Alaska Nursing Schools

There aren’t many campus locations within Alaska nursing schools, but there are several online options. It is a large state that boasts relatively urban areas right alongside pristine wilderness.

Jump to Alaska Nursing Programs >>

It may not be as heavily populated as the other states, and it may only have a handful of accredited universities with a nursing program, and one vocational school with a practical nursing program; but that doesn’t mean that Alaska doesn’t need qualified nurses to staff its medical care facilities.

A lot of areas in Alaska are woefully underserved when it comes to medical care, particularly the areas traditionally occupied by Native Alaskans. Alaska has made many efforts to draw people of Native Alaskan lineage to its nursing programs, in the hopes that these nurses will take their skills back to serve their communities in remote areas of Alaska.

Financial Aid and Other Incentives for Nursing Students

There are plenty of grants and scholarships available for nursing students and full-fledged nurses in Alaska, from research grants to loan repayment programs. Some of these include:

  • The Alaska Nurses Association Foundation research grants
  • Teacher and Healthcare Professional Housing Loan Program
  • Scholarships specifically for nursing students of Native Alaskan descent
  • Tuition repayment programs from hospitals and medical care facilities
  • Scholarships from the University of Anchorage

Some of these are available for new nursing students, while others are available for graduate nursing students, or practicing nurses only. Since nursing school can be expensive, it’s important to thoroughly research all of the funding options available to you prior to enrollment.

Career & Salary Information for Alaska Nurses

Alaska covers everything from cities to long stretches of wilderness, and from affluent areas to poor ones. Nurses in Alaska can expect their earning potential to vary as a result. A staff RN in Juneau, for example, can earn a median annual salary of $74,407, a staff RN in Fairbanks can earn a median annual salary of $75,458, and a staff RN in Anchorage will bring in around $74,998. These are all median figures, and actually represent a range that runs from about $61,000 to nearly $90,000. All figures are from the BLS.

Alaska Nursing Degrees by Program

Use the quick links below to view detailed information on the specific nursing degree you are considering. Includes degree info and school options in your state.

Alaska Board of Nursing

Alaska has a couple of different overseeing organizations for its nurses. There is the Board of Nursing, the Alaska Nurses Association, and the Alaska Nurse Practitioners Association. These are important resources for both nurses and nursing students that need information on topics like licensing, scholarship programs, research grants, and industry news. The Board of Nursing can be reached at 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1500, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501-3567 or on their website.

Alaska Nursing Scholarships & Financial Assistance

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)
Applicants must be Alaska Native and American Indian residents of Alaska.  Nursing scholarships are available for full-time undergraduate and graduate students.  Applications are due to ANTHC by March annually. Nursing students can contact ANTHC directly at 4000 Ambassador Drive, Suite 114, Anchorage, AK 99508, or by calling them at (907) 729-1917.

The Alaska Community Foundation
The Foundation provides scholarships to residents of Alaska pursuing higher education. Specifically, the David E. Knox Memorial Nursing Fellowship provides up to $2,500 to a nursing student pursuing a degree to be a registered nurse. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must commit to serve a small rural Alaskan community for one year upon graduation.  In addition to a formal application, nursing students are required to submit a personal essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and documentation of financial need to David E. Knox Memorial Nursing Fellowship, Alaska Community Foundation, 400 L Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK  99501.

Educational Institute Nursing Scholarships
It is not unusual for major nursing schools to offer nursing scholarships to students.  To determine if nursing scholarships are available through your school, visit your school’s nursing department.  They will have information on available nursing scholarships.  You can also contact the financial aid office at the school.  Request scholarship and grant application forms as well as guidelines for submission. Not all relevant information will be on the application form.  Eligibility information will be detailed in the guidelines along with award amounts and deadlines.  An example of institutional-based nursing scholarships and grants follows:

University of Alaska Anchorage
The University has nearly 20 scholarship programs for nursing students.  Students enrolled part-time or full-time are eligible to apply for nursing scholarships. The majority of awards range from $500 to $1,000 per year.

Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives in Nursing (RRANN), a program for nursing majors at the university, also has a scholarship program.  Nursing students who are residents of Alaska are eligible for scholarships from RRANN. Scholarships of $500 can be used for tuition and other nursing program expenses.

Applications are available from the University Alaska Anchorage at 3211 Providence Drive, PSB#103N, Anchorage, AK 99508, or by calling (907) 786-6978.

Employer-Sponsored Nursing Scholarships
Many large companies in Alaska offer scholarships to employees and their children. These nursing scholarships can cover a large portion of your tuition costs.

The CIRI Foundation
Eligible applicants are Alaska Natives who are original enrollees of the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI).  The Foundation supports a variety of scholarships and grant programs for students.  Nursing students eligible for the Achievement Scholarship can receive $8,000 for nursing school.  Eligibility includes a GPA of 3.0.  Those with a GPA of 3.5 or higher may be eligible for the Excellence Scholarships which award $10,000 in tuition assistance.

The Foundation also manages designated funds such as the Roy M. Huhndorf Endowment Scholarship Fund which supports students pursuing health-related degrees. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for this scholarship.  Applications are accepted twice a year.

Nursing students should contact the Foundation for a listing of all available scholarships and grants.  Each has a separate application form and deadline. The CIRI Foundation is located at 3600 San Jeronimo Drive, Suite 256, Anchorage, AK 99508-2870.

Community-Based Nursing Scholarships
Community foundations and other grantors provide scholarships and grants to nursing students who reside in specific communities.  Eligibility may be based on the high school you graduated from or the city you live in.  Find out more about community-based nursing scholarships by contacting local civic groups.  Your high school guidance office may be able to help locate community-based grantors.  The West High Alumni Association is an example of a community-based group that offers nursing scholarships.

West High Alumni Association
Alaskan residents who graduated from West Anchorage High School are eligible for these nursing scholarships. Students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate nursing programs are eligible to apply for $1,000 scholarships.  For applications, submit a letter of inquiry to West High Alumni Association at P.O. Box 92503, Anchorage, AK 99509-2503.

List of Nursing Schools & Accredited Programs in Alaska

Alaska Vocational Technical Center

Nursing Programs Offered:
Certificate Program less than one year in Vocational Nursing
Certificate Program between one and two years in Registered Nursing
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
809 Second Avenue
Seward, Alaska 99664-0889
Phone: (907) 224-3322
Website: www.avtec.edu
Alaska Vocational Technical Center is a less than 2-year, public institution.

University of Alaska Anchorage

Nursing Programs Offered:
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Associate Degree in Nursing Licensed Practical Nursing (ADN LPN)Option
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Accreditation: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: (907) 786-4550
Website: www.uaa.alaska.edu

University o Alaska Anchorage is a 4-year public institution.

University of Alaska Southeast

Nursing Programs Offered:
Associates of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN)
Certificate Program less than one year in Vocational Nursing
Certificate Program between one and two years in Registered Nursing
Certified Pre-Nursing Qualifications(CPNQ)
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801-8697
Phone: (877) 465-4827
Website: www.uas.alaska.edu
The University of Alaska Southeast is a 4-year, public institution.