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Why an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)?


An ADN (Associate of Science in Nursing) degree is a nursing program that provides the education needed to apply for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) after passing the NCLEX-RN exam. While there are online ADN programs, not all components, such as lab and clinical courses, can be completed online, as these require hands-on experience beyond nursing theory.

Graduates, when they walk into their first job, will have the skills required as a registered nurse (and some will even work as licensed practical nurses) to give safe, effective care to each one of their patients. You may have opportunities to provide patient care of all ages or you may choose to specialize in one particular age group once you gain a little more experience and education beyond associate degree programs.

When choosing an online ADN program, ensure it's accredited, preferably by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), to qualify for federal financial aid and higher salary potential. Accreditation also strengthens your application if you pursue further nursing education, such as a BSN from anursing school. Stay informed about academic and state-specific requirements, including prerequisites, credits, and experience, as not all online ADN programs may meet the full criteria for RN licensure.

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Difference of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) vs. LPN vs. BSN

BSN programs cover similar material to ADN programs but in greater depth, with added leadership, management, and information technology training to enhance your career beyond becoming an RN. LPN to RN programs offer the same nursing classes as ADN programs but lead to a certificate instead of a degree. Fully online BSN programs are available, with clinical practice being the only in-person requirement, offering flexibility for both new and advancing nursing students.

Your career goals will greatly influence the nursing program you choose. A BSN can qualify you for a wider range of roles, such as nurse practitioner, case manager, or health educator, making it easier to gain experience. However, a BSN typically takes four years to complete, compared to two years for an ADN, and may involve more clinical hours, which also increases tuition costs. Additionally, employers are increasingly preferring BSN holders and those with advanced degrees (MSN or doctoral), which may influence your decision.

As for an LPN, they will also provide direct nursing care to patients but will do so under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. These nurses cannot work independently, whereas registered nurses who complete ADN programs or BSN's can do so. Your eventual salary will also be different. An RN may earn an annual salary of $70,000. An LPN may earn a little more than $45,000, this is because this professional earned a certificate rather than a diploma. Your pay reflects your level of training

Top 10 Best Online Associate in Nursing Programs


1
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,754
    • Out-of-State:$13,826
  • Net Price: $12,011
  • Acceptance Rate: 70%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,190
  • Undergrad Students: 8,201
  • Graduate Students: 4,989
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Arkansas State University
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2
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,080
    • Out-of-State:$12,050
  • Net Price: $9,943
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,578
  • Undergrad Students: 2,578
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $58,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Allegany College of Maryland
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3

Northwestern Michigan College

Score: 65.89

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,076
    • Out-of-State:$12,762
  • Net Price: $6,951
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 92%
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,098
  • Undergrad Students: 3,098
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $52,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Northwestern Michigan College
4
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $24,326
    • Out-of-State:$24,326
  • Net Price: $22,824
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,046
  • Undergrad Students: 5,675
  • Graduate Students: 371
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Columbia College-Columbia,MO
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5

Hutchinson Community College

Score: 63.62

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,720
    • Out-of-State:$4,650
  • Net Price: $6,491
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 55%
  • Graduation Rate: 46%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,960
  • Undergrad Students: 4,960
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $42,300
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Hutchinson Community College
6

University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville

Score: 61.93

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,918
    • Out-of-State:$4,542
  • Net Price: $9,224
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 45%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,008
  • Undergrad Students: 1,008
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $31,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
7
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,050
    • Out-of-State:$8,250
  • Net Price: $9,084
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,772
  • Undergrad Students: 1,772
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $39,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • North Central Missouri College
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8

Sampson Community College

Score: 54.68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $2,830
    • Out-of-State:$9,742
  • Net Price: $5,950
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 59%
  • Graduation Rate: 30%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,590
  • Undergrad Students: 1,590
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $30,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Sampson Community College
9

Durham Technical Community College

Score: 53.67

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,986
    • Out-of-State:$6,594
  • Net Price: $7,274
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,294
  • Undergrad Students: 4,294
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 6:1
  • Durham Technical Community College
10

Northwest Technical College

Score: 53.31

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,246
    • Out-of-State:$6,246
  • Net Price: $13,132
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 56%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Total Enrollment: 721
  • Undergrad Students: 721
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $40,800
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Northwest Technical College

Requirements to Enter an Online Associate Nursing Degree Program


You’ll need to have all of your paperwork ready to be submitted to the college of your choice. These include official transcripts from each college you may have already attended.

You have to complete a higher-level math course with a grace of “C” or higher; earn an ACT score of 23 or higher in math OR your ALEKS PPL Assessment, with a score of 30 or higher.

Submit your CNA license, if you hold one.

Some colleges will require successful completion of some prerequisite courses before entering an associate degree nursing program. These may include classes such as English, physiology with a lab, and anatomy with a lab. You may be able to enter an ASN program straight out of high school after completing these prerequisites. You need a high school diploma or a GED equivalent; you should have a GPA of at least 2.5.

Important Questions to Ask


How Long Does It Take to Earn An Associate Degree?


You can expect to make a time commitment to earn your online associate degree in nursing (ADN) just as you would with any other degree. This degree falls in the middle, above a practical nursing diploma and under a bachelor’s degree in nursing, though the fact that many of these degrees are available online can make it more accessible for some students.

You will spend between 18 and 24 months in an online ADN program. Upon graduation and licensing, you will be an RN, with the ability to specialize your job role. You will also be able to work in one of many available healthcare settings.

If you are planning to earn your BSN after your ADN, then you will spend about 3.5 years doing so. If you have a bachelor’s in another major, you may be able to earn your BSN in about 18 months with an accelerated online program or on-campus program. If you already have an ADN and work as an RN, you may be able to enter an ADN to BSN bridge program and earn your associate's degree in a relatively short 12 months.

Potential Coursework


Example Courses:


  • Introduction to Pharmacology
  • Pharmacology
  • Family Health Concepts
  • Health & Illness Concepts
  • Mental Health Concepts
  • Acute Concepts
  • Complex Concepts

What is an ASN?


The ASN is an Associate of Science in Nursing, usually earned from local community colleges or vocational schools. The nursing associate degree program you choose should be comprehensive, offering a wide range of courses that culminate in your graduation with your ASN degree. In the program you select, you may have a few options from which to choose: generic, bridge, or accelerated.

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Within this associate's degree, you’ll undergo 24 to 30 months’ worth of classes that will give you the education necessary to take your National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCELX-RN). The courses you take may include math, pharmacology, nursing skills, medical-surgical nursing, health assessment, community health, pediatric nursing, professional nursing leadership, obstetrical nursing, or psychiatric nursing. Many of these programs offer at least some courses online, even if the whole program isn't found in an online format.

This degree opens up a rewarding nursing career. Because of an ongoing shortage of nurses, there should be a number of various nursing jobs available that you should be able to accept a job offer shortly after graduating.

What Options Do You Have for Employment with an ASN?


After you graduate and earn your RN certification, you have a wide range of employment choices. Your knowledge and skills are badly needed in many healthcare settings.

You can work in a specialty hospital, for home healthcare services or in a hospital. There’s also an option to work for an insurance carrier or for a nursing care facility. You may be hired to work in an assisted living facility or a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), or you may choose to work in the private practice of several doctors.

Maybe you want some of the job variety that comes with a hospital setting, but you don’t want that much stress. If that’s so, then working in an outpatient care center may suit your career goals.

You could work for other health practitioners in their offices. Professional nursing schools, universities, and colleges often need RNs for their staff. Working here, you will be helping students who need medical care.

Job Outlook / Income


Nurses are always in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of RNs is projected to grow about 6% between 2023 and 2033 - this is a bit faster than the average projected for all occupations.

Demand for healthcare drives this increase. Our population is aging, bringing more medical problems; Alzheimer’s disease, head injuries, and strokes require long-term care. Hospitals are under stronger pressure from insurance companies to send patients home, often before they are ready for discharge. This means long-term care facilities are taking up the slack. Job growth will be markedly faster in these nursing care facilities.

What are Your Options to Advance?


You can go on to graduate from a BSN program. While you will still be an RN, you will be qualified to take on more complex nursing and medical procedures while a physician supervises your work. In time, you may be put in charge of junior nurses. With your BSN, you can branch out and become a public health nurse, nurse educator, or work in another specialty.

Next, consider an option to move up from your RN position with an early admission to Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice. You will enhance your career and give yourself the opportunity to advance. Additionally, you could enroll into a bridge program. Your options include earning your MSN, or becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwife, or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

You could also consider enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration or a Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics. In both, you will be working in administrative positions.

Frequently Asked Questions


Why get an ADN degree?

One of the biggest reasons to earn an ADN is to get into the nursing field quickly. It can gain you licensure, help you find a position in the field, and work as a steppingstone to a bachelor’s degree. This small step into nursing can give workers access to a wide range of career options.

How much can ADN nursing graduates make?

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can help graduates make anywhere from $58-$75,000/year on average. And this is without the option of gaining special experience, certification, or finishing a higher-level degree, which can have a huge impact on your expected income.

How do you become a registered nurse?

An ADN is the minimum requirement for those wishing to become a registered nurse. Other than that, you must also be working in the medical industry and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. This will, in most states, be all you need to gain access to full nursing licensure. Of course, each state is able to include extra requirements, so be sure to check with the state in which you plan to work if you hope to gain licensure in nursing.

Am I required to take general education courses prior to earning an associate's nursing degree?

The question of whether general education courses are required prior to earning an associate's degree in nursing is one that has many answers. Generally, a certain number of credits in general education courses are required for any type of degree program; however, the exact requirements depend on the specific school. For example, some colleges may require students to complete a minimum number of classes in humanities and mathematics before they can be admitted into an associate's nursing program. Other institutions may allow students to take those classes alongside their nursing courses.

In addition to general education credits, many programs have additional prerequisites that must be completed before admission. These may include undergraduate coursework such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition and pharmacology. These classes provide foundational knowledge that will help nurse candidates excel in their clinical rotations during the program.

How long does it take to complete most ADN programs?

Most associate degree programs in nursing (ADN) typically take two to three years to complete. Most courses are offered on a full-time basis, although part-time options may be available depending on the school. The duration of the program depends largely on how many classes you can handle while maintaining satisfactory grades, as well as whether or not you need to go through any prerequisites before enrolling in the program.

Students who want to earn their ADN must first sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This exam is designed to assess a student's knowledge of nursing theory, clinical judgement and decision making skills. After passing this exam, students will receive their license and be able to practice as Registered Nurses (RNs).

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