how professors address students. This gives you a way to find out if a school meshes with your learning style.
Don’t forget the role of accreditation in nursing education. Accredited schools have been thoroughly vetted by a nursing education agency to ensure that they meet the highest educational standards. The ACEN accredits schools at the LPN, RN, BSN, MSN, and doctoral levels. Only bachelor’s-level and master’s-level programs can be accredited by the CCNE. Other accrediting agencies may permit you to apply for licensure, which is another reason that it’s important to learn as much as possible about each school.
2017 Career Outlook for Nursing Professions
As an Alaska resident, you know that the state’s population is almost entirely rural. This poses a varied set of challenges for healthcare workers, who often must cover large service areas. It may also leave patients with limited access to the care they need. Nurses who can work in community health settings are an important resource for this region (RAC Monitor, 2017). Your education may improve healthcare in Alaska and bring care to the people who need it most.
Job growth rates in Alaska parallel those reported across the nation. Demand is greatest in remote parts of Alaska, where you may enjoy loan forgiveness options if you commit to a specific term of employment. Demand for licensed practical nurses is expected to increase 14% by the year 2024 (O*Net, 2017). After attending one of Alaska’s registered nursing degree programs, you may start working as a registered nurse. Job openings may see a 10% boost by the year 2024 (O*Net, 2017).
At the same time, the need for graduates of Master of Science in Nursing degree programs may rise. O*Net anticipates a 19% swell in job openings for nurse practitioners (2017).
Your completion of a licensed practical nursing diploma program may allow you to apply for entry-level positions in Alaska. Currently, licensed practical nurses claim an average salary of $53,760 per year in Alaska (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Those who work as registered nurses bring in an average of $86,450 per year (BLS, 2017). Annually, nurse practitioners claim a mean income of $121,250 (BLS, 2017).
With so many opportunities in nursing, it’s important to make the most of your options and pick a school that fits you. Everyone learns differently, so what is best for you may not be what is best for someone else. Visit local schools, explore their learning outcomes, and select a program that aligns with your career goals.
