Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Guide

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Guide: Opportunities With an ADN

partial online offering

clinical hours required

Explore the nursing field

See if a nursing career fits your goals and temperaments without committing to a 4-year program.

Credit transfer

Credits from an ADN can transfer to a 4-year college to obtain a BSN.

• • Average Program Length: 2 Years

• • Average Credits Required: 60-75

• • Average Earning Potential: $48,500-$73,300

Become an RN

Getting an ADN provides the necessary credentials and prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN.

Skills Learned

Critical thinking, communication, and organization.

Featured ADN Specialties

An ADN program offers learners one of the fastest paths to becoming an RN. On this page, find admission requirements, earning potential, and much more.

How Much Will I Make With an Associate Degree in Nursing?

*SOURCE: PayScale.com

Admission Requirements for an ADN Program

Admission requirements for two-year ADN programs vary by school. However, applicants must typically submit:

Core Concepts in an ADN Program

ADN programs feature courses in nursing practice, prepare learners for the NCLEX examand develop through both classroom work and clinical experience. ADN students take classes that may include:

These competencies help nurses meet patients’ needs and employ logical thinking and accurate nursing skills like:

Clinical and Lab Components in an ADN Program

In addition to coursework, the ADN curriculum includes simulation labs and on-site clinical rotations.

• • Simulation labs allow students to practice skills in a controlled, safe environment.

• • In clinical rotations, students learn to care for patients under the direction of a staff nurse and assigned clinical instructor, Students learn, under supervision, to care for a small number of patients.

• • Accredited ADN programs typically include 500 hours of clinical experiences and meet state licensure and national accreditation requirements.

What to Expect From an Online ADN Program

Distance learners receive the same training as their on-campus counterparts. While coursework is delivered online, clinical hours must be completed in person at a healthcare facility near the student’s home. However, during the current pandemic, some programs may offer virtual clinical experiences.

Online courses fall into two categories: asynchronous, which includes prerecorded lectures students can access on their own schedules, and synchronous, which simulates the traditional classroom experience through a live feed or similar format. Remote learners need a reliable internet connection and a computer. Programs offer tech support, along with services like advising, counseling, and tutoring, online or by phone.

Should I Get an ADN or BSN?

An associate degree in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in nursing both prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-RN. However, due to the more extensive education and practice requirements involved in bachelor’s programs, graduates with a BSN typically enjoy more responsibility and higher pay than ADN-holders.

While a BSN typically takes longer to complete than an ADN, there are many RN-to-BSN bridge programs that allow bachelor’s students to expedite graduation.