AA or AS

cnaj · Dec 20, 2014

For sure get the AS in nursing (RN) a lot of places no longer hire LPNs. And then even if BSN doesnt work out for you you still have the RN to fall back on.

SierraBravo · Dec 21, 2014

The AA degree will not make you eligible to become a nurse; in fact, it does not contain any actual nursing curriculum. The ASN, however, is a nursing degree and will make you eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and become a Registered Nurse. If you are already a student at a community college where they offer the ASN, why not speak with them and see what it would take to transition (if possible) into that program? Often times, community colleges have extensive waiting lists to get into their nursing programs.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2014

i currently go to a community college (pre nursing major will graduate with a associate in arts) if i dont have the gpa to get into a traditional bsn program ( i want to be a rn/bsn) do i go to a lpn program then take the nclex-pn then apply to a rn-bsn program? and is there a difference between associate in arts degree (pre nursing) and associate in science (nursing)?

Do you mean apply to a traditional 4 year BSN program after becoming an LPN? RN to BSN programs are for RNs with diploma or associate degrees, you wouldn't be eligible to enter into such a program as an LPN. You'd have to bridge to RN first.

I have never heard of an associates of arts in pre-nursing. Regardless, that's not a nursing degree nor is it a path to licensure. An AS in Nursing is a nursing degree and enables one to take NCLEX-RN.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2014

Even if you were to become an LPN, you still would not be eligible for admission into any RN-to-BSN degree programs because you do not have an RN license.

LPNs who want to earn the BSN degree must complete an LPN-to-BSN program, or it can be done the long way by completing an LPN-to-ASN bridge program, then taking and passing NCLEX-RN, then completing an RN-to-BSN program.

is there a difference between associate in arts degree (pre nursing) and associate in science (nursing)?

There's a huge difference between an associate of arts in prenursing (AA) and the associate of science in nursing (ASN). To keep it simple, the person who is enrolled in an ASN degree program is attending nursing school.

Earning an ASN degree renders the graduate eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, and if the person passes NCLEX, he/she is an RN educated at the associate degree level. I am an RN and an ASN degree holder. I do not have a BSN degree.

RunBabyRN · Dec 21, 2014

Don't bother applying for graduation with your AA. ASN means you've attended a nursing program, so yes, there's a difference. In addition to all of the prereqs and general ed, one has also attended a 2 year ASN program. I would try to do an ASN program and then bridge to BSN. LPNs have a very limited market these days.

You'll need to look at the job market where you are to determine if you can work as an ASN-prepared nurse, or if you really need your BSN.

lindseylpn · Dec 21, 2014

It really depends on where you live that determines the market for LPNs. In my area LPNs have a wide scope of practice so, we can work in almost every setting. There are usually an equal amount of job postings for LPNs as RNs in my area or they are just posted as either or. Each state/area is different. I would look at several job posting sites/newspapers and see what's in demand in your area before deciding.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2014

I'm confused on how you are prenursing but getting an AA degree in it. I know you can get an AS degree in prenursing. I think if you are graduating with an AA degree then it's not prenursing. Your problem is going to be with financial aid. If you graduate with an AA degree then you will have to do the prereqs and go for the BSN. What you need to do is speak with an advisor. I have no idea why people graduate with an associate arts degree. It doesn't get you a job and messes with your financial aid. I feel like advisors at schools don't advise people very well.

vreynolds8489 · Dec 21, 2014

I got an associates of science degree in pre-nursing then applied to a 4 year college (that I just got into) to complete my BSN. You could do the Lpn program but like one of the other posters said they are really not hiring lpns anymore and it just depends on your area. An associates in science pre-nursing will be the better choice because you take all the needed science and math classes to apply for a nursing program. An associates of art is pretty general and if you decide you don't want to do nursing it could easily be used toward another career path when trying to achieve your bachelors. An ASN degree means your eligible to become an RN. An AA in prenup sing means you've just completed your general core classes and now can apply to a BSN program. I hope all of this makes sense.

chare · Dec 22, 2014

In the OP's situation the issue is the concentration, not the degree. The associate in arts (AA) degree is in "pre-nursing." By definition, this a prepatory program, onr that providws most, if not all, of the prerequisites fot the BSN. This likely equates to the first two years of a traditional four year bachelors degree. Often times you will find community colleges and four year universities that have signed transfer agreements.

The associate in science in nursing (ASN) is a prelicensure program. Upon successful completion one can sit the NCLEX RN.

When evaluatingna prospective program rhe degree concentration, and wheher it will allow the graduate to sit tje NCLEX is much more important than which degree is awarded. Not all prelinsure programs award an ASN degree. The program I attended awarded an associate in applied science as a prelicensure degree. And while I haven't completed an extensive search it would not surprise me to find AA degree that was a prelicencure program as well.