Program Details
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Associate of Applied ScienceTidewater Community College
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Nursing prepares students who wish to pursue careers as Registered Nurses (RNs). Graduates may seek employment in acute care, doctor's offices, health departments, home health services, hospices, long-term care facilities, and mental health and rehabilitation centers. Students take courses in both theoretical and practical applications of nursing care. The program integrates clinical laboratory practice using state-of-the-art patient care simulators and laboratory equipment for enhanced preparation in the field of health care.
Admission to the Nursing program is competitive; therefore, admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the program. Detailed information regarding the admission criteria, selection process, etc. can be found in the Beazley School of Nursing Admissions Procedures and Information Booklet, which can be reviewed or downloaded from the tcc.edu website (search keywords "nursing admission procedures"). Prospective nursing students must also attend a Nursing Program Information Session, which is held on the Portsmouth Campus. Please see the Nursing Program Information Session schedule online at tcc.edu (search keywords "nursing information session").
LPN to RN Options
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who wish to pursue their RN course work have one option: Advanced Placement. Additional information can be found in the Nursing Admission Procedures and Information Booklet or online at tcc.edu (search keywords "LPN to RN").
The Paramedic/RT to RN program option is offered at the Portsmouth campus for licensed paramedics and registered respiratory therapists seeking placement into the nursing program. Applications for the Paramedic/RT to RN program option are accepted during the January 15 – February 15 admission cycle. Students admitted to the Paramedic/RT to RN program option begin in summer semester and take NSG 116 Concepts for Health Professions Transition, NSG 200 Health Promotion and Assessment, and NSG 130 Professional Nursing Concepts courses. Upon successful completion, students move into the second semester of the program. When applying, indicate the Paramedic/RT to RN Program Option.
TCC's Beazley School of Nursing program has been awarded Continuing Accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org. The Nursing program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
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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Is This Degree Right For Me? | Yes, if you:
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What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses |
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Are there other program requirements beyond specific courses? | |
Do More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | TCC had 47 graduates in 2020-21, 118 graduates in 2019-20, 84 graduates in 2018-19, 72 graduates in 2017-18, and 88 graduates in 2016-17 in the AAS program in Nursing. |
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 | The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
Credit for Prior Learning | TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/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? | At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.
https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

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