Online NP Schools in Arizona
Find NP Schools
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Online nurse practitioner programs in Arizona play a pivotal role in addressing the state’s growing healthcare needs and the broader national shortage of healthcare providers.”
Lindsay Ann Bouchard, DNP, Director of the DNP Program, University of Arizona
Pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner (NP) in Arizona offers aspiring healthcare professionals a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives while enjoying the autonomy and flexibility associated with the NP role. Arizona is one of the states that grants full practice authority to NPs, allowing them to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and develop individualized care plans without the need for physician oversight. This level of independence has made Arizona an attractive destination for current and prospective nurse practitioners, particularly as the demand for these highly skilled professionals continues to grow.
The growth of the NP profession in Arizona is nothing short of remarkable. According to data from 2022, there were 6,540 nurse practitioners working within the state. However, this number is projected to skyrocket to 11,200 by 2032, representing an astounding 71 percent increase over just a decade, as estimated by CareerOneStop.org (2025). This surge is driven by a variety of factors, including a growing population, increased access to healthcare under expanding coverage options, and the state’s proactive approach to utilizing nurse practitioners to fill crucial gaps in primary care.
Online NP programs in Arizona are stepping up to meet this demand, offering flexible and accessible educational opportunities for aspiring NPs to balance rigorous training with their existing responsibilities.
Meet the Expert: Lindsay Ann Bouchard, DNP, PMHNP-BC, RN

Dr. Lindsay Ann Bouchard serves as the vice chair and director of the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at the University of Arizona’s College of Nursing, where she is also an associate clinical professor. Holding a DNP degree in psychiatric mental health from the University of Arizona, a master’s in nursing from McGill University, and a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Michigan, Dr. Bouchard brings a wealth of academic and clinical expertise to her roles.
Her research focuses on resilience, compassion fatigue, and mental health, with significant contributions to nursing education and practice, including the pilot of a resiliency course for DNP students and innovative simulation-based education models. A recipient of honors such as the Excellence in Teaching Award and Extraordinary Faculty Award, she is a leader in fostering well-being and advancing nursing education.
Additionally, Dr. Bouchard has extensive clinical experience in psychiatric-mental health and has collaborated on numerous publications and presentations that address critical issues in nursing and healthcare.
NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Arizona?
Dr. Bouchard: Online nurse practitioner (NP) programs in Arizona play a pivotal role in addressing the state’s growing healthcare needs and the broader national shortage of healthcare providers. Doctor of nursing practice (DNP)-prepared nurse practitioners are uniquely equipped to help alleviate this gap by improving access to high-quality healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas.
As a pioneer in hybrid models of NP education, the University of Arizona College of Nursing offers an established, innovative, and highly ranked (10th among public nursing schools and 19th overall) pathway for DNP students to experience the flexibility of online education combined with the benefits of in-person clinical intensives and rotations.
NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?
Dr. Bouchard: Aspiring online DNP students in Arizona should focus on the long-term impact of a DNP degree on their careers and the communities they serve. A DNP degree provides opportunities to move into leadership roles, engage in clinical scholarship, drive change in healthcare systems, shape the future of nursing education, and make a difference in patient outcomes. With seven specialty tracks, the University of Arizona College of Nursing’s DNP program offers nurses with many different backgrounds and career goals the tools necessary to make meaningful change.
Earning a DNP degree is not just an investment in your career but in the future of healthcare, particularly in Arizona, where there is a critical need for skilled providers and leaders.
Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Arizona (Ranked by In-State Tuition)
School | Degrees | Specializations | Programs & Tuition | Programs | Tuition (in-state) |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Canyon University |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
University of Arizona |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Northern Arizona University |
|
|
|
|
NP Practice Authority in Arizona
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Arizona?
United States | Arizona | |
Number of NPs Employed | 307,390 | 7,540 |
Average Salary | $132,000 | $132,920 |
10th Percentile | $97,960 | $84,740 |
25th Percentile | $109,940 | $115,290 |
50th Percentile (Median) | $129,210 | $133,790 |
75th Percentile | $149,570 | $151,650 |
90th Percentile | $169,950 | $172,610 |
Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of May 2025 |

Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAmong her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.