ADN Degree

ADN Degree

An ADN degree, or Associate Degree in Nursing, is a two-year program that prepares students for entry-level nursing positions, providing fundamental nursing skills and knowledge.

An associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a two-year college degree that meets the minimum education requirements to become a registered nurse. Students who complete an ADN degree are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), a standardized nationwide exam that tests the competency of nursing school graduates in the U.S.

What Is an ADN Degree?

For many aspiring nurses, an associate degree in nursing is the first step toward a lifelong career in healthcare. ADN programs prepare students for a professional nursing career with focused coursework in nursing theory, health promotion, clinical practice, and patient care. Earning an ADN also provides a foundation for furthering one’s nursing education and career with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or another health-related field.

The term “ADN” is an abbreviation for “associate degree in nursing.” In the United States, this type of nursing degree is typically awarded by community colleges, vocational schools, and some four-year institutions. The ADN is one of the most popular educational paths for prospective students seeking entry-level nursing positions due, in part, to the relatively short time commitment required to complete the degree.

An ADN program generally takes two years of full-time study, allowing students to begin working as registered nurses more quickly (and at less cost) than pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). This is a particularly appealing option for students who wish to enter the nursing profession as soon as possible.

ADN Degree Curriculum

The objective of an ADN program is to help students develop and hone essential nursing skills while also providing them with a well-rounded education in the liberal arts. ADN program curriculum typically begins with general education courses in the humanities and sciences, such as math, English, psychology, and sociology. These courses lay the groundwork for more advanced nursing theory and practice studies.

After completing the required general education courses, ADN students will move on to focused, nursing-specific coursework. Topics such as health promotion, nursing assessment, clinical practice, and patient care are covered in depth. By exploring these topics, students gain the clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and clinical competence needed to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care for diverse patients. A typical ADN curriculum will focus on the following topics:

Anatomy and Physiology

An understanding of anatomy and physiology is fundamental to a career in any health profession, especially in nursing. Knowledge of the structure and function of the human body helps nurses take appropriate action when signs of illness or injury are observed. It also serves as a foundation for more comprehensive instruction and will help nurses understand information about medication, nutrition, medical procedures, and infectious diseases.

Fundamentals of Nursing

The fundamentals of nursing are courses that teach the basic concepts, principles, and procedures of nursing. In the fundamentals of nursing, a student learns about the five stages of the nursing process, which act as a systemic guide for providing client-centered care. The five stages of the nursing process are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of tiny living organisms that are only visible through a microscope. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, collectively known as “microbes.” Many of these microorganisms are harmless; however, some play a crucial role in causing disease. A basic understanding of microbiology helps a nursing professional identify infectious diseases and biochemical characteristics.

Nutrition and Dietetics

Nutrition and proper dietary choices are closely linked to overall health, well-being, and a patient’s ability to respond to injury or illness. According to the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), up to 50 percent of hospitalized patients become malnourished while hospitalized, which increases the risk of complications, delays healing, and impairs their chances of survival.

In this light, it is clear how students pursuing nursing degrees reap the benefits of coursework in nutrition and dietetics. Understanding the science of how food and nutrition affect human health is an essential part of nursing practice. ADN nurses use this knowledge to conduct nutrition assessments, dietary therapies, nutrition support, etc.

Pharmacology

In the simplest of terms, pharmacology is the study of how drugs, both natural and synthetic, affect living organisms. Pharmacology incorporates knowledge and skills from several basic science disciplines, including biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology. The study of pharmacology is essential for registered nurses who must understand drug interactions and the effects of medications on patients.

Obstetrics and Pediatrics

Obstetrics and pediatrics are nursing specialties that require a unique set of skills and specialized knowledge. In broad terms, obstetrics is the study of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, while pediatrics is the study of medical care for infants, children, and adolescents. Aspiring ADN nurses who wish to pursue these specialties will take coursework focused on the unique needs of these patient populations.

Medical-Surgical Nursing

A medical-surgical nurse is a registered nurse who provides care to patients with various medical issues who are typically preparing for or recovering from surgery. Med-Surg is the single largest nursing specialty in the U.S., making it one of the most popular areas of nursing for ADN graduates.

What distinguishes the practice of medical-surgical nurses is the breadth and diversity of experience they bring to the job. A medical-surgical nurse might care for a patient with a heart condition, a patient with cancer, or a patient who has just had surgery – all on the same day. The common thread is that these nurses are experts in caring for patients with a wide range of needs. In preparation for this role, a typical ADN program will prepare nurses to care for patients with a wide range of conditions, from the relatively common to the rare and complex.

Geriatrics

Geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on the care and treatment of aging adults. Caring for an aging population presents unique challenges, as the elderly are more likely to experience age-related, acute, and chronic health problems that are difficult to cure or reverse. Students pursuing an ADN degree with the intention of working in geriatrics will concentrate on the medical aspects of aging bodies and treatments that help people maximize their functioning and achieve a high quality of life.

ADN Degree Requirements

Admission requirements will vary by school, but most ADN programs have similar approaches to prerequisites and admissions criteria. These requirements may include proof of prior education (high school diploma or college transcripts), prerequisite general education courses, pre-entrance exams, drug screening, and criminal background checks.

Listed below are the most common admission requirements for ADN programs:

  • A high school diploma or GED
  • Official transcripts demonstrating a minimum GPA (usually 2.5 or higher) for science courses, including anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry
  • A passing score on the ATI TEAS Exam or HESI assessment, a standardized entrance exam for students applying for allied health and nursing programs in the U.S.
  • A minimum composite SAT or ACT score.
  • CPR certification
  • English language proficiency
  • A minimum TOEFL score as determined by their state if English is not the applicant’s first/primary language
  • A comprehensive health screening and proof of immunization before beginning the program.
  • If accepted, applicants must submit fingerprints as required by their state and pass a criminal background check
  • If accepted, applications must participate in drug and alcohol testing
  • In some cases, nursing programs may require an additional internal assessment, such as a clinical test designed to measure your current readiness to practice nursing.

ADN Degree Online

While most ADN programs are still offered in a brick-and-mortar format, nursing schools are increasingly adopting more flexible course formats to meet the needs of a diverse student population. Blended and hybrid programs that incorporate face-to-face nursing classes and online instruction allow students to complete some didactic coursework online while gaining essential clinical skills and experience in a traditional classroom setting.

An online ADN program may be a good option for nursing students who need to balance work and school commitments. Students enrolled in an online ADN program experience the same rigorous curriculum as their on-campus counterparts and have the opportunity to complete clinical hours at local community colleges or healthcare facilities near their homes. This combination of traditional instruction and online learning is a powerful approach that expands access to educational programs while maintaining the quality of nursing education.

Online ADN Degree Clinical Component

It’s important to note that there are no ADN programs that can be completed 100% online. All ADN programs require face-to-face training with instructors, including several hundred hours of supervised clinical training conducted in person, in settings like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. This is a requirement of nursing schools and state nursing boards who determine the requirements for professional nurses to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

How Does an ADN Compare to a BSN?

While an ADN and BSN are both degree programs that prepare students for careers as registered nurses, there are considerable differences between the two. The most obvious difference is the length of time it takes to complete each program. An ADN program can be completed in as little as two years, while a BSN program typically takes four years.

The difference in time commitment is significant because both degree programs prepare students for the same NCLEX-RN licensing exam. In other words, an ADN will not make it any harder to become a licensed registered nurse. But this is, perhaps, the least important distinction between the two degree programs. The more significant difference between ADN and BSN programs is the scope of the curriculum and the impact that content has on the nurse’s professional development.

Scope of Curriculum

ADN and BSN programs share the same core nursing courses that teach students the competencies to become registered nurses and the clinical hours required to obtain licensure. However, BSN programs typically offer a more robust and comprehensive nursing curriculum that goes beyond the minimum requirements for licensure.

For example, BSN programs offer some courses that ADN programs do not, such as leadership training, nursing research, ethics, informatics, and advanced nursing theory. These additional courses provide BSN nurses with a better understanding of complex nursing concepts and technology in the workplace – concepts and skills that are increasingly in demand as the healthcare system evolves.

Competencies Differences

The difference between ADN-educated nurses and BSN-prepared nurses is significant when it comes to professional skills and competencies. A growing body of research has shown that patient outcomes and quality of care improve with BSN-educated nurses. For example, the last ten years of research conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing shows a correlation between higher levels of nursing education and lower patient mortality, fewer medical errors, and lower hospital readmission rates.

This is not to say that ADN nurses are less capable than BSN nurses or that ADN nurses offer less care than nurses with a BSN degree. The ADN nurse is highly skilled and competent in the technical aspects of nursing care. BSN nurses are simply better trained and qualified to tackle complex patient cases thanks to the more comprehensive nursing curriculum of a BSN program.

Advantages of an ADN Degree

The associate degree in nursing is a popular option for nursing students. It is a relatively fast and inexpensive way to become a registered nurse compared to its alternative, the four-year BSN degree. Students who pursue an ADN often do so because it allows them to gain a solid foundation for a healthcare career and quickly enter the field of nursing. Other advantages of an ADN include:
  • It is considerably less time-consuming and costly than a bachelor’s degree.
  • It meets the education and clinical training requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
  • It allows you to begin practicing as an RN sooner than a four-year BSN.
  • Admission requirements are less rigorous than a BSN program, making it a more accessible option for some students.
  • ADN programs are clinically intense, so you will be prepared to practice nursing in a real-world setting immediately after graduating.

Disadvantages of an ADN Degree

While the associate degree in nursing is a relatively quick and affordable way to begin a career as a registered nurse, it has some disadvantages that should be considered before you decide. 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.
  • You may still need to earn a BSN. Several states require RNs to earn a BSN under new “BSN in 10” laws. If you are employed in one of these states, you will be required to complete a BSN within ten years of earning your RN license.
  • Career advancement may be limited. Many leadership and advanced practice nursing roles (nurse practitioner, nurse educator) require a BSN degree to be considered for the position.

ADN Degree Jobs

ADN nurses have many options available to them after graduation, including many unique opportunities for their nursing degree. Registered nurses with associate degrees can work in various healthcare settings and complete additional certifications that add value to their degree in nursing specialties such as pediatrics, surgery, oncology, and geriatrics.

Here are five of the best-paying job opportunities for nurses with an ADN:

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses provide direct patient care, including assessing patient health, administering medication and treatments, formulating treatment plans, and coordinating care with other healthcare team members. They educate patients and their families about health conditions and disease prevention and supervise licensed practical nurses and nurse aides.

Emergency Room Nurse

ER nurses provide direct patient care in an emergency room setting. They are responsible for treating patients with serious injuries, illnesses, and other medical emergencies. This includes stabilizing patients to prevent further health complications, performing diagnostic tests, preparing patients for transport, and administering emergency aid.

Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses provide direct care to patients with cancer. They are responsible for assessing patient health, formulating treatment plans, administering chemotherapy and other treatments, monitoring the side effects of treatment regimens, and providing emotional support to patients and their families. They also play an essential role as patient advocates, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and have access to resources and educational services.

Home Health Nurse

A home health nurse provides high-quality, specialized nursing care to patients at home by providing patient education and administering medications. They also follow up on the progress of home health patients and assess their needs for medication adjustments. Home Health Nurses provide a wide range of services that include assisting with wound care, monitoring blood pressure and oxygen levels, administering oxygen therapy, intravenous therapy, assisted feeding therapy, and bladder control training.

Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nurses are responsible for providing direct care to pediatric patients. They are responsible for monitoring the general health of pediatric patients, administering treatments, educating parents, and providing emotional support. Pediatric nurses offer specialized care to children who are experiencing chronic health problems. They help assess the needs of their patients and work with specialists to ensure that children get the best possible outcomes for their conditions.

ADN Degree Salary

While it is true that RNs with an ADN tend to earn less than RNs with a BSN, the gap is much narrower than many people believe. A 2018 study of nursing salaries and benefits found that the median salary for an RN with an ADN was approximately 5% less than BSN-educated nurses. This amounts to an average annual salary of roughly $76,000 for ADN nurses compared to $82,750 for BSN-educated nurses.

The chart below provides a breakdown of the median annual salaries of RNs with an ADN versus their counterparts with a BSN in the ten highest-paying states for ADN-educated registered nurses.

STATEADN SALARY *BSN SALARY *
Washington$87,145$93,639
Maryland$85,327$87,391
New York$83,878$95,197
Nebraska$83,617$86,072
Virginia$82,521$84,944
New Hampshire$81,100$91,773
Colorado$81,070$81,538
South Carolina$80,891$81,931
Missouri$79,868$81,120
Delaware$79,855$81,648
* Zip Recruiter, Average ADN RN Salary by State, October 2021

ADN Degree Resources

ADN Degree FAQ

Can you be an RN with an associate's degree?

Yes. Earning an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. ADN-educated nurses who pass the NCLEX-RN exam and meet all other state board of nursing requirements will be licensed to practice as registered nurses (RN).

Is getting an associate's degree in nursing worth it?

There are several advantages and disadvantages of earning an associate’s degree. The most significant benefit is that ADN degrees are typically less expensive and time-consuming than BSN degrees. Students enrolled in ADN programs can complete their education and begin work in approximately two years instead of four years for BSN degrees. The biggest drawback of earning an ADN is that you may make less than a BSN-educated nurse and may receive fewer opportunities for advancement than your colleagues with a higher level of education.

How hard is RN schooling?

Whether ADN, BSN, or RN diploma, a registered nursing program can be challenging depending on your aptitude for the course material and educational background. Registered nurses are trusted with the care and lives of their patients, which means that they are held to high academic and professional standards. Accordingly, RN programs are rigorous, requiring students to complete a demanding course of study.

Is it hard to get a job with an associate's degree in nursing?

Over time it has become more difficult for nurses to find work beyond entry-level positions with only an associate’s degree. Fewer nursing jobs, especially those in advanced roles or leadership positions, are available to those with less than a BSN degree. This trend is expected to continue as education standards for nursing programs increase and employers move toward more stringent hiring practices.

Read More