Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Overview

Amanda Gamboa, RN, BSN

Updated

Reviewed by NursingEducation Staff

Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the fastest track to becoming a registered nurse (RN). An ADN program can be completed in as little as 18 months. Other associate nursing degrees that enable graduates to become RNs are the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS). ADN, ASN, and AAS RNs can work with many types of patients in a variety of institutions. This page will use only the ADN abbreviation now, as these associate’s degrees all prepare students to become RNs by taking the NCLEX-RN examination. The baccalaureate alternative to becoming an RN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which traditionally takes four years to complete.

Nursing careers for ADN RNs are usually in sub-acute or post-acute care, where patients are more stable and less likely to need critical care interventions. While many employers prefer to hire RNs with a BSN, nurses with an ADN are eligible to apply to any position where a BSN is not required. Additionally, many employers provide tuition assistance for ADN RNs wishing to earn their BSN through a bridge program.

ADN Requirements

The first step to earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is to complete high school or obtain a GED. During high school or while completing your GED, you can research ADN programs and their specific application requirements. Nursing degree programs will consider applicants based on GPA, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and your resume. A competitive applicant will meet the program’s standards and have some experience volunteering or shadowing in healthcare. ADN programs also may interview their applicants before making admission decisions.

Prerequisite classes may be required prior to starting an ADN program. Grades in any prerequisite courses will definitely be considered as part of the student’s application. Some ADN programs integrate the prerequisites into their curriculum. Prerequisites may include the following:

ADN Program Length and Cost

Most Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs last 18 to 24 months and are available at community colleges and some four-year institutions. Some colleges offer part-time enrollment options. Total ADN program costs at public schools range from about $6,000 to $20,000. ADN programs at private institutions can cost significantly more, from $30,000 to $100,000 or more.

Nursing school can be quite a time commitment, and full-time students are often discouraged from working during school. ADN students have varying schedules to accommodate the different learning formats, including lectures, skills lab hours and practice, and clinical hours. Students will also be expected to complete assignments and study for tests, in addition to preparing for clinical experiences.

Nearly all ADN students complete the following courses:

Some ADN programs offer online lectures alongside in-person clinical experiences, also known as hybrid degree programs. Clinical experiences are generally completed with a small group of other students in a variety of predetermined locations. Nursing students learn the proper techniques for the following tasks, first in skills labs and then during clinicals:

Skills labs are hands-on learning experiences taught by nursing instructors. Nursing students watch their instructors demonstrate a skill, such as proper repositioning of a sedated patient or chest compressions on a medical mannequin, and then students complete a return demonstration. Students learn how to start PIVs and insert catheters in a similar way. Students demonstrate proper technique and skills in the lab before performing them on patients. New nurses also receive additional hands-on training when they begin their first job as an RN.

Preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam is another key component of ADN programs. The NCLEX is the national certification exam for registered nurses, and it is taken by graduate nurses who have completed an ADN or BSN program. Nursing schools often provide practice exams for their students and may collect a grade from these practice exams. The NCLEX pass rate is a common metric used to compare nursing schools. Therefore, colleges attempt to prepare their students as well as possible. An ADN or BSN degree alone does not enable a graduate to begin working as a nurse in any capacity. Individuals earn national “RN” certification only after passing the NCLEX. After passing, RNs can then apply for licensure in the state where they plan to work.

ADN Earnings and Careers

RNs, including ADN and BSN degree-holders, reported an annual median income of $81,220 per year, which is just over $39 per hour. The median wage represents the middle: half of nurses made more than this number, and half made less. The U.S. Bureau of Labor does not report differences in income between ADN and BSN RNs. While degree is not always a factor in pay, BSN holders will be eligible to apply for more positions, are more competitive candidates, and can move into leadership and management positions more readily.

The American Association of Colleges (AACN) strongly supports ADN nurses in continuing their education and earning a BSN. AACN has recognized the BSN as the minimum educational requirement for what they refer to as professional-level practice. So while ADN programs are common and institutions are hiring nurses with associate degrees, many employers will expect ADN RNs to continue their education.

There are many flexible options for RNs with associate degrees to complete BSN programs. Many employers offer tuition assistance or other incentives to employees willing to return to school. One such path is to begin working as an ADN RN and then enroll in a part-time, primarily online BSN program. This is known as an ADN to BSN bridge program – students who have already earned an ADN are on an accelerated path to earn their BSN when compared to a traditional BSN program. A traditional BSN program takes four years to complete. It can take three years or less to complete an ADN and a BSN bridge program if the student is able to enroll full-time in school.

Due to the ability to bridge to a BSN when necessary, an Associate Degree in Nursing is an attractive option for anyone wanting to start working as soon as possible as an RN. ADN RNs have job security in some institutions, but as employers continue to prefer BSN candidates and incentivize BSN completion, ADN nurses should consider their future education goals. If you are unsure about committing to a lifelong career in nursing but are interested in healthcare, an ADN program is an excellent first step.

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