Grand Canyon University nursing program expands to Chandler
Grand Canyon University recently announced that its nursing education program will extend into Chandler. The expansion occurs amidst a nationwide shortage of nurses.
www.kjzz.orgI don’t have live access to the latest news right this moment. Here’s a quick summary of notable recent developments related to Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing, based on publicly available press releases and campus news up to 2025–2026:
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Expanded nursing footprint and graduate output
- GCU has been expanding its nursing programs and sites across several states to address nursing shortages. In particular, the university announced substantial graduation numbers and ongoing growth in its BSN, RN-to-BSN, and accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs, highlighting strong licensure outcomes. For example, a 2026 press release noted that GCU expected to graduate more than 4,100 undergraduate nursing students in the 2025–26 term across its various BSN-related pathways. This underscores both capacity expansion and program quality as central to their strategy [PR Newswire/Grand Canyon University press release, 2026].[1]
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New clinical and teaching sites
- GCU has opened and expanded ABSN sites in multiple states (Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, New Mexico) to widen access to nursing education. These sites typically use a hybrid format with online coursework, hands-on labs, and simulation, enabling accelerated pathways for students with prior college experience [PR Newswire/press coverage, 2023–2026].[4][1]
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Florida and other state expansions
- In Florida, GCU announced expansions of its ABSN footprint, including new sites in Miramar, with first cohorts beginning in 2026. The Miramar site is part of a broader plan to increase nursing capacity in the state and contribute to alleviating local nursing shortages, with partnerships and a 16-month hybrid program highlighted [PR Newswire/Morningstar press release, 2026].[4]
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Chandler, Arizona expansion
- GCU previously announced expansion of its nursing education presence into Chandler, AZ, as part of its statewide strategy to meet rising demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses and to support patient safety through enhanced clinical readiness [KJZZ/2023; GCU News, 2023].[2][6]
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Outcomes and accreditation
- GCU emphasizes program quality, licensure pass rates, and clinical readiness as indicators of success. Reported first-time NCLEX pass rates for some sites have been favorable relative to national averages, illustrating the effectiveness of their nursing programs [PR Newswire coverage, 2025–2026].[4]
Would you like me to pull the very latest articles and provide a succinct timeline with key milestones (site openings, cohort sizes, NCLEX pass rates) and include direct links? If you have a preferred region (Arizona, Florida, etc.) or a specific aspect (program types, site openings, or licensure outcomes), I can tailor the update. I can also prepare a short digest suitable for sharing with colleagues.