ADN Degree
EveryNurse Staff
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.
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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?
“ADN” is an abbreviation for “Associate Degree in Nursing.” In the United States, community colleges, vocational schools, and some four-year institutions award this nursing degree. ADN programs prepare students with focused coursework in nursing theory, health promotion, clinical practice, and patient care.
For many aspiring nurses, an ADN is the first step toward a lifelong career in healthcare. 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).
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.
What Nurses Say About ADN Degrees
An ADN focuses solely on nursing, with lectures, labs, and clinical rotations. A BSN includes the same nursing program as the ADN but with additional studies for a broader understanding of various subjects. Can you be a great nurse with an ADN? Absolutely. Will having a BSN help you advance more quickly? In my experience, yes! It’s also true that with determination, an ADN can advance their career, while having a BSN doesn’t guarantee excellence.
I started with an ADN before transferring to do my BSN. I highly recommend it. You get the same degree in the same time, but you save money by starting at a community college before transferring to a university. Another benefit is that some hospitals will pay your tuition to get your bachelor’s degree. This worked very well for me as I worked while in college, saving money and still getting the same degree in the same time as a traditional 4-year college student.
If I could do it again, I would start by getting my ADN and working as an RN to earn a decent paycheck. Then, I would pursue an online program for my BSN at a lower cost. The college you get your BSN from doesn’t matter much, just having the BSN is what’s important. I paid a lot for my BSN at a university. Even with 4 years of CNA experience at the same hospital where I started as a nurse, I earned the same as new ADN grads. Some places do pay more for having a BSN, but not everywhere.
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 coursework online while gaining essential clinical skills and experience in a traditional classroom setting.
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.
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 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.
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 BSN-educated nurses improve patient outcomes and quality of care.
For example, research conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing over the last ten years 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. Thanks to a BSN program’s more comprehensive nursing curriculum, BSN nurses are better trained and qualified to tackle complex patient cases.
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 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.
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