Nursing - Associate of Applied Science (Major Code - NUR)

Accredited by both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN), the Nursing Associate of Applied Science program provides a comprehensive exploration of physical and psychosocial health issues throughout the lifespan. Key topics include stress responses, growth and development variations, and nursing interventions, with an emphasis on effective communication and the nursing process.

Admission requires completion of prerequisites, and coursework follows a specific sequence. Active participation in clinical rotations in various locations across Cochise County and beyond, is mandatory for exposure to diverse healthcare settings.  Clinical experiences focus on developing skills in assessment analysis, client specific care, discharge planning, community nursing, and leadership.

Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for nursing licensure, though success in the program does not guarantee licensure by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. 

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to do the following:

  • Evaluate client biophysical and psychosocial influences to make accurate clinical judgments about a diverse range of client needs and responses to acute, chronic or life threatening health conditions and treatments across the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
  • Generate, implement and evaluate customized comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, patient-centered care suitable for treating acute, chronic and life-threatening conditions across the lifespan continuum per policies, procedures, and industry regulations that govern a variety of healthcare settings..
  • Implement, delegate and oversee safe, correct, effective delivery, documentation, and evaluation of prescribed pharmacological, parenteral, and other appropriate therapies and procedures across the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
  • Utilize critical thinking skills, evidence-based practice, teamwork, and informatics to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care, risk management, safety measures on patient outcomes and modify appropriately as needed across the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
  • Exhibit personal accountability, ethical standards, cost-effective care and preventative safety measures to promote health and well-being of clients and their support person(s) across the lifespan in various healthcare settings.  

Degree Map

YEAR 1 GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS 27 CREDITS

BIO 201Human Anatomy and Physiology I***

4

BIO 202Human Anatomy and Physiology II***

4

BIO 205Microbiology***

4

ENG 101Composition**

3

OR

ENG 101LComposition with Support Lab*

3

MAT 142College Mathematics***

3

OR

MAT 142LCollege Mathematics with Support Lab*

3

NUR 203Pharmacology Essentials for the Health Professional**

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology**

3

PSY 240Developmental Psychology**

3

Notes:

BIO 201, BIO 202, and BIO 205 with a grade of B or better, current within 7 years

MAT 142 or MAT 142L witha  grade of B or better

NUR 203 with a grade of B or better, current within 5 years

PSY 101 and PSY 240 with a grade of C or better

YEAR 2:

SPRING SEMESTER 12 CREDITS

NUR 123Nursing II-A*

6

NUR 124Nursing II-B*

6

FALL SEMESTER 14 CREDITS

NUR 121AMedication Math I**

2

NUR 122Nursing I Fundamentals of Nursing*

12

LPN TO RN ADVANCED PATHWAY PLACEMENT STUDENTS ONLY:

PREREQUISITES

  • Active Arizona License in Practical Nursing (LPN) and proof of one year work experience as an LPN
  • HESI: LPN to ADN Entrance Examination of 900 or higher.
PSY 101Introduction to Psychology**

3

SUMMER SEMESTER 6 CREDITS (LPN TO RN PATHWAY)

NUR 121AMedication Math I**

2

NUR 130LPN to Professional Nurse I**

4

YEAR 3:

FALL SEMESTER 14 CREDITS

NUR 121BMedication Math II**

2

NUR 232Nursing III*

12

SPRING SEMESTER 12 CREDITS

NUR 233Nursing IV*

12

TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 79-83 CREDITS

Students admitted into the Nursing AAS program who have a current AZ LPN license, have one year of work experience as an LPN, and have scored a 900 or higher on the HESI LPN to ADN entrance examination may be admitted into the advanced LPN to RN pathway. Students admitted into this pathway will receive credit for NUR 122, NUR 123 and NUR 124. These students will be required to take NUR 130 in the summer prior to taking NUR 232.