Alaska RN Programs

Registered Nurse Careers in Alaska

The largest profession in the healthcare industry is the registered nurse (RN) position. This field employs over 2 million workers and has a projected growth rate of more than 20 percent over the next 8 years. However, many cities in the United States are experiencing shortages in the nursing field. The lowest concentration of nurses exists in the South Central states as well as the Pacific states. These states include Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, California, Hawaii, California and Oregon. Most notably, the lowest concentration is in one of the Pacific states, Alaska.

The average RN salary in Alaska is $99,110 per year, or $48 per hour. The health care industry in Alaska has produced many new opportunities for workers. Although, nursing positions in Alaska are still in high demand. Registered nurses are needed more than any other position in the state. A survey found in Nursing World, a national nursing journal, states that Alaskan hospitals had an average vacancy of 1.5 nurses per facility. Professors and teachers of nursing are also in high demand. This is due to the large number of nurses filling general nursing positions to make up for the overall shortfall.

Nursing school graduates can help ease the pain. Qualified nursing candidates are needed at all levels in Alaska. This is especially true in the cities of Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage.

Graduation from the University of Alaska in Anchorage requires:

• UAA Certification of Admission for BS in Nursing Science and transcript evaluations
• Advising sessions with Nursing Academic Advisor.
• Minimum grade point average of 2.70 for courses required for the Bachelor of Science, Nursing Science.
• A grade of “C” or higher in all specified courses required for the nursing major.
• Completion of specified prerequisite courses (34 credits)

Registered nurse programs in Alaska offer a broad variety of specializations as well. Registered nurses can specialize in critical care nursing, geriatric nursing, gastroenterology nursing and orthopedic nursing. Registered nurses may also become teachers or hospital administrators. The average registered nurse salary in Alaska is $60,000+ per year.

Registered nurse requirements in Alaska include:

• A current (valid) Alaska RN license
• Either a Bachelors degree in nursing (BSN) or an Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN)
• Passing the NCLEX-RN examination
• Cardiology, Critical Care or Emergency Room experience

Alaska RN Resources

Alaska State Board of Nursing
Alaska Nurses Association
Alaska School Nurses Association
Alaska Student Nurses Association
Alaska Nursing Scholarships

Accredited Alaska RN Schools

University of Alaska – Anchorage

3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: 907-786-4572
RN Program Type: ADN & BSN

The selection of registered nursing programs in Alaska is very limited, but there are several online universities that offer qualified RN programs for Alaska students. Just like with traditional campus schools, it is recommended that interested students verify the current accreditation status of an online university before enrolling. Many online programs are relatively new and might not have local and/or national accreditation yet.

Online RN Programs for Alaska Nursing Students

Walden University Online RN Program

National American University RN Program

Indiana State University Online RN Program

Baker College Online BSN Program