Back to Top

STUDENT SERVICES

Learn more about our services, in-person hours and other resources.


Nursing students in lab instruction.

If you want to make a difference through hands-on care, nursing may be the path for you. Anne Arundel Community College's Nursing department has an outstanding reputation and the express goal to prepare excellent nurses who are readily employed in the most respected profession in the United States. Our students practice simulated nursing skills in a college lab with state-of-the-art equipment and have continually exceeded national and state pass-rate averages. They also receive a variety of clinical experiences in hospitals on acute medical-surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and critical care units; emergency rooms and operating rooms; in extended care and rehabilitation facilities; with home health and community health agencies; and in psychiatric facilities.


Degrees

AACC’s Nursing department is proud to offer the Associate of Science (A.S.) in Nursing accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN) and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. 

Nursing A.S.

Are you ready for a career as a registered nurse? Anne Arundel Community College can help! In our 70-credit Registered Nursing program you will gain hands-on experience through simulated skills practice in our state-of-the-art laboratories and clinical settings.

Successful students will earn an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. With full-time enrollment, students can complete the program in three years.

Certification
Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Our graduates have a higher than average pass rate, both at the state and national level.

Loading... in the AACC College Catalog.

Registered Nursing Program Outcomes

Nursing, LPN, Paramedic, Veterans to RN Advanced Placement, A.S.

AACC and the American Public University System (APUS) have created an accelerated dual enrollment program that combines credential assessment, credit transfer and online education to enable LPN's, Paramedics or Veterans admission into the second year of the registered nursing program at AACC.

Loading... in the AACC College Catalog.

Nursing, Arts & Science Transfer, A.S.

The field of nursing includes a number of different career paths. For some, earning a Bachelor's  of Science in Nursing (BSN) will allow them greater involvement in patient care, including healthcare administration, research or clinical teaching positions. The Nursing Transfer, A.S. will allow you to transfer to both in and out-of-state four-year colleges to complete your degree.

Loading... in the AACC College Catalog.

Note: this degree is offered through the Department of Biology. Questions should be directed to the Science office at 410-777-2260 or science@aacc.edu.

Credit Certificates

Practical Nursing (PN)

A licensed practical nurse or LPN performs a variety of tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse. These tasks may include administering medicine, measuring and recording vitals, and providing general bedside care. AACC’s 41-credit Practical Nursing program offers opportunities to work with state-of-the-art equipment and is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. You will gain hands-on clinical experience in hospitals, on acute medical-surgical, obstetrical and pediatric units; in extended care and rehabilitation facilities; with home health and community health agencies; and through outpatient psychiatric experiences. This evening and weekend program takes one academic year to complete.

Certification
Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a certificate. Successful graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination-PN (NCLEX-PN). Our graduates have a higher than average pass rate, both at the state and national level. Upon successful completion of this exam, graduates will be licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse by the Maryland Board of Nursing. For the most current NCLEX pass rates please go to Maryland Board of Nursing.

Loading... in the AACC College Catalog.


Program Statistics

Registered Nursing Program On Time Completion

On Time Completion
(4 semesters/AP 3 Semesters/Benchmark=45%)

Term Graduated

Aggregate

Face to Face

Advanced
Placement
(LPN/Veteran/
Paramedic
)

Spring 2020

64%

63%

100%

Fall 2020

63%

62%

100%

Spring 2021

49%

49%

None

Fall 2021*

54%

55%

50%

Spring 2022

60%

58%

80%

Fall 2022

51%

47%

82%

*COVID-19

Performance on Registered Nurse Licensure Exam

Term Graduated

Aggregate

Face to Face

Advanced
Placement
(LPN/Veteran/ Paramedic)

Fall 2019

96%

96%

100%

Spring 2020

97%

97% 100%

Fall 2020

95% 95% 100%

Spring 2021

92% 92% N/A

Fall 2021*

85% 84% 100%

Spring 2022

87% 86% 91%

Fall 2022

Pending Pending Pending

Graduate success on licensure is a significant benchmark for any nursing program. Graduates' success on the RN-NCLEX is calculated by the graduating cohort.

View additional program completion statistics.


What can you do with a degree in nursing?

Choose from hundreds of specialties as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, technician or nursing assistant. Our registered nursing graduates work in Baltimore-Washington area hospitals, including the shock trauma unit, home health agencies, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, and health departments as school nurses. Graduates who live outside the region readily find employment. Locally, starting salaries for new graduates average more than $47,000 per year for full-time employment.

For outlook information about specific careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics).


Licensed Nurse Refresher

AACC’s School of Continuing Education offers this two-course continuing education program which is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The program is offered twice a year and successful completion awards students a nursing certification as well as an AACC continuing education certificate.

Learn more about the Licensed Nurse Refresher.


Learning Outcomes

Nursing Program Outcomes

The AACC Nursing program will demonstrate:

  1. Evidence of the graduates' achievement on the licensure exam with a pass rate of at least 92% for all first-time test-takers during the same 12-month period.
  2. Evidence of the graduates’ achievement in 60% completion of the Nursing program.
  3. Evidence of the graduates’ achievement in job placement in the nursing field of at least 90% within 12 months of graduation (this is self-reported data).
  4. Evidence of the program satisfaction:
    a. 75% of the graduating class reports satisfaction with the Nursing program at AACC graduation regarding preparation of End of Program Student Learning Outcomes.
    b. 75% of the graduates’ report satisfaction with performing at RN student learning outcomes level of achievement in employment.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Utilize the five steps of the nursing process to determine and provide nursing care that is holistic, systematic, evidence-based, safe and grounded in understanding of the sciences, humanities, cultural diversity and nursing theory (Care Provider).
  2. Analyze data, question assumptions and approach all clients with a curiosity resulting in safe clinical decisions that improve quality of care (Investigator).
  3. Implement one’s role as a professional in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practices and an evolving identity as a nurse (Professional).
  4. Collaborate with clients, families and the health care team to provide coordinated care that is holistic, safe and individualized for multiple clients in diverse health care settings (Collaborator).
  5. Utilize teaching and learning strategies to promote knowledge that optimizes decisions related to health and wellness for clients, families, peers and the community (Educator).
  6. Utilize professional and therapeutic communication strategies with clients, families and the health care team to promote positive client outcomes (Communicator).

This program aligns with the college’s core competencies.


Accreditation

The associate degree nursing program at Anne Arundel Community College is in accordance with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) records located in Arnold, Maryland, and is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Anne Arundel Community College associate degree in nursing program is continuing accreditation through fall 2029.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

A copy of the Board of Commissioners Accreditation Letter may be obtained from:

Anne Arundel Community College
Nursing Office
101 College Parkway
Health and Life Science Building, Room 270
Arnold, MD 21012
410-777-7276

Questions?

We’re here to help. 

School of Health Sciences

Health Sciences Admissions

410-777-7310

Send Email

Health Sciences Applicants

Riverhawks in Focus

Bea Evangelista

 

Choosing to attend AACC allowed me to have a flexible schedule ... Once I finish school and graduate with my bachelor’s, I plan on working at a children’s hospital as a pediatric nurse while still attending school part time to earn my master’s degree.

-Bea Evangelista, nursing student