Associate of Applied Science in Nursing - IDL

The Nursing, Associate of Applied Science (AASN-IDL) program is 90 academic weeks in length and includes 129 credit hours and 1,840 clock hours of instruction (800 lecture hours and 1,040 lab/clinical hours). Programmatic instruction includes laboratory and clinical experience in medical, surgical, pediatric, adult, geriatric and community practice, plus general education courses.

The program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the educational requirements of the Oregon State Board of Nursing to be considered for the NCLEX-RN exam, leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse. It is offered at the IOT Salem, Oregon campus.

Salem’s Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) programs combine convenient online learning with face-to-face classroom and lab experiences, created to provide hands-on, in-person training and a flexible schedule. Licensure fees for the nursing programs (fingerprinting, background, application and testing) are covered by Institute of Technology.

The educational pathway blends classroom learning, hands-on clinical lab skills, simulation exercises and clinical practicum experience to build critical thinking and clinical judgement. Clinical and coursework areas include medical/surgical, pediatric, mother/newborn, adult health, geriatric and community health nursing, IV therapy, legal and professional issues, and nursing leadership and management.

All applicants first meet with an Admissions Representative (in person or virtually) and with Financial Aid, must be at least 18 years of age (verified through a government-issued ID), and must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid GED, or proof of completing an officially recognized and accredited home-school program. IDL applicants must pass the online Computer Literacy and Internet Knowledge (CLIK) pre-assessment.

Due to limited enrollment, all prospective AASN-IDL students must complete an application packet; incomplete packets are not scored, and denied students can apply for the following term. The scoring rubric typically reviews the Comprehensive Quiz (Requirements and Policies), CLIK, HESI A2, Wonderlic SLE or SLE-Q, a panel interview by the Nursing Committee, required immunizations and a letter of recommendation. Applicants must pass the HESI A2 at the 75th percentile cumulative score (reading comprehension and math) and submit to a criminal background check.

Required before enrollment: MMR, Tdap, Hepatitis B and varicella immunizations; AHA BLS CPR certification and TB screening are due at the start of the 6th term.

This is a hybrid program: classes are conducted on campus and online for 90 weeks, with on-campus attendance required at least one day per week during each academic week (Monday through Sunday). The program includes a 150-hour off-site Nursing Clinical Practicum, 180 hours of on-campus Clinical Simulations and 30 hours of community health nursing; practicum hours may differ from scheduled on-campus days.

Day sessions run 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; there is no night session. The current addenda list an April 6, 2026 start ending March 16, 2028.

Graduates will be prepared to contribute to a broad range of entry-level occupations in the nursing field. Job opportunities exist in physician offices, clinics, home health agencies, corrections, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals and other health agencies.

On completion, graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and have their name submitted to the Oregon State Board of Nursing as a candidate for the NCLEX-RN; passing it and gaining Oregon licensure entitles the graduate to use the RN credential. IOT states the curriculum meets licensure requirements in Oregon and has not determined whether it meets requirements in other states.

All students must participate in lab/clinical and practicum settings, including simulation, to receive a degree, and must meet all immunization, screening and CPR requirements of the program and practicum site. All midterm and final exams are conducted on campus. Uniforms are required; textbooks, uniforms and course materials are provided or purchased by the student.

Applicants with a criminal record may petition the Oregon State Board of Nursing for a predetermination, and staff cannot determine any candidate’s ability to sit for the NCLEX-RN.