Associate Degrees in Nursing
One of the most common ways to become a Registered Nurse (RN) is to attain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). These degrees lead directly to entry-level nursing jobs in a variety of settings and prepares the student to take an RN licensing exam.
Job prospects for graduates of an ADN program are excellent as demand for nurses continues to grow. These degrees also provide a great start towards earning a bachelor's or master's degree for those who choose continue their education.
Program Options
ADN programs provide a general, practical nursing education that is typically completed in two to three years for those attending full-time. In many ADN programs, those who have completed a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program can get credit for classes already taken and can therefore complete the program in less time.
Schools
ADN programs are available at community colleges, junior colleges and, increasingly, at many online schools. Many schools offer flexible schedules and online courses to make it more convenient for those who are working while attending school. Online schools coordinate with medical facilities close to the student's home to provide clinical experience. In some states, there is a shortage of nursing programs so it is wise to apply early in case there is a waiting list.
Coursework
Many ADN programs require students fulfill prerequisites of anatomy and microbiology before starting the program. Along with supervised clinical experience, the following are some examples of courses a student will take:
- Foundations of Nursing Care – This is an introductory course where students learn the history and concepts of nursing practice, decision-making frameworks and basic nursing skills.
- Principles of Clinical Decision Making - This course teaches the principles of clinical decision making and may include topics such as pain management, immune system diseases, respiratory diseases and infectious diseases.
- Maternity Nursing Care – Students learn about nursing care for women during the childbearing period including prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum periods as well as care for newborn infants.
- Pharmacology – Nursing students learn about drug classifications, dosage, administration, side effects, interactions and impact on body systems.
- Pediatric Nursing - Nursing care of pediatric patients from infancy through adolescence is examined. Physical development, psychological development and health as well as social factors are studied.
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Care - Topics covered in this course will include preoperative and postoperative care, fluid and medication administration and how psychological factors can impact outcomes.
Clinical experience requirements are completed at hospitals and other care facilities such as residential care, home health agencies, ambulatory clinics and public health departments.
Admission Requirements
Due to the high demand for these programs, many ADN programs are fairly selective about who is admitted. They may look at standardized test scores, entrance exam scores and prior college experience to determine who is most likely to succeed in the program. Some schools require specific science courses be completed as prerequisites.
Career Options
The majority of ADN graduates start their careers caring for patients in hospital settings. After gaining experience, some nurses move on to other settings such as doctor's offices, home health care, nursing homes or community health clinics. Once employed, many nurses take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs provided by their employer to continue school to earn their bachelor's or master's degree in nursing.
Related Degrees
There are three other routes one can take to start a career as a nurse:
- Licensed Practical Nurse program – typically a 12-15 month program.
- Diploma RN program – These 18-36 month programs, offered at hospitals, are becoming rare.
- Bachelor RN program – These are four-year nursing programs.
Additionally, there are Masters degree programs, referred to as Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) programs that lead to one of four designations:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Clinical Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
How to Evaluate Associate Degree in Nursing Programs
When looking for an ADN program, the following considerations should be taken into account:
- Waiting Lists - If there is a waiting list, determine if the length of the wait is acceptable or look for other alternatives.
- Accreditation and state approval - The school needs to have received accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It also needs to be approved by the state where licensure will be pursued.
- Online schools - Online schools may have more openings and shorter waiting lists that traditional nursing schools but, since they have to get approval at the state level, these programs may not be available to all students. Additionally, students should make sure the location where clinicals are to be done is close enough to be practical.
- Flexibility – For working adults and those with families, the flexibility to take classes at night, on weekends and online may be the only realistic way to attend a program.
Resources
American Association of Colleges of Nursing - Provides school and career information for nurses.
RN.org – Provides links to nursing boards and organizations.
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