Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Abby McCoy, RN, BSN

Updated

Reviewed by NursingEducation Staff

An Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, or AAS, is a two-year nursing program and one of the fastest ways to become a registered nurse (RN). Other associate’s degrees in nursing include an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

All three programs allow nurses to graduate as registered nurses and prepare them to take their state licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN. After passing this exam, AAS graduates become registered nurses and may apply for a license in the state of their choosing. This guide can help any future nurse find out what it takes to get an AAS degree and start their nursing career.

AAS Requirements

Before a prospective nurse can apply for an AAS program, they must check off a few boxes first. Nursing programs require a high school diploma or GED, SAT/ACT scores, and letters of recommendation. Different programs have varying GPA requirements, but the lowest minimum is usually 2.0.

Nursing school applicants will also want to have a solid resume, with extracurricular activities, volunteering pursuits, and shadowing in a medical setting or two. Some colleges require an in-person interview along with an application, and candidates will need to present in a professional manner and speak to their reasons for wanting to become a nurse.

AAS programs may require students to first complete some prerequisite classes before they can begin working toward their degree. These may include:

Whichever program a student chooses, the college will list full requirements on their website.

AAS Program Basics

Time needed for an AAS degree can vary from person to person. If a student must also work while they attend school, their degree may take longer. However, regardless of time spent, an AAS degree will involve the same cost and coursework.

AAS Program Length and Cost

When full-time hours can be devoted to the program, an AAS takes about four semesters, or two years. Some programs offer a part-time or PRN option, in which nursing students may take their classes bit by bit. In this case, the degree may take up to four years to complete. Nursing students who embark on a full-time program may find it difficult to work at the same time.

The cost of an AAS degree differs by state, school, and residency status. State colleges offer most AAS programs and tuition is lowest if the student is a resident of the area—highest if they don’t live in the state. Here are some examples of AAS program’s full tuitions:

AAS Program Coursework

All AAS programs encompass a combination of lecture, simulation lab work, clinical hours, and exams. Some may offer a hybrid remote option, but all clinicals must be done in person. Some classes AAS nursing students can expect include:

During lecture, nursing students learn the basics of the human body and where and how illness and injury occur. They learn the names of medications, how they work, and how to administer them.

AAS Skills Labs

Simulation labs are often designed to look like patient rooms, with all the equipment needed to care for the practice dummy in bed. In a simulation lab, students practice skills like listening to lung sounds, drawing blood, managing artificial airways, and responding to medical emergencies. Some simulation equipment is more portable and may be brought into the classroom, like CPR dummies and silicone arms with “veins” to practice IV starts.

AAS Clinical Hours

In clinical rotations, student nurses work under the assigned RN and their instructor to provide basic care to their patients. While they will not have full responsibility for those patients, these experiences provide hands-on learning for not only medical skills but also effective communication and rapport-building with patients.

AAS Earnings and Careers

When a nurse graduates with an AAS and passes their NCLEX, they become an RN. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs make a median annual salary of $81,220 ($39.05 per hour). The average annual wage runs higher at $89,010 a year, or $42.80/hour. While the BLS doesn’t offer any data on differences in pay between RNs with an AAS and those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), other sources report that a nurse with an associate’s degree may earn less than those with a bachelor’s.

This pay difference may come in part from the shift in employer preference from associate’s degrees to BSNs. A survey done by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported more than 70% of healthcare employers prefer new nurses to have a BSN. In 2010, the National Academy of Medicine decided 80% of RNs should have a BSN degree by the year 2020. The National Nursing Workforce Survey says that goal was almost met, at above 70%.

Nevertheless, the current shortage of nurses has ensured many opportunities for all RNs, no matter their education. RNs with an AAS may apply to work in any health setting, including:

Nurses who wish to pursue management or higher education like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will first need to earn their BSN before they can move on to these goals. Fortunately, programs across the U.S. offer RN-to-BSN bridge programs so RNs can achieve their bachelor’s while they continue to work as an RN. These programs can take anywhere from nine months to two years, depending on course load, and many employers offer incentives to enroll.

For nurses earning an AAS, opportunities abound. An Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree provides solid classroom instruction and clinical skills so any student can feel confident in their nursing practice.

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