Program Details
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical Nurses
Associate of Applied ScienceLaurel Ridge Community College
The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS): Advanced Placement Option (APO) for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is designed to prepare students with a current, unrestricted LPN license in the Commonwealth of Virginia to master entry level registered nurse knowledge while recognizing their education and skill level as a current LPN. Students will integrate the art of nursing skills with the science of health education to provide holistic client care. Upon satisfactory completion of this program, the student will be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination (NCLEX-RN), for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Opportunities for the entry level RN include employment in a myriad of health care settings.
Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS): Advanced Placement Option (APO) for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is designed to prepare students with a current, unrestricted LPN license in the Commonwealth of Virginia to master entry level registered nurse knowledge while recognizing their education and skill level as a current LPN. Students will integrate the art of nursing skills with the science of health education to provide holistic client care. Upon satisfactory completion of this program, the student will be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination (NCLEX-RN), for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Opportunities for the entry level RN include employment in a myriad of health care settings. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Only students admitted into the degree program may enroll in NSG courses.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | This program is G3 eligible. IN-DEMAND credentials and education programs that are eligible for more funding than ever before through the G3 Scholarship. This is a competetive enrollment program, meaning students must apply and be accepted in order to complete the program. Not all applicants will be accepted. The application includes course and GPA requirements, an entrance exam, physical examination, immunications, criminal background check, drug screening, and more. For full details please visit our website. |
Doing More With Your Degree | Upon satisfactory completion of this program, the student will be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination (NCLEX-RN), for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Opportunities for the entry level RN include employment in a myriad of health care settings. Students completing the Associate Degree in Nursing may choose to transfer into a Bachelor's of Nursing program at another college or university. |
Program Successes & Highlights | The Laurel Ridge Community College AAS program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, the State Board for Community Colleges, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), and the Southern Association of College and Schools (SACSCOC). It is accredted by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). |
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students transferring to Laurel Ridge with an Associate Degree or higher already completed will be able to transfer in applicable credits to their degree and will have SDV 100 waived. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://laurelridge.edu/credit-for-prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market. We offer many courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. Our student life team offers many ways for students to get involved including clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | The catalog year in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into their curriculum at Laurel Ridge. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog placement is tied to semester start selected in the application. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://laurelridge.edu/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Lpn To Rn Bridge | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AAS Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-BSN Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing - Hybrid Distance Education | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Nursing, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Nursing Associate of Applied Science Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | LPN To RN - Nursing Associate of Applied Science Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Online (RN to BSN) Completion Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Traditional (Pre-licensure) Baccalaureate Completion Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Nursing, BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Nursing BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Nursing: RN to BSN Degree Completion BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BSN in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Old Dominion University | Nursing-BSN | Bachelor | BS in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapy | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Science Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | BSN Option for RN to MSN | Bachelor | BSN Option for RN to MSN | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Major in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
University of Mary Washington | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Nursing, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Marymount University | Nursing (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | Online |
Germanna Community College | General Studies - Specialization Pre-BSN Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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29-2061.00 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
31-1131.00 | Nursing Assistants | Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants. | Healthcare Support Occupations |
29-1141.01 | Acute Care Nurses | Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.02 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.04 | Clinical Nurse Specialists | Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.03 | Critical Care Nurses | Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
25-1072.00 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
29-1141.00 | Registered Nurses | Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |