Types Of Adn Programs
Once youve decided to pursue an Associates Degree in Nursing, you will find that there are multiple routes available to you. The right one for you will depend upon your current situation, whether you are interested in taking classes on a full-time or part-time basis, in person or online, and whether or not you have already started working towards a nursing degree or career in healthcare.
The fastest and most direct route to an Associates Degree in Nursing is to enroll in and graduate from an accredited program offered by a community college, university or nursing school. These programs can be taken on a full time or part-time basis, in person or online, and can be completed in as little as 18-to-24 months. There are also programs for those who are already Licensed Practical Nurses and who want to pursue an ADN degree.
- ADN program This is the most straightforward and quickest way to become a Registered Nurse. ADN programs are available on a full-time and part-time basis, and most programs offer the opportunity to take classes at night or online. Graduation from these programs prepare you to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses .
- LPN-to-ADN program Licensed Practical Nurses can pursue an Associates Degree in Nursing in one or two years. These programs are available at vocational schools and community colleges, as well as online. Graduation from these programs prepare you to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses .
Lpn Vs Adn: Whats The Difference Between An Adn And Lpn
Considering a career in nursing? Most students in your position often look toward earning their bachelors in the field, but fortunately, this discipline has multiple opportunities that dont require dedicating a four-year degree. To become a licensed practical nurse , you only have to devote a year to studies, whereas to earn your associate degree in nursing , youll need two years of schooling.
One of the differences between these two career paths is where they goan LPN program prepares you for a career as a licensed practical nurse while an ADN program prepares you to become a registered nurse . An LPN assists doctors and RNs. LPN responsibilities include:
- Sample collection
- Giving patient care
- Reporting patient statuses to physicians and RNs
An LPN often finds work within a long-term care facility, hospital, or doctors office. These healthcare professionals earn median annual salaries of $48,820. To gain access to work, you must graduate from a certified program and pass the appropriate LPN licensing exam.
If you opt to pursue an ADN, on the other hand, once youve earned your degree you can take the NCLEX-RN or National Council Licensure Examination for RNs. Passing this exam qualifies you for RN licensure. Normal responsibilities of an RN include:
- Examining patient records
- Administering medications
- Collaborating with patient healthcare teams
Key Differences Between Adn And Bsn Degrees
Graduates of a two-year ADN degree are Registered Nurses. Like those who complete the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, they have all of the education and clinical training that they need to sit for and pass the NCLEX exam and to get their nursing license. However, there are significant and immediate differences between the two that need to be taken into consideration. These include:
- It takes substantially less time to complete an ADN degree than a BSN degree. An ADN degree can be obtained in just two years of full-time classwork, while a BSN takes twice that amount of time. Those two years can be spent earning valuable hands-on experience and becoming established and respected within the workplace, as well as earning a solid income.
- Depending upon the program that you choose, an ADN degree can represent a much smaller financial investment than a BSN degree. It is also possible to pursue an ADN degree on a part-time basis or through an online program: this means that students can continue to work full time and earn income while achieving their educational goals.
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How To Earn An Adn Qualification
There are a few prerequisites before you can enroll for an ADN course, including:
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Earning your high-school diploma or GED certificate: Your first step is to obtain a high-school diploma or GED certificate with a GPA of at least 2.5. ADN programs require a certain level of proficiency in math, chemistry and biology. For instance, candidates need at least one year of chemistry plus lab work. Completing this coursework in high school can give you a head start for college.
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Fulfilling testing requirements: Ensure that you fulfill the exact testing requirements for the specific ADN program you are applying for. For instance, some programs require candidates to complete a certified nursing assistant program, whereas other programs may expect you to complete a pre-nursing course. You may also need to sit for the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam or the Test of Essential Academic Skills.
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Adequately scoring on the SAT or ACT test: Depending on the program, you may also need to pass an SAT or ACT test with satisfactory scores.
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Satisfying all requirements for the clinical course: You may need to fulfill certain requirements before you can be in the clinical course of the program. These could include providing a CPR certificate and a negative tuberculosis test, as well as passing alcohol and drug screenings.
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Passing a criminal check: You will also need to pass a criminal background check to gain entry into an ADN program.
Can You See Yourself As An Adn Nurse
What is an ADN nurse? Theyre certainly providers who ensure quality care for their patients. They could also be career changers who worked in a completely different industry at one point. How you define the role all depends on your specific background and goals.
If youre excited about the prospect of launching yourself into the fulfilling, fast-paced world of nursing, you might want to think about your educational options. Consider what you want out of a program. Perhaps you have some credits you want to transfer. Or maybe your schedule requires that you take classes at night.
To learn more about how you can make pursuing a career in nursing work for you, visit Midway Universitys Associate Degree in Nursing program page.
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Advantages Of An Adn Degree
Nursing is one of the most rewarding career choices available. In fact, according to the Medscape Nurse Career Satisfaction Report 2016, practicing nurses enjoy their work so much that they have a hard time singling out one top-most-rewarding aspect of their career. Nurses who have earned their ADN enjoy a sense of fulfillment in helping others. They also appreciate the gratitude expressed by the patients they serve and the solid earnings and job security that their chosen field offers.
The top advantages of an ADN degree include,
- Quick route to higher earnings potential. If you are anxious to become a registered nurse and start caring for patients while earning a nurses salary, an ADN degree is the fastest way to get there. Once youve earned your ADN you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. The program, which bypasses general education classes and focuses entirely on the coursework needed for a nursing education, can be completed in four semesters.
- Lower cost for education. Nurses who pursue an Associates Degree in Nursing are not only able to achieve their goal more quickly, but generally are able to do so at a lower cost.
The education provided by accredited ADN programs is so comprehensive that pass rates for ADN graduates taking the NCLEX is on par with that of students who have earned their BSN degree.
Disadvantages Of An Adn Degree
While the Associate of Degree in Nursing is a relatively quick and affordable way to begin a career as a registered nurse, it does have some disadvantages that should be considered before you make a decision. Some of the drawbacks to an ADN include:
- Your salary may be lower than other RNs with a BSN. According to the Nursing 2018 Salary and Benefits Report, ADN nurses earn 5% less than BSN-educated nurses on average.
- You may still need to earn a BSN. Several states are requiring RNs to earn a BSN, in accordance with new âBSN in 10â laws. If you are employed in one of these states you will be required to earn a BSN within ten years of earning your RN license.
- Career advancement may be limited. Many leadership and advanced practice nursing roles require higher levels of education.
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Adn Nursing Classes You Can Take Online
While the clinical portion of your ADN program will have to be completed in-person, along with any required orientation and class meetings that some programs mandate, there are many classes from your nursing program that you can complete online.
In general, you can expect that many of the general education requirements that you need for your Associates can be completed online, as well as any introduction to nursing classes, and the majority of nursing theory and classes outside of clinicals, such as pharmacology and biology.
As an example of what an online ADN program might look like, heres an overview of the types of courses in an ADN curriculum that can be completed online:
- English
What Classes Are Required For An Adn
The ADN curriculum is comprised of foundational nursing courses to prepare you for a career in patient care. While coursework will vary school to school, some common ADN classes include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Health Assessment
- The Wellness Continuum, across the age spectrum
In addition to your nursing courses, you can also expect to put your skills to practice in a real-life patient care setting. Aspiring nurses must complete experiential hours through clinicals prior to graduation. Clinicals give you the chance to observe working nurses and patient care in a healthcare environment, and provide hands-on experience prior to entering a career.
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Top Associates Nursing Programs That Offer Online Classes For 2020
Finding an accredited online ADN may be a little tougher than, for instance, finding an RN-BSN online program. Unlike an RN-BSN program, ADN programs provide the foundation of your education as an RN, so programs may be more limited.
Some online ADN programs also require that you have your LPN license or equivalent work experience as a prerequisite, so youll have to carefully check if you meet all the admission requirements.
It can be helpful to first start by checking if your local community colleges or schools offer an online option for your ADN–that way you can do the bulk of the academic work online, but still stay local for lab and clinical requirements.
The following schools also offer accredited online ADN programs that combine in-person learning with online courses:
Associate Degree In Nursing Salary Information
The salaries for an Associate Degree in Nursing vary by certification. If the nurses earn the credentials of Registered Nurse, they can earn a median salary of $62,450 annually. They highest 10% earn $92,240 annually, while the lowest 10 percent earn $43,410 annually.
For those with the Licensed Practical Nurse Nurse credentials, nurses can expect to make an average salary of $34,000 annually. The salary range is $32,000 to $40,000 annually with potential to increase the salary with experience.
The Associates Degree in Nursing offers students the option to enter the field of nursing in a shorter amount of time than it takes by earning the Bachelors Degree in Nursing. Students can attend school for 2 years or less, become Registered Nurses, and begin working in medical facilities around the world. Earning the ADN is one of the ways that students can begin a successful career as a nurse.
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What You Should Learn In Your Degree Program
An ADN program blends class work with hands-on training. You can expect to complete courses in:
- Physiology
- Nutrition
- Biology
You will also spend time in clinical nursing skills clinics and labs where you will get a glimpse of what youll do on the job.
Join this Rewarding Career
Interested in becoming a nurse? Your first step might be to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting career, connect with a helpful admissions counselor today for more information.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information Nursing – Associates
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Salary Comparison Between Registered Nurses And Other Nurses
How do registered nurse salaries compare to others? The infographic below shows the average annual salaries for different types of nurses.
COMPARING NURSE SALARIES.
The BLS data for nurse-midwives may not be fully representative as there was no information available for 15 of the U.S. states. This might explain why their average annual earnings for 2021 were lower than the previous year.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists remain the most highly paid nurses, earning considerably more than all other nurses.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses specializing in additional postgraduate qualifications at the masters or doctoral level. Ranked at #2 in the U.S. Today 100 Best Jobs of 2022, nurse practitioners work independently or as part of a healthcare team to diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illnesses. During the COVID epidemic, the demand for nurse practitioners increased, and many additional U.S. states granted them the right to practice independently.
Nurse instructors are responsible for teaching nursing students in the classroom and during clinical placements. They mostly require advanced qualifications, but their average income compares poorly with nurse practitioners.
A shortage of nurse educators is a major factor contributing to the shortage of nurses. Hence, it is unfortunate that their average salary dropped below that of registered nurses last year. However, it is unclear who exactly is recorded as nurse educators in the BLS data.
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Nursing Careers With An Associate Degree
One benefit to earning an ADN is that it can open you up to a wide range of career paths and work environments. Some nursing careers you can pursue with your associates degree in hand, in addition to pursuing RN licensure include:
- Labor and Delivery Nurse
- Rehabilitation Nurse
Earning your ADN allows you the freedom and flexibility to choose from many registered nurse career paths to find which one aligns with your interests. Becoming a RN and pursuing additional specialities may also require additional credentials.
Adn Vs Bsn: Your Guide To Help You Decide On A Nursing Degree
By Kirsten Slyter on 02/04/2019
Youve been thinking about a career in nursing for a while now. Its something youve always wanteda steady and reliable career that puts food on the table and also allows you to live out your passion of helping others. But youre not one to make uneducated decisions. You want to know what youre getting intoand how to best go about it.
Thats where your dilemma comes in: The ADN versus BSN debate. Should you get your Associates or Bachelors degree to become a nurse? Graduates from ADN and BSN programs both become registered nurses upon graduating and passing the NCLEX exam. But what differences come with these degrees? And which degree path is best suited for you?
Join us as we explore the ADN versus BSN debate to set your wheels in motion.
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Nursing In The United Kingdom
Nursing in the United Kingdom requires all students to obtain a full Bachelor Degree, and there is no state exam on completion of the course. The Nursing and Midwifery Council is responsible for approving educational programs and organizing them into four branches including, Adult nursing, Child nursing, Mental health nursing, and Learning disabilities nursing.
Bachelor’s degree programs leading to Nurse registration in the United Kingdom are typically 3 years in length. This will include a variety of theory subject modules taught over 2,300 hours as well as 2,300 hours of supervised clinical experience. Lesser awards such as Higher education diplomas in nursing are no longer offered, all Nurses study to Bachelor Degree Level.
Whats The Difference Between An Adn And A Bsn In Nursing
The most obvious difference between the two degrees is the length of time required to complete them, but theres more to the distinctions. Lets go over them now.
The ADN is a degree that also prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN and go on to earn state licensure as a Registered Nurse . An ADN takes two years to complete if going to school full time, although some schools offer accelerated options or give students with professional experience or prior course work the option to graduate faster.
The BSN is a four-year degree program if attending school full time. That means that the curriculum includes general education course work, such as classes in math, the social sciences and the humanities as well as the typical nursing curriculum. Students in a BSN program are exposed to topics ranging from nursing physiology to nursing ethics and are required to complete labs and supervised clinicals in a hospital or other healthcare facility.
So, the approach to training the student is different. An ADN degree is focused on the clinical tasks that a nurse provides, such as monitoring patients, maintaining their records and performing other basic healthcare procedures. A BSN degree incorporates other aspects of nursing, such as evidence-based practice, management and public health. The BSN degree encourages nurses to embrace the big picture of nursing and how it integrates with the overall goal of healthcare.
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