So there is actually a difference between ADN and AAS?

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.

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.