There are numerous reasons why you should consider a nursing career. Nursing is not only a gratifying emotional job but can also be financially profitable if you are ready to put in the effort necessary to advance your career.
To become a nurse, you can take one of the following paths: You can acquire an LPN certification and then take the NCLEX-PN exam to become a licensed practical nurse, or you can enroll in a 2-year ADN nursing program or 4-year BSN nursing school and then take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse (RN).
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate interested in becoming a nurse or you’re dissatisfied with your current job and believe a career in health care would provide you with the professional satisfaction you seek, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can be the quickest and most cost-effective way to become a registered nurse.
In this article, we’ll share all you need to know about the ADN nursing program and how you can apply. Before we define an associate degree in Nursing, let’s take a sneak peek at getting into nursing schools.
Table of contents
- How Hard Is Getting into Nursing School?
- What Is An Associate Degree In Nursing?
- Is An Associate Degree In Nursing Worth It?
- Who Can Get an ADN?
- Who Is The ADN Program Best Suited For?
- How to Get Your Associate’s Degree in Nursing?
- How Much Does an ADN Degree Cost?
- Can You Get Your ADN Online?
- How Long Does It Take to Get an ADN Degree?
- What Classes Are Required to Get an ADN?
- What skills will you get as a result of the ADN program?
- What Do You Do After You Finish the ADN Program?
- Licensure for ADN Students
- How Much Do ADN Majors Make?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
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How Hard Is Getting into Nursing School?
Working as a nurse entails a significant amount of responsibility. Because you are essentially responsible for your patients’ lives and well-being, it makes sense for the educational process to be challenging to best prepare you for the vital role you will play in the healthcare profession.
However, getting into nursing school is notoriously difficult before you begin studying. Nursing schools do not make it easy for prospective nurses, from strict academic criteria such as a higher than average GPA or needing to complete prerequisite courses with good grades to having to sit for grueling, hard entrance tests.
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What Is An Associate Degree In Nursing?
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is an undergraduate degree that allows students to learn the fundamentals of nursing and develop practical skills. The majority of associate’s degrees are two years long. However, certain programs can be finished in as short as 18 months. Students who earn an ADN may be qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required for licensure as a registered nurse.
If you’ve decided to start your nursing career with an ADN nursing program, this guide will walk you through applying, enrolling, and earning an associate degree in nursing.
Is An Associate Degree In Nursing Worth It?
An ADN nursing program has been the gold standard for young nurses looking to start their professions for decades. “Is having an associate degree in nursing worth it?” many potential RNs may think. With more organizations looking for BSN-educated nurses and more states supporting the BSN-in-10 program, the BSN-in-10 initiative is gaining traction. The answer is that an ADN nursing program is still relevant.
The scarcity of nurses in the United States is genuine, and the number of open nursing jobs in the United States is predicted to climb by 15%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is impossible for all ADN registered nurses to transition to BSN simultaneously, nor for universities to produce enough BSN graduates.
On the other hand, a BSN degree program may be the best option for people who have the time to devote to four years of school and want to develop their nursing careers. On the other hand, an associate degree in nursing is the perfect first step for people wanting to enter the industry quickly and set the groundwork for a nursing career.
See also: How Can I Get A Diploma In Nursing In 2024? Schools, Cost, Salary, Career
Who Can Get an ADN?
An ADN program is designed to educate students for entry-level nursing positions. Therefore, no prior experience or advanced understanding of the area is required.
However, becoming a nurse necessitates a high level of self-discipline and organizational and time management abilities, so keep that in mind when applying to an ADN school.
Who Is The ADN Program Best Suited For?
The ADN nursing program is a wonderful place to start your nursing career, but before you get started, you need to perform some self-evaluation. This should not be difficult because you know yourself better than anybody else: consider your personal characteristics and professional aspirations. Suppose you consider yourself an empathic, courteous person with good communication skills and the capacity to think independently. In that case, you possess the essential characteristics of a nurse.
Now consider whether you believe this is the right job for you and whether you want to work in an area where you continuously learn and improve yourself. If you answered yes, becoming a nurse is most likely a good fit for you.
If you fall into one of these three categories, the ADN program is likely the best option for you:
1. Get your career off to a fast start with an ADN, the quickest way to become a practicing RN
If you’re focused on a career as a nurse and want to get started as soon as possible, the ADN program is for you. After gaining some hands-on experience in the nursing sector, you can always continue your study and get your BSN through an RN-to-BSN program.
2. Consider your financial situation: the ADN program is the most cost-effective route to becoming an RN
You can take two paths to reach your goal of becoming a registered nurse: obtain an ADN or a BSN degree. Because the tuition fees for the ADN program are less than those for the BSN program, enroll in the ADN program if you can’t afford the BSN program right now.
3. Keep going with your studies: To advance from LPN to RN, enroll in an ADN program
If you’re a practicing LPN who wants to become an RN but aren’t ready to commit to a four-year BSN school, ADN is the program for you.
How to Get Your Associate’s Degree in Nursing?
The following are the essential procedures for getting your ADN and becoming a practicing registered nurse:
- Obtain a high school or General Education Development (GED) diploma. While some courses require little to no prior knowledge, others, such as English, physics, math, and social sciences, have prerequisite requirements, and you cannot enroll in an ADN program without one of these credentials.
- Fill out an authorized ADN program application and complete the registration procedure. Employers prefer nurses with degrees from authorized universities, so the college you choose can influence your chances of landing your dream career.
- If you require financial assistance, fill out an application. Examine all of your alternatives for financing your education. If you qualify for financial aid, have all your financial arrangements before classes begin.
- Attend the program and meet all of the program’s prerequisites.
- Register for the NCLEX-RN exam and take it. To practice as an entry-level nurse, you must first get a license from The National Council Licensure Examination. The NCLEX exam assesses your nursing abilities and knowledge; passing the exam is required to become a licensed nurse.
You don’t have to wait till you graduate from high school to begin your nursing career; there are several things you can do on your own to get ready for a nursing job before enrolling in an ADN program:
1. Get CPR or first aid training
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CPR certification is required for graduation at most high schools; however, if your high school does not provide CPR instruction, look for an organization that does. Learning these fundamental skills will be extremely beneficial to your future nursing career. Consider it a trial run in healthcare professions because you’ll get an inside look at patient care. You can also find part-time work as a lifeguard, which will provide you with some CPR experience.
2. Work as a volunteer in a healthcare facility of any kind
Aside from being a pleasant experience in and of itself, volunteering in a health-care setting will provide you with a behind-the-scenes insight into nursing and help you better understand this vocation. Observing what nurses perform daily will either convince or dissuade you from pursuing a nursing career.
3. Make connections with nurses
You most likely know someone who works as a nurse or knows someone who knows someone who works as a nurse and can introduce you to the field. If that isn’t the case, you may always set up some informational interviews with a few nurses at your local hospital. They will almost certainly be flattered by your interest in their work and will supply you with all the information and insights you require.
How Much Does an ADN Degree Cost?
An ADN nursing program’s tuition varies. In-state public schools offer the cheapest tuition. Tuition at private schools is usually the most expensive. To assist in paying for their education, students can seek financial aid such as scholarships and grants.
An ADN program can be completed in two years by full-time students. By enrolling in accelerated programs, they will be able to graduate sooner. Throughout the year, some schools offer intensive eight-week courses.
Online students may be eligible for reduced tuition and fees. Some public schools offer in-state tuition rates to online students regardless of location.
Can You Get Your ADN Online?
Working students can take advantage of several colleges’ online ADN programs. These programs follow the same curriculum as traditional on-campus programs. Online students, on the other hand, can complete assignments while juggling employment and family obligations. Clinical experiences can be completed at approved local sites by enrollees.
How Long Does It Take to Get an ADN Degree?
If you complete the required GE courses, you can graduate from the College’s ADN Program in as little as 16 months, or you can enroll in the ADN with GE Program and graduate in 20 months. You can complete your General Education (GE) courses at any approved institution of higher learning or the college of your choice.
What Classes Are Required to Get an ADN?
The program is made up of both didactic and experiential learning hours. The ADN curriculum usually includes the following topics:
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Psychology
- Biology
- Nutrition
- Physiology
- English
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
What skills will you get as a result of the ADN program?
The ADN Program aims to equip students to become competent, client-centered nurses who can deliver the best possible care to their patients. ADN graduates gain nursing judgment skills, learn how to interact effectively with patients and fellow RNs, and get leadership and management abilities to benefit them later in their careers.
What Do You Do After You Finish the ADN Program?
After completing the ADN program, the next logical step is to take the NCLEX-RN and obtain your nursing license. You will receive exam application forms from your university a few weeks before graduation, and you must pay the licensing fees.
The NCLEX-RN is a test that determines if you are qualified to practice nursing. It differs from other nursing school exams in that it focuses on critical thinking, nursing judgment, and analysis skills rather than just your knowledge.
The exam is composed of four main categories with a complex structure:
- care that is both safe and an effective environment.
- Promotion and maintenance of good health
- psychological and social well-being.
- physiologic stability
Because the grading system is pass/fail, the outcomes are unambiguous and won’t raise any debate.
Licensure for ADN Students
Graduates of the ADN program can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become certified nurses. The prerequisites for obtaining a nursing license differ by state. Programs that have been approved have met the board’s curriculum and clinical experience standards. Candidates may be required to present official transcripts by some state boards.
Only graduates of nursing programs certified by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing are licensed in states like Colorado.
Nurses are responsible for paying for their initial licensure. The cost varies by state. Nurses must also pay to renew their licenses on a regular basis. Every two years, license renewal necessitates around 30 hours of continuous education. State-specific criteria differ.
Licensure reciprocity agreements allow some nurses to obtain licenses in other states. Nurses can transfer their licenses with the cooperation of state boards that participate in agreements like the Nurse Licensure Compact.
How Much Do ADN Majors Make?
Nurses’ salaries vary depending on their qualifications, position, and company. RNs earn a median annual pay of $75,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. LPNs make $48,820 per year. As nurses gain experience, they earn more money. A bachelor’s or graduate degree can also help nurses earn more money.
Many nursing sectors accept ADN graduates for direct-care or coordinator positions. They can work in areas such as oncology or pediatrics, for example. Care coordinator, clinical associate, and clinical nurse liaison are all possible occupations.
Conclusion
An ADN nursing program is a great method to get started in the field of nursing. They are a great first step for students who do not have the necessary educational background for a degree program due to their accessibility.
Associate degrees in nursing offer individuals the academic and practical abilities needed to begin a career in nursing.
Frequently Asked Questions
An ADN program is designed to educate students for entry-level nursing positions. Therefore, no prior experience or advanced understanding of the area is required.
An ADN nursing program’s tuition varies. In-state public schools offer the cheapest tuition. Tuition at private schools is usually the most expensive.
Many hopeful RNs may wonder, “Is getting an associate degree in nursing worth it?” with more employers seeking BSN-educated nurses and more states supporting the BSN-in-10 initiative. The answer is that an ADN nursing program is still relevant.
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is an undergraduate degree that allows students to learn the fundamentals of nursing and develop practical skills.
References
- HOW HARD IS NURSING SCHOOL? THE CHALLENGES OF BECOMING A NURSE FROM A TO Z
- HOW TO GET YOUR ADN: TAKE THE FIRST STEPS ON THE PATH TO BECOMING A NURSE
- Best Online Associate in Nursing (ADN) Programs 2024
- Is Getting an Associate Degree in Nursing Worth It?
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