Grand Canyon University in Tucson helping reduce shortage of nurses
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 194,500 registered nurse positions are open each year.
www.kgun9.comHere’s the latest publicly available news about Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (GCU College of Nursing):
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Key press release: GCU announced it expects to graduate more than 4,100 undergraduate nursing students in the 2025-26 academic year, across BSN, RN-to-BSN, and accelerated BSN pathways. This reflects expanded capacity and ongoing emphasis on licensure outcomes and clinical readiness. This figure includes graduates from Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 terms. [Source: PR Newswire press release on Grand Canyon University, March 30/31, 2026] (Note: PR Newswire coverage explicitly ties the 4,116 graduates to the 2025-26 cycle and quotes the College of Nursing leadership about program quality and outcomes. )[1]
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Nationwide expansion of ABSN presence: GCU has opened 11 Accelerated BSN (ABSN) sites across multiple states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico) to widen access to nursing education. The hybrid format combines online coursework with hands-on labs and simulation, with pathways that can complete in about 16 months after entry. This is part of GCU’s strategy to address nursing shortages by diversifying access points and delivery methods.[1]
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Local expansion and site enhancements: GCU has invested in nursing-site enhancements (example: Tucson, AZ) to boost enrollment and workforce entry, including additional labs and study spaces and new pathways for the ABSN program. This aligns with efforts to increase the pipeline of trained nurses nationwide.[2]
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Recognition and outcomes framing: GCU and its College of Nursing and Health Care Professions have been highlighted by external sources as contributing to the nursing education pipeline, with programs designed for speed-to-work and strong licensure outcomes. In particular, industry outlets and local coverage note GCU’s accelerated formats and large-scale graduation figures as indicators of capacity and impact.[3][9]
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Related media and university news coverage: GCU News and related channels regularly publish features on the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, including program updates, student experiences, and announcements about new sites or cohorts. These sources provide context for ongoing growth and programmatic focus on clinical readiness and outcomes.[5][6][8]
Illustrative context and takeaways:
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Growth in capacity: GCU’s plan to graduate more than 4,100 nursing students in one year signals substantial scale in its nursing programs and suggests a significant contribution to addressing national nursing shortages. The 94.45% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate cited by industry partners reinforces the emphasis on licensure success alongside throughput.[3][1]
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Access and speed: The ABSN network and hybrid formats enable faster entry into the nursing workforce for those with prior college experience, expanding pathways for career changers and working adults. The Tucson expansion exemplifies this approach in a specific regional market.[2][3]
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National footprint: With ABSN sites across several states, GCU’s nursing educational footprint aims to reach diverse populations and reduce barriers to entry while maintaining program quality.[1][2]
If you’d like, I can:
- Pull direct quotes from the press release and summarize them.
- Create a concise, side-by-side comparison table of GCU’s nursing pathways (BSN, RN-to-BSN, ABSN) including typical duration, delivery mode, and site availability.
- Track any new developments and provide updates with inline citations.