Definition of Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) provides the basic education necessary to become a registered nurse. After graduation with an Associate of Applied Science Degree and successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of care settings. AASN incorporates nursing knowledge, knowledge of key biological and social sciences and the study of humanities. Graduates of the AASN program exhibit competencies of human flourishing, nursing judgment, professional identity and the spirit of inquiry.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the AASN graduate will:

• Human Flourishing: “Advocate for patients and families in ways that promote their self-determination, integrity and ongoing growth as human beings” (NLN, 2010, p. 38).
  1. Incorporate culturally competent, individualized plans of care focusing on services and activities that promote independence, maintain or restore health, or support a peaceful death.
• Nursing Judgment: “Make judgements in practice, substantiated with evidence, that integrate nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of patients within a family and community context” (NLN, 2010, p. 38).
  1. Utilize the nursing process as a basis for clinical judgment to optimize outcomes of care for the patient, family and community.
  2. Advocate for access and quality of care for patients
  3. Apply evidence-based practice to support clinical decision making in the provision of safe quality care.
• Professional Identity: “Implement one’s role as a nurse in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practices and an evolving identify as a nurse committed to evidence- based practice, caring, advocacy, and safe quality care for diverse patients within a family and community context” (NLN, 2010, p. 38).
  1. Exhibit professional behaviors/practice as defined by the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing.
  2. Establish and maintain effective/therapeutic communication in collaboration with patients, families, significant others and members of the health care team.
  3. Use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision making.
• Spirit of Inquiry: “Examine evidence that underlies clinical nursing practice to challenge the status quo, question underlying assumptions and new insights to improve the quality of care for patients, families and communities” (NLN, 2010, p. 38).
  1. Utilize evidence-based literature/research for use in nursing practice.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

All students who are admitted to EKU and declare their major as Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) are admitted as pre-associate degree nursing majors. However, admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the AASN program. Students are eligible to be considered for admission to the AASN program only after having been admitted to the University. 

Applicants are eligible to be considered for admission who have:

1. Met University requirements for proficiency in English, reading and mathematics.
2. Met the Pre-College Curriculum requirements.
3. A minimum high school or college (institutional) GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Grades of “C” or better in any supporting courses that have been completed. Some support courses (BIO 307, BIO 308, and BIO 273 or MLS 209) must have been taken within five years prior to the time application is made for admission, unless an exception has been approved by the department.
5. Completed the HESI A2 exam within one year of application for admission to the AASN program. 
6. In addition to the academic criteria required for admission, applicants must meet the standards written into the Commonwealth of Kentucky Nurse Practice Act. Specifically, the Nurse Practice Act requires that each student be of good moral and ethical character, good mental and physical health, and be academically qualified to fulfill the role and responsibilities of a person licensed to practice as a professional nurse. Students must meet all clinical agency placement requirements.

Completion of eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission to the clinical nursing courses. Admission to the clinical courses is competitive and based on review of the applicants’ academic history and HESI A2 exam scores. Spaces are limited and the most qualified applicants will be selected for admission.

Progression in the Program

For progression, students must earn a grade of “C”/2.0 or better in all nursing and supporting courses. Students who fail to meet the requirements for progression must apply for readmission through the AASN Readmission Committee. Readmission to a nursing course is not guaranteed to any student. Please refer to the AASN Student Handbook for specific information on readmission procedures. The program reserves the right to alter the suggested plan as necessary to enhance a quality educational program.

For additional admission information please refer to https://nursing.eku.edu/associate-applied-science-nursing.

Students Transferring from Another Nursing Program

Transfer students must meet the following criteria in addition to admission criteria of Eastern Kentucky University and the School of Nursing:

1. The nursing credits transferred must be comparable to AASN credits for a maximum of 16 semester hours credit.
2. A complete course outline and/or syllabi must be submitted for each nursing course being evaluated for transfer credit.
3. Transfer credits must meet passing standards of the nursing program from which they are transferred.
4. Transfer credits must be from a nationally accredited program. Each transfer student’s application will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Clinical Requirements

Transportation to all clinical experiences is the responsibility of the student. Students are expected to adhere to all program and clinical agency policies and must meet all clinical agency placement requirements. To be compliant with Joint Commission regulations, clinical agency contractual agreements, and ensure a safe clinical environment the following items are required before a student can progress to a clinical experience:

    1. Proof of professional liability insurance purchased through the University.

    2. Proof of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the Health Care Professional.

    3. Proof of Rubella, Measles (Rubeola), and Mumps immunity.

    4. Proof of Hepatitis B immunity.

    5. Proof of negative Tuberculosis screening.

    6. Proof of Varicella immunity.

    7. Documentation of adult TDaP vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis).

    8. Documentation of annual Influenza vaccine.

    9. Proof of full vaccination for Covid 19.

 10. Documentation of the CHS-approved Criminal Background Check.

 11. Documentation of the CHS-approved Drug Screening.

 12. Proof of Personal Health Insurance.

 13. Other documentation as required by specific clinical facilities.

Program Requirements

CIP Code: 51.3801

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
University Graduation Requirements
General Education		36
Elements 1A and 1B with a grade of "A" or "B" of the following:
ENG 101	Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric
ENG 102	Research, Writing, and Rhetoric
ENG 105	First Year Writing Seminar
Any Element 3A or 3B
Choose from one of the following:
SOC 131	Introductory Sociology
PSY 200	Introduction to Psychology (Element E-5B) G
Choose from one of the following:
Element 2 G
Element 4 G
Student Success Seminar
HSO 100	Student Success Seminar (waived for transfers with 30+ hrs.)	1
Major Requirements
Core Courses
NSC 114	Nursing Concepts I	5
NSC 114C	Nursing Concepts Clinical	3
NSC 124	Medical-Surgical Nursing I	3
NSC 124C	Medical-Surgical Nursing I Clinical	2
NSC 126	Mental Health Nursing	2
NSC 126C	Mental Health Nursing Clinical	1
NSC 223	Medical-Surgical Nursing II	4
NSC 223C	Medical-Surgical Nursing II Clinical	2
NSC 225	Family Nursing	4
NSC 225C	Family Nursing Clinical	2
NSC 240	Med-Surgical Nursing III	4
NSC 240C	Med-Surgical Nurs III Clinical	3
NSC 250	NCLEX Review	1
NSC 255	Trends and Issues in Nursing	2
Supporting Course Requirements
BIO 307 & BIO 308	Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II	6
BIO 273	Clinical Microbiology	3-4
or MLS 209	Microbiology for Health Sciences
Choose from one of the following: (Element E-5A or B)
SOC 131	Introductory Sociology
PSY 200	Introduction to Psychology G
Total Hours		84-85

G

Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the General Education requirement above.

Specific Degree Requirements for Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree

In addition to the general requirements for the associate degree, students must earn a grade of “C”/2.0 or better in all nursing and supporting courses.