Is an Associate's degree in Science required?

Miss Mab · Feb 13, 2008

Hi Cheizy and welcome!

I am a little confused by your question--perhaps you can clarify?

Do you mean do you need, or will you receive, an AS degree when you graduate from a community college RN program?

There are no community college NP programs. Nurse practitioners are Advanced Practice Nurses meaning they are for nurses who already have their RN license and generally also have earned a BSN.(Though there are some programs for those who are non-nurses w/no experience but a bachelor's in other fields and also for Associate Degree RN's who "bridge" into an NP program while bypassing the BSN by taking more classes but I don't think that's where you are going with this and don't want to confuse you further!)

Perhaps you are thinking of the PA programs? There are community college based Physician assistant programs where you do not need any previous college degree but of course pre-req science coursework is required. I believe those students receive an Associate of Science degree afterward. In fact, I think some even grant a Master's degree after such a program. It can be confusing how these all work.

PA and NP are different career fields with differing entry requirements(even from within each) so maybe you could rephrase the question and I could try to help?

Good luck..

Oh, and if you did mean RN then yes you would receive an associate's degree after completing an RN program at a community college. You don't need to have one already before you start--just the pre-reqs!

Karley9336 · Feb 13, 2008

Miss Mab, perhaps she means Nursing Program? Just my :twocents: .

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2008

Usually community colleges award an Associates Degree in Nursing, so yes you do have to have an associates degree minimum to become an RN.

Miss Mab · Feb 13, 2008

Hi Cheizy and welcome!
I am a little confused by your question--perhaps you can clarify?
Do you mean do you need, or will you receive, an AS degree when you graduate from a community college RN program?
Good luck..
Oh, and if you did mean RN then yes you would receive an associate's degree after completing an RN program at a community college. You don't need to have one already before you start--just the pre-reqs!

Echo? Echooooooooo???

Hmmm...

Ahhhhh, as a recent diploma grad you'd probably been right on it had she asked about DNP :lol2:

Oh, those crazy nurses with their initials...can't get enough of 'em.......... :smokin:

cheizy · Feb 13, 2008

LOL! sorry for the shortcuts, NP as in nursing program. Because at my community college, we have a 2 year program to prior to becoming a RN.

Sorry let me restate my question, Do I need to have all my G.E. classes finished by the end of my nursing program? Because at my school, we have a G.E for Science, and one for Arts (I'm assuming I need the science one) I know I should probably be asking my school or something, but that would probably be Monday. Thanks everyone! You guys really make a difference :nuke:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2008

Yes you need to have all the requirements finished that award you the Associated Degree In Nursing in order to sit for state boards. If you finish the nursing classes and lack say a humanities course, they will not issue your degree and without the degree you can't sit for NCLEX even though you have your nursing courses finished.

Good luck!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

In many programs, you cannot even start/apply to the Nursing program until a certain amount of general ed classes are completed, such the required math, English, Anatomy/Physiology, etc. This is because this knowledge is necessary to know, and build on as a nurse.

In many cases, it is best if most are already completed when you start the nursing program., especially if you have to work.

As such, two year program is a misnomer....it usually is more like three, if you are starting fresh with no college.