The RN to BSN program at Grand Canyon University meets the requirements for clinical competencies as defined by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), using nontraditional experiences for practicing nurses.

The CCNE and AACN competencies are addressed through several aspects of the RN to BSN program at Grand Canyon University, including evidence-based practice, quality improvement initiatives, cultural sensitivity, leadership roles, patient education, collaboration with other healthcare professionals, health promotion strategies for diverse populations and ethical decision-making. Through the portfolio development course within the program, students are required to document experiences from their practice settings that demonstrate these competencies. The faculty review these portfolios periodically throughout the program in order to ensure they meet established standards and provide feedback where needed regarding how they can further develop their skillset. Additionally, there is an emphasis placed on professional communication with interprofessional colleagues as well as patient education protocols which help support successful outcomes for patients within various healthcare settings.