What is an ADN Degree in Nursing?
If you enjoy helping other people, a nursing career is most likely on top of your career choices. A career in nursing has several benefits. Apart from experiencing a surplus in demand, nursing is also a lucrative career. According to a 2017 BLS report, an average nurse makes $70,000 per year.
However, if you specialize in a specific field, your salary will hike significantly. There are different paths that you can follow to become a nurse, but the most popular is through an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program.
What is an ADN?
An ADN (associate degree in nursing) is a degree program to help prepare you for taking the NCLEX exam. Upon passing this exam, and meeting some other criteria, you will officially be a registered nurse (RN).
Some nursing colleges accept nursing students into the ADN program if they have their Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) certificate or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Although these certificates will increase your chances of getting accepted into an ADN program, they aren’t compulsory.
Advantages of Receiving an ADN
Get into the workforce more quickly: Although receiving your ADN isn’t a shortcut to joining the healthcare industry, it is a much faster way to get your degree and join the workforce sooner compared to the time it would take you to earn a BSN. In less than two years, you could start applying to entry-level jobs at clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities. Sometimes even sooner in an accelerated program.
Suitable for new career seekers: If you are already a working professional whether in the healthcare industry or a completely unrelated field, an ADN can help you to easily transition into your new career choice.
What the ADN Means for Future Nurses
The ADN is usually the first degree that most nurses acquire, that is if they choose not to go straight to the BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) degree program. This degree option is available for those who don’t have financial capacities or the time to pursue the four-year degree program.
After you have completed your ADN degree, you will have to take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) for you to become a registered nurse. After becoming an RN, you will have the option to pursue an RN to BSN program. You will find this option on online institutions as well as traditional institutions. It is in the BSN degree program that you will learn both leadership and philosophy.
Why is Education Important for Nurses?
One of the key messages from the Future of Nursing report by the Institute of Medicine is that “Nurses should aspire to achieve a higher level of training through improved educational systems that facilitate seamless academic progression.” This is important because of the impending inability to meet the growing demand for a highly trained nursing workforce.
Qualified nurses should continue their education to keep up to date with advancement in the medical field. Knowledge is the most powerful tool in the healthcare field and a well-educated nurse can mean the difference between life and death of a patient.
Furthering your education will also offer you a broader career opportunity. You may find yourself moving from a hospital environment into research. Additional qualifications may also offer you the opportunity to move into specialty areas in the medical field or you can still work as a nurse practitioner.
When studying for an extra qualification, you will improve your critical care and decision making skills, and this will make you eligible for senior nursing positions such as clinical nurse specialist, nurse unit manager or director of nursing. Carrying on with your education won’t have to be difficult. There are many schools that offer day classes or evening nursing classes that are flexible and that will allow you to learn at the time that suits you most.
Are you interested in being a nurse? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree, consider ECPI University for your education. With flexible classes and an accelerated schedule, you could see yourself graduating in as little as 18 months. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Nursing (ADN) - Associate’s
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