Nursing Schools in Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the nation in terms of size. However, there are a limited number of nursing schools in Alaska. Aspiring nurses in The Last Frontier can choose to go for traditional on-campus or online programs, according to their academic and career requirements.

Even though nursing education options in Alaska may be limited, it is still one of the highest paying states for Registered Nurses. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for Registered Nurses in Alaska was $95,270 in 2020, which is significantly higher than the national mean annual wage of $80,010.

Job Outlook for Nurses in Alaska

Aspiring nurses in Alaska would be delighted to know that the state offers a really good job outlook and salary potential for registered nurses. Even though the employment figure for nurses in Alaska is 6,240, which is relatively low, the salary figure is among some of the highest across the US. The only states that pay their nurses more than Alaska are California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Oregon.

In addition to salary outlook, job growth is also expected to be high in Alaska. According to statistics from O*Net Online, the projected growth for registered nurses was 7% in the years from 2018 to 2028. This growth rate is as high as the national growth percentage for registered nurses. 360 new job openings are expected to be added for registered nurses as a result of this growth rate.

How to Choose a Nursing School in Alaska?

When looking for a nursing school in Alaska, there are several considerations students ought to take into account. For instance, the reputation of the institute is very important, as is its NCLEX-RN exam pass rate. Other than that, students should consider the cost factor and analyze all the elements that are covered in a given tuition rate.

One of the most important factors to bear in mind when looking for a nursing school is its accreditation status. Programs that are accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education are acceptable.

Nursing Degrees in Alaska

Aspiring nurses in Alaska can choose from a variety of nursing programs, depending on their prior education credentials. Students can go for an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). RN-to-BSN programs are also available for those who already hold a registered nurse credential and want to advance their education level.

Coursework for Nursing Schools in Alaska

The coursework for a nursing degree would depend largely on the level of degree you are enrolled in. Common courses that you can expect to explore at all levels of nursing education include nursing fundamentals, microbiology, clinical theory, clinical study, women and infant health, leadership management, care transitions, gerontology, pharmacology, and community and environmental nursing. Students are advised to analyze the coursework options in detail for the program they intend to enroll in, to make sure that it aligns with their future goals.

National Estimates for Registered Nurses in Alaska

Employment ¹	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage ²	Employment per 1,000 jobs	Location quotient ⁹
6240	$45.81	$95,270	21	0.98

(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.

(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a “year-round, full-time” hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.

(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.