New GCU nursing pathway aims to address workforce shortages

By Stacy Mantle
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As hospitals and health care systems across the country continue to struggle to fill nursing positions, Grand Canyon University is launching a new degree program designed to create another pathway into the profession.

The university recently announced a new associate of science in pre-nursing degree, the first associate-level degree program in GCU's history. The online, 60-credit program is designed to help students complete foundational coursework before moving into a nursing program.

University leaders say the offering is intended to reduce barriers for students interested in health care careers while helping to address a nationwide nursing shortage.

"The future of health care depends on building stronger pathways into nursing," said Dr. Lisa Smith, dean of GCU's College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions. "Students come to nursing from many different backgrounds and stages of life, so it's important to offer pathways that support those varied journeys. By expanding entry points and flexible learning options, we're helping more students pursue careers in nursing while strengthening the healthcare workforce our communities depend on."

Building a foundation

The associate of science in pre-nursing does not lead directly to registered nurse licensure. Instead, it focuses on foundational science and prerequisite coursework that prepares students for a bachelor of science in nursing program.

Students who complete the degree can transfer their credits  into GCU's accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program.

"This new associate of science in pre-nursing degree utilizes science lecture and lab coursework that GCU has been offering online to nursing students since 2020," said Dr. Jon Valla, associate dean of GCU's College of Natural Sciences. "Providing the coursework as an AS degree will now allow more students to leverage a successful foundation."

Because the program is eligible for federal financial aid, university officials say it may provide a lower-risk entry point for students who want to explore nursing before committing to a full bachelor's program.

Expanding nursing education

The new degree is part of a broader expansion of GCU's nursing education programs.

The university's accelerated BSN program now operates at 12 sites across eight states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Florida, Missouri and New Mexico. The hybrid program combines online coursework with in-person skills labs, simulation experiences and clinical training. Students can complete the accelerated program in as few as 16 months after admission.

During the 2025-26 academic year, GCU awarded 4,116 degrees through its BSN, RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs.

University officials say expanding educational paths is critical as health care employers face staffing challenges driven by retirements, population growth and increasing healthcare demands.

Strong outcomes

GCU reported an average first-time pass rate of 94.67% on the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, across all nursing sites in 2025. The national average first-time pass rate was 86.71%.

The NCLEX is the licensing exam required for graduates to become registered nurses.

Supporters of programs like the new associate of science in pre-nursing degree say alternative paths can help to attract working adults, career changers and other nontraditional students who may not have pursued nursing through traditional routes.

As Arizona and the nation continue searching for solutions to healthcare workforce shortages, universities are increasingly looking at flexible, stackable credential programs that allow students to enter high-demand careers through multiple educational pathways.

Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Stacy Mantle
Education Solutions Reporter

smantle@iniusa.org

Meet Stacy
Stacy Mantle is joining the team at Independent Newsmedia, Inc. as an Education Solutions journalist, thanks to a grant from the Arizona Community Collaborative. She has a long history in education that ranges from teaching junior high and middle school to developing curriculum and standards-based assessments.

Community: A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Stacy is deeply involved in rescue efforts and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations.

Random Fact: Once upon a time, she shared her home with a pet coyote and two wolf hybrids. The experiences were wild enough to become the subject of her first book!

Education: She holds a BA in English with a minor in Political Science, a Post-baccalaureate in Secondary Education, and an MBA with a emphasis on Marketing.

Hobbies: In her spare time, Stacy writes fast-paced urban fantasy novels, crafts small-batch artisan soap, and is always up for hiking or off-roading through the Arizona wilderness with her husband of 23 years.