Program Details
Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing
Associate of Applied ScienceMountain Empire Community College
The purpose of the Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program (VATNP) and other nursing programs of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is to provide affordable, community access to quality nursing education. The VCCS nursing programs prepare qualified students to provide safe, competent, entry-level nursing care in 21st century healthcare environments. Students are prepared to meet the ever-increasing complexity of the healthcare needs of the citizens of Virginia.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Client-Centered Care - Provide client-centered care promoting therapeutic relationships, caring behaviors, and
self-determination across the lifespan for diverse populations.
2. Safety - Practice safe nursing care that minimizes risk of harm across systems and client populations.
3. Clinical Judgment - Demonstrate nursing judgment through the use of clinical reasoning, the nursing process,
and evidence-based practice in the provision of safe, quality care
4. Professional Behaviors - Practice professional behaviors that encompass the legal/ethical framework while incorporating
self-reflection, leadership and a commitment to recognize the value of life-long learning.
5. Quality Improvement - Manage client care through quality improvement processes, information technology, and
fiscal responsibility to meet client needs and support organizational outcomes
6. Collaboration - Demonstrate principles of collaborative practice within the nursing and interdisciplinary teams
fostering mutual respect and shared decision-making to achieve stated outcomes of care.
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Program Overview & Guidance

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This Degree Right For Me? | The mission of the Mountain Empire Community College Nursing Program (AAS in Nursing degree) and other nursing programs of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is to provide affordable, community access to quality nursing education. The VCCS nursing programs prepare qualified students to provide safe, competent, entry-level nursing care in 21st century healthcare environments. Students are prepared to meet the ever-increasing complexity of the healthcare needs of the citizens of Virginia. Upon successful completion of the program, qualified graduates have the opportunity to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) leading to licensure as a registered nurse. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students should have English and Mathematics skills assessed. Deficiencies in these areas may be corrected by completing the appropriate developmental studies courses. Admission to the Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program is a selective process. The program is open to applicants who are free of any physical or mental condition that might |
What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses |
An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program. Admission to the nursing program is a selective and competitive process. The program is open to applicants who are free of any physical or mental condition that might adversely affect performance as a member of the nursing profession.
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Are there other program requirements beyond specific courses? | The two-year Associate of Applied Science degree curriculum in Nursing is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as contributing members of the healthcare team, rendering direct patient care as beginning practitioners of nursing in a variety of healthcare settings. This is a rigorous and academically challenging program. |
Do More With Your Degree | The occupational objective of Nursing graduates is to secure and sustain employment as a registered nurse providing nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and/or populations in a variety of health care settings. |
Program Successes & Highlights | The nursing program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000, www.acenursing.org. ACEN is officially recognized as the national accrediting agency for nursing education by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation (COPA) and by the U.S. Department of Education. |
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 transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
Credit for Prior Learning | VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1 |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Mountain Empire Community College's mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce. Mountain Empire Community College's mission is fulfilled through the following avenues: General Education, Career-Technical Education, Transfer Education, Developmental Studies, Dual Enrollment, Distance Education, Student Services, Workforce Development, and Community Services. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level |
---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Virginia Community College | Nursing, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
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 |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Major in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science 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 |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | 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 Educ | 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 |
Radford University | BSN in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-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 |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - 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 |
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 |
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 |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Marymount University | Nursing (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-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 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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 |