AAS Nursing Degree

Discover Nursing

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

This two-year degree is a combination of nursing and transfer credits. This Associate Degree qualifies you to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

LPN to RN Program

OCCC now offers a LPN-to-RN Bridge Program. This program offers those with an active in good standing Oregon LPN license a straightforward and accessible path to becoming a Registered Nurse.

Your first step in LPN to RN: Review this chart of pre-advising requirements.

Why Study Nursing?

As a nurse, your responsibilities will vary depending on where you choose to work. Hospital staff nurses care for a group of patients and often supervise others. They assess the needs and problems of their clients, diagnose nursing problems, and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care. The job requires technical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Nurses interact with clients and their families, as well as other members of the health care team. Your exact job activities will vary from day to day, depending on the type and condition of the clients under your care. However, each day will call for careful observation, decision-making and problem solving. Providing nursing care is both challenging and rewarding.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Learning experiences in this program are designed to assist the student in realizing the following outcomes:

Use a holistic approach to develop, implement, and evaluate plans of care for groups of patients that apply standard nursing care plans to meet individual needs.
Communicate effectively and collaboratively in a self-directed manner with patients, families, and members of the health care team.
Use first-level management skills in providing care for individuals and groups of patients.
Make decisions regarding patient care based on professional values and responsibilities at the associate degree nurse level while complying with identified legal/ethical standards (scope of practice regulations established by boards of nursing and Code of Practice guidelines established by the American Nurses Association).

Please review the list of resources below:

Nursing Course Descriptions

NUR 141 | Fundamentals of Nursing
NUR 142 | Care of Acutely Ill Patients & Developing Families 1
NUR 143 | Care of Acutely Ill Patients & Developing Families 2
NUR 241 | Care of Patients with Complex Health Problems
NUR 242 | Care of Patients in Situations of Crisis
NUR 243 | Preparation for Entry into Practice
NUR 250 | Preparation for the NCLEX-RN Exam

Advising Requirements: Nursing Applicants & Prospective Students

Please complete the following items before making an advising appointment. Current OCCC students who have been working closely with an advisor do not need to complete these items, but they may be helpful to review.

Item	Description
Review Nursing Web Page	Recommended for Review
Review Nursing Web Page	> Nursing Program Catalog
Apply to OCCC + Setup Your College Email Address	Please enter “associate of general studies” for your program IF the nursing application is not yet open. After receiving the welcome email from our college, follow the instructions to set up your college email and accounts.
*Remember to check your college email regularly for application updates and information.
Transcript Evaluation	Follow the transcript evaluation process to see what credits you have. Send over your official transcripts to registrar@oregoncoast.edu and then fill out the evaluation request form. The registrar will send a completed evaluation to your college email address.
*Please note: OCCC only accepts transcripts from regionally accredited institutions.
Program Pre-requisites:	-Required before due date of application: MTH95 + MP111 + PSY201 + PSY215 + WR121 + WR122, 123 or 227 + BI231 + BI232

	-Can be completed after admission but recommended to complete before: BI233 + BI234 + FN225 + Arts & Letters.
Additional Information	Nursing classes will be held on-site at our Newport and Lincoln City campuses. Clinicals will also be on-site in Lincoln County. You will need to plan on being here at least 3-4 days a week through mid-June, except for breaks between terms.
Apply to the Nursing Program	Follow all instructions that are listed on the application. Some key requirements include sending your letter of recommendation, a completed point sheet, and work verification form (if necessary) to the program department by the deadline.
> The application typically opens in January and closes by the end of March and can be found on the nursing web page when available.
Post Application	Be sure to check your college email for information regarding the essay, exam or interview which may be required and have an in-person component. Applicants will be selected close to June of each year.
Application Fees	There is a $200 fee that will be required as part of the application. If accepted into the program, there will be an additional $200 fee to hold your spot; this will be applied toward your tuition.
Further Questions or Assistance Needed?	Once you have reviewed the information in this document, please feel free to reach out to an Advisor/Success Coach by sending an email or making an advising appointment.
Further Questions or Assistance Needed?

How long is the OCCC nursing program?
- The program is designed to be completed in two years. However, many prerequisites must be completed before admission. These prerequisites include a number of general education courses required for the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. The program is very competitive and completing most of the general education courses before applying will assist the candidate in this process.
If I have all the general education classes completed, can I complete the program more quickly?
- The six quarters of nursing courses cannot be combined. The nursing courses at each level must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher before a student can take the nursing course at the next level. Each course is only offered once per year
Is there a time limit on math and science courses?
- No – we do not impose time limits on the math or science courses. We believe that this practice reduces barriers that may exist regarding applying for the nursing program.
What degree will I earn upon completion of the AAs Program?
- Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN).
Can I become a LPN after the first year?
- Yes, you may choose to apply to the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) after successfully completing the first year of our program.
Will I be a RN when I graduate?
- No, graduation from our program entitles you to apply to the Oregon State Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse), which is a standardized exam that the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) uses to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. When a graduate nursing student passes the NCLEX-RN, OSBN will issue a license to practice as a registered nurse, as long as you have met all the other requirements.
What’s the difference in course work between a two-year and a four-year RN program?
- In a four-year (Bachelor of Science, or BS) degree program, there are more credits required for graduation. These are usually split between liberal arts and sciences and the nursing curriculum itself. Because of the longer time frame and the higher credit requirements, students in these programs pursue subjects (both nursing and non-nursing) with greater depth and breadth than in two-year (Associate Degree, or ADN) programs. BS programs also include more information about community (public health) nursing, nursing research, and health care management than ADN programs.
Can I still get into the Nursing Program if I have a Criminal Record?
- Certain criminal violations will prevent you from becoming a licensed nurse in the State of Oregon. For a list of violations or more information contact the Oregon State Board of Nursing at 971-673-0685. You may also review this website.
What jobs can I get when I graduate?
- New graduates from ADN programs are hired by hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, and many other agencies throughout Oregon. Some specialty areas of a hospital, such as Intensive Care or the Emergency Department, may require more general experience first but also do hire new graduate RNs.
Do I need extra training to specialize?
- You will receive specialized on-the-job training in most types of jobs. However, advanced practice roles such as nurse anesthetist, nurse educator, nurse practitioner, and nurse midwife require more years of education and additional nursing degrees.
What are starting salaries for graduates of the nursing program?
- That depends on where you go to work, since nurses’ salaries vary by region and also by type of employer. Most full-time and even many part-time positions include very favorable benefits packages.
Where in Lincoln County will the nursing program classes be offered?
- The theory portion of nursing classes are offered at our Newport and Lincoln City campuses. Clinical experiences are primarily held in Lincoln County, however there may be situations in which you would need to travel out of county.
What clinical sites are used?
- We have many clinical partners throughout Lincoln County. Our clinical sites include both Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, Avamere Rehabilitation and Specialty Services, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Community Health Center, Lincoln County Public Health Department, Lincoln County Correctional Facility, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Samaritan Evergreen Hospice Signature Home Health & Hospice, and various private ambulatory care settings. We will also be utilizing high-fidelity simulation labs at the OCCC Campus for augmentation of clinical experience.
Can I choose my clinical sites?
- No, clinical sites are assigned by faculty throughout the program based on the learning needs of students and clinical availability. All students must be prepared to provide their own transportation to any clinical site during any given quarter of study. During the final quarter of the nursing program, students will be doing a senior Capstone experience with an RN. This experience is a total of 165 hours. Students will complete a survey indicating their preferences for their Capstone placement and consideration is given to the students’ choices whenever possible with no guarantees.
Is the Nursing Program considered a full-time program?
- Yes, the nursing course/work load is considered full-time and most terms are 12-13 credits. The final term of the Nursing Program is 10 credits and it will affect your financial aide as you need at least 12 credits to be considered full-time with Federal Financial Aide.
How many hours can I work and still do well in the Nursing Program?
- That varies based on the student’s academic ability and time for study. We recommend that you study two to three hours a week for every credit hour for which you are enrolled. Most students are able to be successful in the program only if working less than half-time while in the nursing program. Full-time work is possible and perhaps desirable during the summer between the first and second year of the program.
What is the first step in applying to the Nursing Program?
- Read through the entire application and all available information on the OCCC website. It will provide all the necessary forms and information on the due dates. It is also important that you meet with the Student Success Coach assigned to Nursing & Allied Health. You can find contact information for the Student Success Coaches here.
How many students apply to the Nursing Program?
- It will vary from year to year. There are always more applicants than spaces available. We typically receive between 60-100 qualified applicants per year.
How many students are accepted to the Nursing Program?
- We typically accept between 40-50 beginning students each spring into the ADN program for the following September. The number of LPN-RN students accepted vry greatly based on a variety of factors.
Do I need to be a Nursing Assistant (NA) to apply for the nursing program?
- No, but experience in the health care field is invaluable in understanding the role of the nurse.
I started a nursing program at another college. Can I enter your program mid-stream?
- It depends on availability of space, the transferability of the courses you have already completed and other factors. Please reach out to Pierce Moon, the Dean of Nursing & Allied Health to discuss a potential transfer.
Are there scholarships available for nursing students?
- Yes! Please contact your assigned Student Success Coach for more information. You may also view available scholarships here.
If I am not accepted, can I reapply?
- Yes, you may. It would be helpful to check with the nursing department or your Student Success Coach to learn how to improve your chances for acceptance the following year. You will need to fill out a new application each year you apply.
How do I contact the Nursing Program if I have more questions?
- Contact the Nursing & Allied Health Department at NursingandAlliedHealth@oregoncoast.edu
- Contact the Dean of Nursing & Allied Health

Scholarship Information

The OCCC Foundation offers several scholarships specifically for students accepted into the nursing program. Continuing nursing students and those who have applied for acceptance into the next cohort are encouraged to apply for these scholarships.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Information

As part of a consortium of Oregon Community Colleges, Oregon Coast is presenting this innovative and accessible program, designed for registered nurses who already hold an AAS degree in Nursing. Students will complete coursework online while finishing with an in-person capstone experience right here in Lincoln County.

How Do You Get Started?

Paying for School — You Have Options

Cost should never be the reason you don’t pursue a nursing degree. Your Student Success Coach can tell you about OCCC’s Financial Aid options. Schedule your meeting, below!

Your Next Steps

Your degree is waiting. Let’s not waste a moment!

Ready to start? Here’s what to do today:

Schedule an in-person or Zoom advising appointment with a Student Success Coach

Apply for admission and register for Fall term

Additional Information

Disabilities

Oregon Coast Community College is committed to providing equal opportunities for students with disabilities throughout the College community. Students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Our philosophy is to maximize your independence and self-reliance, providing a variety of support options to assist you in achieving your educational and/or vocational objectives. To receive services, you must submit documentation of your disabling condition(s) to the Vice President for Student Affairs. To initiate support services, please contact the Vice President for Student Affairs at 541-867-8511. Students are responsible for requesting, in a timely manner, accommodation and documenting the nature and extent of their disability.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

The College prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in any area, activity or operation of the College. The College also prohibits retaliation against an individual for engaging in activity protected under this policy, and interfering with rights or privileges granted under anti-discrimination laws. In addition, the College complies with applicable provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA’), and all local and state civil rights laws. Under this policy, equal opportunity for employment, admission, and participation in the College’s programs, services, and activities will be extended to all persons, and the College will promote equal opportunity and treatment through application of this policy and other College efforts designed for that purpose.

Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact either:

Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Kristina Holton
or
Director of Human Resources, Joy Gutknecht

Questions can also be mailed to their attention at 400 SE College Way, Newport, OR 97366.