Nursing Degrees: The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Practical Nursing (AAS)

LPNs are trained professionals who have made integral contributions to direct patient care for generations. Even though the most common gateway into the practical nursing occupation is satisfactory completion of a state-approved diploma/certificate practical nursing program, this piece is going to discuss another academic option called the associate of applied science degree in practical nursing. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

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Nursing Degrees: The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Practical Nursing (AAS)

The licensed practical nurse (LPN), also referred to as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in the American states of Texas and California, is a highly valuable healthcare member of staff who has acquired basic nursing education, received training as a generalist nurse, and obtained occupational licensure to render routine care to medically stable patient populations with predictable outcomes. LPNs have been part of the US healthcare system for generations.

Be cognizant that the LPN's scope of practice is completely subject to the state board of nursing in which professional practice occurs. This means that some state boards of nursing (BONs) enable LPNs to practice within the sphere of extremely broad scopes of practice, while other state BONs employ very restrictive scopes of practice that place considerable limits on the skills that LPNs are authorized to perform.

A person who is interested in training to become a licensed practical nurse may opt for one of two stimulating academic paths. Associate's degree programs and diploma/certificate programs are the two main ways in which an individual shall gain entry into the practical nursing profession in the US. While the most frequent pathway into the practical nursing occupation is successful completion of an approved diploma/certificate practical nursing program, this option was discussed in great detail in a previous piece of writing. Expressly, this piece is going to shed more light on the associate of applied science degree in practical nursing, also known in California and Texas as the associate of applied science degree in vocational nursing.

The less common educational route to a practical nursing career is satisfactory completion of a state-approved program that results in conferral of the associate of applied science (AAS) degree in practical nursing. In fact, many members of the public and a small number of nursing professionals are unaware that some LPNs possess associate's degrees. These associate's degree programs are usually offered at community colleges, regional state universities, vocational schools and technical colleges. AAS degree programs in practical nursing tend to be more prevalent in certain geographic regions such as the Midwest, Intermountain West, and West Coast.

The associate of applied science degree in practical nursing delivers a well-rounded education with a slightly wider breadth than the diploma/certificate program. Prior to being granted the legal title of 'LPN,' graduates of associate's degree programs must achieve a passing result on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), the national exam that leads to professional licensure as a practical nurse.

Practical nursing students who are enrolled in associate's degree programs attend classes at the different types of schools recorded in a preceding paragraph. In addition to a high school diploma or GED, successful completion of specific prerequisite courses is typically necessary for admission into an associate's degree practical nursing program. Moreover, the admissions process can be competitive if the practical nursing program receives more applications than available seats.

Most practical nursing programs instruct students in the following focus areas

  • Nursing Fundamentals
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing (Child / Adult)
  • Clinical Practicum / Hands-On Nursing Skills
  • Geriatric Nursing
  • Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing
  • Maternal / Postpartum / Obstetric Nursing
  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacology

All students in practical nursing associate's degree programs are required to amass several hundred hours worth of hands-on skills training, also known as clinical practicum. Practical nursing clinical rotations take place in various healthcare settings such as acute care hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, doctors' offices, group homes, and extended care facilities. Clinical practicum time is deliberately designed to provide students with valuable experiences through patient encounters and hands-on procedural skills such as vital sign checks, medication administration, wound care, injections, urinary catheter insertions and oxygen therapy.

The vast majority of associate's degree programs are approximately two years in length. Click on the link below to view the layout and curriculum of the associate of applied science (AAS) degree in practical nursing at North Seattle College:

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at North Seattle College

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TheCommuter

About TheCommuter, BSN, RN

TheCommuter, BSN, RN, CRRN is a longtime physical rehabilitation nurse who has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a Registered Nurse.

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Thanks for this information. It is actually new for me.

1 Votes

Great article

1 Votes
Specializes in hospice.

Honestly, with RN being an associate's degree, I would never waste the amount of time and money it would take to get an associate's for LPN. I'm currently applying to a certificate-LPN program that has no prerequisites and takes one academic year, because for the pay raise and employment opportunities I'll get as a LPN compared to a CNA, that's the only way it makes sense to me. The pay raise isn't enough and the job opportunities so limited that getting an associate's at that level is just crazy, IMO.

1 Votes
Specializes in CMSRN.

This is interesting, as I had no idea the option even existed. I am an RN with an AAS and the school I attended offers the Practical Nursing program but it is a certificate, not a degree. I could easily see a transition in the future to all RNs having to go to the BSN and LPNs having to go to the AAS, given the direction of higher education in the nursing field these days. Certainly something to think about.

1 Votes

I think this is rather stupid. If you want a two year degree just go for RN. There are a few schools around here that offer an AAS in LPN but I think if you want to go to another year just bridge to an RN. Its rather pointless otherwise.

1 Votes
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Tinkk said:
I think this is rather stupid.

I respectfully disagree. Education is not stupid.

Tinkk said:
If you want a two year degree just go for RN.

What if a person lives in a metro area where all RN programs are impacted by lengthy waiting lists and/or lottery style admissions? In the area where I live, many people with 4.0 grade point averages have been rejected from RN programs because the schools of nursing receive thousands of applications..

Everyone (and their mamas) wants to just "go for RN" but life doesn't always deal the deck of cards that we desire, so some people must adapt and take detours to get to where they want to be.

1 Votes
duskyjewel said:
Honestly, with RN being an associate's degree, I would never waste the amount of time and money it would take to get an associate's for LPN. I'm currently applying to a certificate-LPN program that has no prerequisites and takes one academic year, because for the pay raise and employment opportunities I'll get as a LPN compared to a CNA, that's the only way it makes sense to me. The pay raise isn't enough and the job opportunities so limited that getting an associate's at that level is just crazy, IMO.

Duskyjewel,

Where is there an LPN program that doesn't require pre-requisites?

Cathy

1 Votes
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

My LVN program had no prereqs.

1 Votes
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Cathylady said:
Duskyjewel,

Where is there an LPN program that doesn't require pre-requisites?

Cathy

I know the question is not directed toward me, but my program did not require any prerequisites. I attended a PN/VN diploma program at a private nonprofit trade school that issued credit in clock hours as opposed to college credits.

1 Votes
Specializes in CMSRN.
This is interesting, as I had no idea the option even existed. I am an RN with an AAS and the school I attended offers the Practical Nursing program but it is a certificate, not a degree. I could easily see a transition in the future to all RNs having to go to the BSN and LPNs having to go to the AAS, given the direction of higher education in the nursing field these days. Certainly something to think about.

I'm sorry, I actually have an ASN and was tired when I wrote this yesterday. Realized later what I said wasn't 100% accurate. ?

0 Votes
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
BloomNurseRN said:
I'm sorry, I actually have an ASN and was tired when I wrote this yesterday. Realized later what I said wasn't 100% accurate.

No problem! ?

0 Votes