The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Nursing is intended for students seeking a career as a Registered Nurse. The program prepares students to practice professional nursing in a variety of settings. Upon completion of the program, students will be awarded an AAS degree and are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination (NCLEX-RN), leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Note: Not a nationally accredited program.  Check with individual states for specific licensure or scope of practice requirements.

Entry Requirements

This is a restricted-entry program. Students are required to submit an application to the College and a separate application to the nursing program. A total of forty-six (46) credits of specific prerequisites must be completed. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better prior to beginning the nursing program. Twenty-eight (28) of the forty-six (46) credits must be completed by the end of fall term preceding application and must include BI231Z Human Anatomy & Physiology I (or BI231) Selection of applicants is based on a point system described in the application/information packet. 

Acceptance to the program allows for co-admission to the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) nursing program. Students are eligible to complete a bachelor's degree in nursing from OHSU.

Information about the Nursing program may also be obtained on myLakerLink in the Program Forms section (https://mylakerlink.socc.edu/ICS/Admissions/Program_Specific_Forms.jnz). For more information, contact the administrative assistant at 541-888-7443 or the dean at 541-888-7085.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 109 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Students must complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• Act personally and professionally based on a set of shared core nursing values.
• Develop insight through reflection, self-analysis, and self-care.
• Engage in ongoing intentional learning.
• Demonstrate leadership in nursing and health care.
• Collaborate as part of a health care team.
• Practice within, utilize, and contribute to the broader health care system.
• Practice relationship-centered care.
• Communicate effectively.
• Make sound clinical judgments.
• Locate, evaluate and use the best available evidence in making practice decisions.

Pre-Program Courses 

Twenty-eight (28) of the forty-six (46) credits must be completed by the end of fall term preceding application and must include BI231Z Human Anatomy & Physiology I (or BI231). A student must have eight (8) credits of writing.

RN Program Guide

¹

ANTH222 or ANTH223 may be substituted for ANTH221

²

BI112 or BI221Z is a prerequisite to BI231Z and BI234. Students must have completed BI231Z (or BI231) prior to submitting an application. BI231Z, BI232Z, and BI233Z (or BI231, BI232, and BI233) must have been completed within the last seven years.

³

MTH105Z or higher, excluding MTH211 will satisfy this requirement. If a student is planning on attending OHSU for the RN to BSN program, recommend taking STAT243Z.

⁴

PE231 or three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses will satisfy this requirement.

⁵

BI112 or BI221Z is a prerequisite to BI234.

⁶

WR227Z may be substituted for WR122Z.