So there is actually a difference between ADN and AAS?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Oct 17, 2014

I have an AAS from Purdue University. And a BA. And a BSN. And an MSN. And I'm enrolling in a DNP program next year.

jocelynpotano · Oct 17, 2014

Great haha! Makes me not be so worried! Thanks!

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 17, 2014

In most cases, the accreditation of a school matters more than the name of the degree. However, you can never know "for sure" unless you ask the school(s) where you would plan to continue your education about what degrees/schools/accreditation they will accept.

As a general rule (with lots of exceptions these days) ... traditionally ... ADN's were offered by academic institutions and AAS's and ASN's were offered by vocational schools, hospital-based programs, etc. -- programs that don't always have the highest levels of accreditation and that sometimes do not have good academic reputations. As I said, there are a lot of exceptions to that: but some universities (and employers) may be a little skeptical about some schools who offer an AAS if they are not familiar with that school and don't know that it is well-respected.

As suggested by the name Associate of Applied Science ... this degree was first created to reflect a lesser emphasis on academic work and a greater emphasis on the performance of tasks. Schools may question whether graduates of such programs are well-prepared for higher level academic work. However, as I said, programs have evolved over the years and that old distinction in the degrees may not apply to that particular program. I would check with the schools you might go to later to see if it matters to them to be sure.

jocelynpotano · Oct 17, 2014

Okay, thank you. I guess I will just have to contact a counselor to see if, OU RN-BSN accepts A.A.S. degrees.

hawksrn2014 · Oct 21, 2014

I got an AAS. In my school the difference was that I had taken statistics (its now mandatory for admission). It assists in transferring to a bsn program

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Oct 21, 2014

I am an ADN with an AAS, all it means is that I had to complete a few more general education requirements for my upcoming BSN program, I had to take a stand alone patho class, comp II, a second humanities course and a history course, everything else transferred with no problems, I had a few spare credits as well, I took stats, a 2nd algebra class, sociology and another general credit course in anticipation of a BSN in the future.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2014

ADN = Associate Degree in Nursing

AAS = Associate of Applied Science

ASN = Associate of Science in Nursing

Even though I possess an ASN degree that was conferred by a trade school, I was still able to enroll in an RN-to-BSN degree completion program. I enrolled in May of this year, needing to earn 34 credit hours in order to earn the BSN degree.

In this day and age, a multitude of respectable schools will accept your RN licensure and previously earned credits and apply them toward BSN degree completion.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2014

I graduated from a 4-year university in 1987 with an AAS degree. However, they referred to us as having an ADN, and my state board also called it ADN. I had absolutely no problem when taking the BSN. The classes we took for the AAS degree were the same exact ones the BSN students took, plus the same clinicals. Just less humanities.

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 22, 2014

I graduated with an AAS, and practically speaking, it just meant that I had to take one or two extra classes in my RN-BSN program. No biggie.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 22, 2014

Since you mentioned your school is a stand-alone, is it a private for-profit school? Since you are sure you want to go further in your education, some universities demand regional and national accreditation. It would be simplest if your plans are for OU for sure, then just check with them.