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
Along with supervised clinical experience, the following are some examples of courses a student will take in an ADN program:
- Foundations of nursing
- Anatomy and physiology
- Psychology
- Microbiology
- Human growth and development
- Adult nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Nutrition
- Pharmacology
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 one-year 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)
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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