Nursing Schools in Alaska - AK

Click on an area of interest:

• ADN and BSN Programs in Alaska
• RN to BSN Programs in Alaska
• RN to MSN Programs in Alaska
• MSN Programs in Alaska
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Alaska

Nursing programs in Alaska have made progress in reaching more students throughout the state by way of nursing school outreach sites and online nursing schools. The featured schools on this site have made it possible to deliver CCNE accredited nursing programs to students in the rural geographies of Alaska, it doesn't matter if you are in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Sitka, Kenai or another area you can pursue your education goals. Use this resource to request free information from LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN nursing programs and more.

A popular option for nursing school applicants, who have been wait-listed in Alaska for ADN or Baccalaureate programs, is to become a Medical Assistant while on the wait-list. The upside to becoming a medical assistant is that one can earn a nice salary while gaining valuable work experience. Many nursing schools are bumping up applicants who have more advanced education and clinical work experience, such as the work experience gained as a Medical Assistant. One can earn an associate’s degree or certificate in Medical Assisting in as little as 6 months for a very minimal investment. Click here to request free information from Kaplan University’s Online Medical Assisting Associate’s program to learn more.

If you are a registered nurse and looking to advance your career you may want to look into MSN Education or PhD health care degree programs that will prepare you for a nursing faculty role at one of the Alaska Universities. The state of Alaska needs nursing educators to increase the number of nursing school graduates to help alleviate the affects of the Alaska nursing shortage.

Alaska Nursing Jobs Outlook and Nursing Salaries in Alaska

Alaska is no stranger to the nursing shortage plaguing the United States.  Alaska totaled 400 nursing vacancies in January 2001, according to a study by the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association. The future of the shortage does not look bright either. The state Labor Department projects an additional 220 openings each year for nurses through 2008 due to increasing demand for services and retirements of existing nurses.

There is a large aging population in Alaska and the more rural areas, including the southwest and northern regions are feeling the impact of the nursing shortage.  Schools like the University of Phoenix and Walden University (both CCNE accredited) are offering online nursing programs that will tap into the more rural areas of Alaska where there is a great need for nursing school graduates. These schools have been arranging for the clinical component of the degree program to take place locally. 

What all this means is that nursing jobs in Alaska are abundant and hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, and other institutions are paying good salaries, offering great benefits packages, flexible work schedules and in many cases sign on bonuses.

In 2002 the average hourly salary for a registered nurse in Alaska was $28.55, as reported by the Alaska Colleagues in Caring Alaska Re-licensure Survey for Registered Nurses (RN’s).  Another survey by the State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates in 2000 provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics registered nurses in Alaska can typically earn an hourly rate of $25.08 and an annual rate of $52,170.

Featured Online Nursing Schools in Alaska

Alaska Board of Nursing Approved Nursing Schools

Nursing Programs
University of Alaska Anchorage (AAS or BS in Nursing)
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508-8030
Telephone: (907) 786-4550
FAX: (907) 786-4559

Back to Top