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Nursing A.A.S.
Explore the nursing associate degree program at the University of Alaska Anchorage
The Associate of Applied Sciences in nursing at UAA prepares you to deliver excellent
patient care in a wide variety of acute care settings. Participate in high-fidelity
simulations throughout the program, and explore the unique challenges and opportunities
for nurses in Alaska.
Nursing scholarships and financial aid
Program scholarships, such as the Bonnie Martin McGee Memorial Nursing Scholarship, are available to help you cover tuition, fees and other college expenses. You may
also qualify for tuition waivers or departmental, university-wide and private scholarships.
Visit the UAA Office of Financial Aid to learn more.
Academic advising
Whether you’re a high school student or working professional interested in starting
or advancing your nursing career, UAA offers student advising on educational opportunities
and planning a course of study unique to your needs. Schedule an appointment with a nursing advisor today.
Tutoring
Access student resources designed to help you succeed, such as peer tutoring services for prerequisite and degree program courses.
Outreach program
UAA’s School of Nursing hosts the A.A.S. in Nursing program at outreach sites across Alaska, so you can stay in or near your hometown to complete the program
with a group of your peers. The program is available in Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham,
Homer, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kotzebue, Mat-Su, Nome, Petersburg, Sitka and Valdez.
Student organizations
Join the National Student Nurses’ Association as part of UAA’s Student Nurses’ Association. You may also be invited to join Beta Iota, UAA’s student chapter of Alpha Delta
Nu, the nursing national honor society affiliated with The National Organization for
Associate Degree Nursing.
Did you know..
Continue your nursing education in UAA School of Nursing’s R.N. to B.S.N. undergraduate degree program. Designed to help registered nurses earn a bachelor’s degree, classes are available online and statewide.
What can you do with a nursing degree from UAA?
Advanced nursing programs
After you’ve earned an associate degree in nursing, you may choose to continue your
education by completing the fully online R.N. to B.S.N. track in UAA’s Bachelor of
Science in Nursing degree program. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is required for
an increasing number of nursing jobs and opens the door to graduate programs in nursing, such as Master of Science in Nursing, graduate certificates and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Nursing careers
Most nursing majors who earn an associate nursing degree sit for and pass the National
Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). With state licensure,
you will be qualified for entry-level nursing practice in health care settings such
as hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics and community agencies.
UAA alumni are employed across Alaska and the U.S. in fields such as these:
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Pediatrics
- Women’s health
- Emergency services
- Perioperative care
- Critical care
By the numbers..
Nursing associate degree program highlights
- Gain direct work experience with clinical rotations that often lead to job offers. As a nursing major, you can work in hospital and other health care settings to develop practical skills in patient care. Clinical rotation sites include major hospitals, long-term care facilities and community health organizations.
- Get hands-on experience with clinical simulations while earning clinical hours. Work with high-fidelity manikins that mimic human vital signs and responses in UAA’s skills lab.
- Challenge and enhance your skills in the Nursing Resource Center, with two skills labs and a computer lab. The Center provides a supportive learning environment for holistic patient care where you can hone your skills while being guided by faculty.
- Conduct in-depth research and database searches in the Alaska Medical Library. The specialized medical reference service includes MEDLINE and CINAHL for access to journal publications, collections of clinical medicine and nursing journal titles and health reference materials and indexes, as well as one-on-one assistance.
Amazing stories from nursing majors
The faculty at UAA’s School of Nursing are amazing. Sometimes we forget that every nurse was once a student and they are here to facilitate our learning and help us become the great nurses that we know we can be. Nursing professors support you; they reach out if you are having problems on a test or assignments, and they work with you to get you where you need to be. They push you to do your best and they give you the tools to be able to do so.
Nursing associate degree program curriculum
With an emphasis on physical health and multidisciplinary collaboration, the associate
degree in nursing at the University of Alaska Anchorage prepares you to work with
other professions related to health care, such as the justice system and law enforcement.
Coursework is aligned to national industry standards, so you build on a strong foundation
of knowledge and skills while learning to think on your feet and apply information
to different situations.
Top classes for nursing majors
- Care for mothers from conception to delivery in Perinatal Nursing.
- Learn how to use current nursing technology such as electronic health records for charting in Nursing Fundamentals.