Many Jobs To Choose From
RN jobs are expected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , close to the same rate for all jobs combined.
Moreover, according to Joseph Dunmire, a board member of the National Association of Healthcare Recruitment, the U.S. will face a nursing shortage of nearly 1 million by 2024from entry-level positions suitable for newly-minted grads to senior nursing jobs usually held by highly experienced and skilled specialists.
Where Will An Adn Put You On The Nursing Career Ladder
Whether you have a diploma, an associates degree in nursing or a bachelors degree in nursing , landing a nursing job these days usually isnt a problem. Advancing in the profession, though, is another matter if you hold less than a BSN, according to experts.But is the BSN always a necessity? Is an associates degree alone enough to open the door to a rewarding nursing career?The bottom line is that choosing a nursing degree depends on the individuals needs and goals, says Donita Qualey, RN, MN, president of the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing and professor of nursing at Delgado Community College in New Orleans.If the career goals are always to work at the bedside, then the associates degree is perfectly fine, Qualey says. But if youre younger and want to teach or go higher in management, then you would go on for your advanced degree.Lower Nursing Degrees Under Scrutiny Even though nurses’ most common initial preparation is an associates degree, nursing organizations are pushing for nurses to earn higher degrees.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing says having nurses prepared at the BSN level translates into better patient care. An AACN fact sheet cites studies and data showing lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors and more positive outcomes when nurses are prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate levels than at the associates and diploma levels.
Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification
CCRN is ideal for RNs who plan to work in emergency care settings, like a hospital emergency room or a trauma care center. There are multiple variations of this certification, including adult, pediatric, and neonatal. You can get a certification that helps with direct care, or certification for nurses who influence care of acutely/critically ill patients but do not provide care directly.
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Jobs You Can Get With An Associate Degree In Nursing
Nursing is a vast and varied field that offers opportunities to work with many different populations and specialties. Depending on your intended career path, you may work with children as a pediatric nurse, in a community environment as a patient coordinator or in private practice as an oncology nurse, just to name a few. In this article, we examine 10 different jobs you can get with an Associate Degree in Nursing, including their requirements and national average salaries.
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How Competitive Your Degree Is In The Job Marketplace
ADNs and BSNs both can lead to your nursing license, and both qualify you for most entry-level nursing positions. Theres no denying, however, that a BSN is more appealing to most employers. All else being equal, BSNs will often help candidates be considered first over an ADN for most nursing positions.
A 2017 study that examined 586 schools of nursing found that 49% of healthcare facilities required new hires to hold a BSN, and 86.3% of employers had a strong preference for graduates with BSN degrees.
There are a few reasons for this. First, BSN nurses are qualified for more complex procedures under the doctors supervision. This qualification makes them more versatile members of any nursing team. Second, the comprehensive education involved in BSN degrees is also good for patient care. For example, a 2014 study found that a 10% increase in BSN-educated nurses on hospital units was tied to a 10.9% potential decrease in patient mortality.
A BSN will also open the door to more diverse types of work, bringing us to our next core difference
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What Can You Do With An Associate Degree In Nursing
If youre wondering what you can do with an Associate of Science in Nursing , youve come to the right place. There are various career paths you can take to work in your preferred specialty or work environment.
After obtaining an associate degree in nursing and passing the NCLEX , youll become a registered nurse . RNs work everywhere from hospitals and emergency rooms to senior living communities and insurance companies. Salaries will range based on your education and experience, as well as your position and location. While the types of careers listed below are typically available for RNs holding an ASN, some employers may require a BSN and any of these jobs are usually available to someone with a BSN.
Wondering how long it takes to get an associate degree in nursing? At Aultman College, we offer a five-semester, hands-on ASN program for students looking for an entry-level career. Our associate of science in nursing program prepares you to take the NCLEX and become a registered nurse .
Once you become an RN with an Associate of Science in Nursing, youll be able to choose a variety of careers. Before we discuss some of them, we should note that healthcare facilities and businesses may require additional certifications or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. If one of these potential careers stands out to you, do some more research on the position and where youd like to work, and speak with an academic advisor for additional guidance.
What Is A Bsn
You might be wondering, What does BSN stand for? A BSN is a bachelors degree of science in nursing and is a four-year program for students who seek to become a registered nurse, or those who already are a registered nurse and have an associates degree in nursing. Many RNs will enroll in BSN programs to further their education in the nursing field from an associates degree to a bachelors degree.
A BSN program typically takes 4 years to complete and is the standard for entry-level jobs in the nursing field. Those who obtain a bachelor’s degree of science in nursing are more likely to be hired for many nursing occupations over those who only have an associates degree, especially those who work in hospitals. Nurses with a BSN degree can choose to further their education with master’s or doctoral degree in order to become a nurse educator or a nurse practitioner.
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What Is The Difference Between Rn And Bsn
Now that weve defined RN and BSN, you may be wondering, Is BSN the same as RN? or Is BSN higher than RN? The main difference between an RN and a BSN is the level of education someone has received. A registered nurse is able to practice within their field with only an associates degree, but a BSN is the preferred level of education for many nurse specialties throughout the medical career landscape.
How Much Does An Adn Degree Cost
The costs of an Associates Degree in Nursing varies depending upon the type of program you choose to attend, including whether it is an LPN-to-RN program. Factors that affect tuition pricing include where the school is located, whether you choose to enroll at a vocational school, community college, private college or state school, and if the latter, whether you are attending as an in-state student or an out-of-state student.
Some programs offer the ability to pay per-credit pricing while others permit students to pay a per-semester price, then pursue as many credits as they feel capable of completing during that period of study. There are also cost differences between an in-person or online program.
Though cost is always an important consideration, it is also important that you remember the significant benefits and increased earnings that follow earning your ADN degree, as well as that you can lower your costs significantly by attending public institutions, seeking financial aid, and applying for governmental grants.
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Paying For The Adn Degree Financial Aid Scholarships Grants Loans
Education of any kind represents an investment in yourself, and no matter how promising your future will be with an ADN degree, paying tuition can still represent a burden. Fortunately, there are many options available to help, including grants, scholarships and loans. Here are just a few:
Roles For Nurses With An Associate Degree
If youre pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing , youre probably thinking about all of the coursework ahead. But the most exciting part might be deciding what kind of registered nurse youll want to be and where youll want to work. You can expect many choices.
In this Article
Many Jobs to Choose From|Description|Career Paths and Workplaces|Salary|Ways to Advance Your Career
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What To Expect From A Nursing Degree
FVIs nursing program combines general education and nursing knowledge. Required nursing courses include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- College Math
- General Psychology
Majors in nursing also participate in lab experiences. Students learn procedures on realistic mannequins and practice on patients. Lab experiences are essential to understanding the real world of the profession.
How Can I Advance My Career
In addition to gaining clinical experience, you can advance your career by earning a BSN and by specializing.
ADN programs generally focus more on nursing fundamentals and clinical skills, whereas BSN programs focus on the clinical skills plus education related to evidenced-based research, leadership, and management, says Dunmire. Ultimately, an RN with a BSN has more opportunities to advance in clinical leadership and by pursuing more diversified career opportunities in areas such as management, administration, research, and informatics.
However, says Dunmire, many nursing students find beginning with the ADN more financially feasible, as ADNs are usually secured through the community college system, which is much more affordable than the university system. From there, an ADN can secure initial employment while pursuing a BSN via online education.
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Bsn Allows Specialty Choices
Another aspect that differentiates ADNs from BSNs is the ability for bachelor’s degree students to choose a concentration within their broader nursing major. Specialties like critical care, midwife delivery or public health are offered at this level. An associate’s degree offers a broad look into these areas of nursing.
Can You Get A Job As A Nurse With An Associate’s Degree
Nursing jobs arent easy. But their fast pace, established procedural nature and genuine potential to change lives make them appealing to many job-seekers. For obvious reasons, you cant just walk into these jobs with no training or credentials.
However, that doesnt necessarily mean you need to spend exorbitant amounts of time becoming job-ready in order to become a nurse. An associate’s degree in nursing is definitely enough to get you into the bottom rungs of the nursing profession. Subsequent studies and degrees will only help you to rise even further in this field.
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What Kind Of Nursing Jobs Are Available
The field of nursing is vast and can include jobs working directly with patients and providing basic care. It also offers more advanced opportunities, such as team management or research and development. The following are several types of nursing jobs, plus their primary duties and average salaries:
What Can You Do With An Associate Degree In Nursing And A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
05/16/2019
There is currently a rise in demand for healthcare workers, making becoming a nurse a great career path. In order to care for the countrys aging population, especially with the increase of members of the baby boomer generation going into retirement, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that healthcare occupations are expected to see an addition of 2.4 million new jobs by 2026.
Just for registered nurses in particular, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 15% growth from 2016 to 2026, which means an addition of over 400,000 positions. Clearly, the nursing career is on the rise and is showing no signs of slowing down in the near future.
If these facts about the industry excite you, and the idea of spending your life as part of a noble and rewarding profession appeals to you, then heres how you can go about becoming a registered nurse. There are two possible avenues you can explore in terms of acquiring the educational qualifications you would need to enter the field as a professional:
- An Associate Degree in Nursing Or
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing
These are both professional nursing programs that provide you with the knowledge, skill, and tools you need to succeed in the field of nursing. Lets break down these two starting points for making your way up the nursing career ladder and see what each has to offer.
- Hospitals
- Medical and Health Services Management
Differences between ADN and BSN Nurses
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Where Do Adn Nurses Work
Once you graduate with an ADN and pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you may be wondering what your options are for employment. The good news is that as a registered nurse, youll have plenty. We used real-time job posting analysis software to look at some of the top locations where nurses with ADNs work.2
Here are a few places you can work as an RN with an ADN:
- Hospitals
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
- Offices of other health practitioners
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities
- Specialty hospitals
While you may have heard of the recent push for all nurses to have a BSN, that doesnt mean an ADN nurse is out of luck.
You could likely find work more easily in post-acute settings such as ambulatory care, home care, hospice, long-term care and similar, says Brittney Wilson, BSN, RN, and blogger at The Nerdy Nurse.
Professional Licensure And/or Certification Information
Northwood Tech’s Nursing program prepares students to obtain the required licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. The College does not guarantee it’s curriculum matches the requirements for preparation, examinations, or licensure for other states. Please click below to review more details details about accreditation and licensure.
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What Can I Expect From An Adn Program
An associate degree in nursing prepares students for employment within the healthcare industry. Many become registered nurses , although this is only one pathway that ADN graduates can take. An associate degree can open up several entry-level opportunities for students.
ADN programs typically last two years for full-time students.
These degrees focus on nursing care, including patient assessment and pharmacology. Students engage in lab courses and clinical rotations, which help aspiring nurses practice their skills in clinical settings. When students graduate, they qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam and, if they pass, RN licensure. Although graduates begin with entry-level salaries, their earning potential grows with experience. ADN salaries can also increase if nurses pursue certification.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale, we’ve identified some of the highest-paying jobs for nurses with associate degrees. Find this list of ADN nursing jobs below.
Where Can Adn Nurses Work
Registered nurses with their ADN can work in any environment in which hands-on healthcare is needed, as well as many others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
- The majority of RNs work in hospital settings, whether those are state, local or private facilities.
- 18% of RNs work in doctors offices, home healthcare and outpatient care settings.
- 7% work in nursing and residential care facilities.
- Others work in government, in educational services and in corporations
Registered Nurses with an ADN degree have a wide range of environments in which they can work, including:
- Hospitals
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
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Bachelor’s In Health Science
A bachelor’s degree in health science prepares students for nonclinical roles in the healthcare industry. Most programs last four years and typically include courses on the U.S. healthcare system, human anatomy, and healthcare management. While some programs feature a generalized curriculum, others let candidates specialize in an area like global health, biomedical sciences, or health education.
Students interested in a health science degree can pursue a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science. The latter takes a technical and scientific approach to the discipline, making it ideal for candidates who want to pursue clinical positions, while the former explores general human service systems.