In light of heightened news coverage of limited capacity for nursing students at the state universities, Grand Canyon University (GCU) wants prospective nursing students to know that there's plenty of room, and financial aid is readily available.

"To put it simply, we have the capacity, and we can meet the demand," said GCU CEO Brian Mueller.

GCU has an academically rigorous nursing program, focusing on pre- and post-licensing, with a major focus on continuing education. The University offers fast-track nursing programs and an expanded curriculum in health sciences to serve prospective students interested in pre-med, pre-vet, pre-pharmacy and allied health professions including medical technology and radiation therapy. The University's nursing program was recently recognized by Nursing Online Educational Database (NOEDb) as having the number two online nursing program in the country. It is also ranked number seven on the list of most popular nursing schools by Payscale.com.

Over the past few years, Grand Canyon University has developed innovative programs to help nursing students obtain bachelor's and master's degrees within the hospital setting, working collaboratively with hospitals to increase capacity and help hospitals offer a higher caliber of care. In the face of continued decreases from state universities and cutbacks in nursing faculty, private institutions such as GCU are thriving and leveraging the lack of space in state universities' nursing programs to build their own programs.

"Our universities have a choice in which programs they cut. Arizona is already facing a public health crisis with our alarming shortage of registered nurses. I can't believe nursing being put on the block during this time of incredible shortage," said Fran Roberts, Grand Canyon University Vice President of Strategic Business Alliances for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

"As a private institution, we're equipped to work with our state leadership to increase our capacity for new nurses and we are not dependent on the state's budget to do this. We stand ready to move quickly," Roberts said.

Student advisors are readily accessible to work with prospects to ensure they have the adequate pre-course work completed, and that any and all financial assistance options are researched.

"Students who are interested in pursuing a healthcare career shouldn't have to wait to start caring. As spring enrollment deadlines approach we want prospective students to realize that there are options beyond the state universities -- and that there is plenty of room in our programs," Roberts said.

GCU has established partnerships with local, regional, and national healthcare institutions to place its students in the workforce while obtaining their clinical and didactic education. Partnerships include St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Banner Healthcare, Abrazo, Scottsdale Healthcare, Carondelet Health Network, the Hospital Council of Southern Arizona, John C. Lincoln Health Network and AMN Healthcare and others.

More information about spring classes is available at / or by calling 888.226.7320.

About Grand Canyon University

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a traditional regionally accredited, private, Christian university offering campus-based and online bachelor's and master's degree programs through the Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and College of Liberal Arts. The Phoenix-based school is ranked as having one of the top online education programs by OEDb (Online Education Database). With an enrollment of approximately 16,500 students, GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students as well as the working professional. For more information visit .