Associate's Degree in Nursing

When you graduate with your Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (AAS in Nursing), commonly known as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you're likely to be among the more than 90% of NYSCAS nursing students who pass the RN licensing exam on their first try.

With your degree, you'll be prepared to work in many different healthcare workplaces. NYSCAS graduates can be found on the staff at:

• Hospitals
• Medical offices
• Specialty clinics
• Nursing homes
• Home care agencies
• Public health departments
• And more

Multiple Paths to Becoming a Nurse

Nurses are in high demand nationwide, with thousands of new jobs added each year. At NYSCAS, you can pursue your RN training through the program option that fits your lifestyle best:

Both paths prepare you for NCLEX-RN, the nursing licensure exam. You'll also gain key skills in patient care, clinical decision-making, and healthcare technology.

Learn From Nursing Experts Who Are Where You Want To Be

Your professors are practicing nurses who bring real healthcare experience to the classroom. You'll learn in small classes where your instructors know you by name, understand your goals, and support your plans for the future.

You'll also train alongside Touro students from other healthcare programs like and physical therapy, preparing you for the team-based approach used in healthcare today.

Practice in State-of-the-Art Simulation Labs

Before working with real patients, you'll practice nursing skills in our advanced simulation labs. Our simulation labs have high-fidelity manikins capable of monitoring and part task trainers for you to practice clinical skills and procedures. Our simulation labs include ventilators, IV pumps, and electrocardiograph machines, along with other equipment commonly found in hospitals and healthcare settings. You’ll experience realistic scenarios to help you prepare for situations like:

• Helping new mothers with complications.
• Treating patients with breathing problems.
• Responding to heart attacks.
• Caring for sick children.

After each practice session, you'll reflect on how it went and discuss what you learned with your professors. This helps you think critically when facing similar situations in real clinical settings.

Nursing Program Highlights

Graduate in 5 semesters ready to start your career.

100% of our graduates who sought employment secured nursing positions within the first year following graduation.

Our students’ first time NCLEX pass rate is over 90%.

Student Spotlight: Hailey's Olympic Experience Offered the Resilience Necessary for a Nursing Career

Before coming to NYSCAS, Hailey competed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as a pairs figure skater for Israel. Her skating career taught her focus, discipline, and how to recover from setbacks. Now, she's relying on those same traits to help her master the skills to become an ER or surgical nurse.

"As a nurse, you need to always remain focused," she says. "When I was skating professionally, the margin of error is so slim that if you lose your focus for even one second you could fall."

Hailey chose NYSCAS because she could continue to teach skating while pursuing her nursing degree. "As a nurse, I’m sure that I will encounter challenging patients and situations," she says. "As long as I'm patient, optimistic and focused, I'm confident that I'll be able to deal with whatever comes my way."

What You'll Learn (and When You'll Learn It)

Your nursing education builds across five semesters:

• First semester: Build science knowledge through anatomy, physiology, and chemistry while developing communication skills.
• Middle semesters: Learn the art and science of nursing, medication administration, and patient care while beginning hospital rotations.
• Final semesters: Advance to complex care scenarios, mental health nursing, and maternal-child care while preparing for professional practice.

Clinical Immersion: Real-world Experience That Brings It All Together

As you move through the program, you'll apply your skills in healthcare departments across the city. Clinical rotations can include:

• Medical-surgical units where you'll care for adults with a range of health conditions.
• Telemetry departments where you'll monitor patients with heart conditions.
• Mental health practices where you'll support people through emotional and relationship challenges.
• Maternal and pediatric care where you'll work with new mothers, infants, and children.
• Skilled nursing facilities where you'll provide long-term care to patients.

You'll have your first clinical rotation in your first semester of nursing courses. You'll receive extensive hands-on training throughout the program. In most semesters, you'll complete at least 120 hours of clinical experience between direct patient care and dedicated practice time in the skills laboratory and simulation laboratory.

In your final semester, you'll complete a seven-week clinical immersion experience. This intensive rotation mimics full-time nursing practice. It's designed to help you transition from student to professional nurse — and to give you confidence as you enter the workforce.

Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Sees Firsthand How Nurses Make a Difference

Anthony worked in healthcare administration for seven years before starting at NYSCAS in 2020. As a first-year student, he had a lightbulb moment when he helped at COVID vaccine clinics that Touro held in the early months of the pandemic.

He remembers seeing lots of people with jitters when he worked alongside nursing faculty to register patients and monitor them for side effects after vaccination. "While some people were nervous about getting their shots, the support from NYSCAS nursing students helped put them at ease," he remembers. This personal touch showed him the impact he could make in his future career.

Anthony also appreciated the support he got at every step of the nursing program. "The faculty are so dedicated," he says. "They truly love to help their students strive for the best."

Partnership Opportunity: Free Tuition Through VNS Health

NYSCAS has a partnership with a longstanding New York City health services agency, VNS Health, to offer free nursing education in exchange for a two-year work commitment after graduation.

This opportunity allows you to:

• Get your entire degree paid for.
• Line up a job before you graduate.
• Seamlessly launch your career in home, mental health, and community health programs across New York City.

The program is open to both current VNS Health employees and to new students who are willing to commit to working at the agency. Interested? Contact us for details.

Pathways to Advanced Nursing Degrees

Many nurses find satisfying careers without going on to a bachelor's or master's degree. But if you want to continue your studies, Touro offers several ways to advance your education.

Touro University School of Health Sciences nursing programs:

• RN to BSN: This two-year bachelor's degree track is for licensed nurses (RN) — like graduates of NYSCAS' ADN program — who want to earn a bachelor's and further their nursing career. BSN credentials also may command a higher salary.
• DNP: Advanced practice nursing degrees are for those who want to become nurse-leaders or specialize in fields like critical care, pediatrics, or oncology. Touro's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program has a focus on family medicine. Graduates are prepared to sit for the family nurse practitioner (FNP) certificate exam.

Other Touro nursing programs:

• Touro University Nevada: Multiple degree programs designed to help nurses take the next career step. Choose from bachelor’s (RN-BSN), master’s (MSN-FNP) and doctoral (DNP in leadership) programs as well as a post-MSN track for FNP certification.
• Touro University California: Accelerated, hybrid degree programs for working nurses looking to advance in their careers. Offerings include MSN, FNP and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Accreditation

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing program is fully accredited by the New York State Board of Regents, one of the U.S. Department of Education's recognized specialty accreditors of nursing programs. Graduates of this program may sit for the NCLEX exam (National Council Licensure Examination) and qualify to become a Registered Nurses (RN).