Working as a nurse can be a rewarding career path, especially if you’re a compassionate person who enjoys helping others. However, you may be concerned that completing the necessary schooling and training to obtain a nursing degree could be a major challenge. We would like to assure you that’s not the case. With an Associate of Science Nursing degree, you can complete your education in as little as two years. From there, you’ll be ready to test for your licensure and enter the workforce as a confident and capable registered nurse.
Different Types of Nursing Education
There are many programs offered in the nursing field, which can be overwhelming if you’re just beginning your research. Let’s break things down a bit so you can better understand the different types of nursing education and what they entail.
- Practical Nurse Program- This type of program is typically the quickest way to start working in the nursing field, as it only requires a diploma. However, completing this program licenses you as a practical nurse, not a registered nurse.
- Associate Degree in Nursing – An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) enables you to test for licensure as a registered nurse. These degree programs typically take around two years to complete.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing – A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a popular choice for RN’s who have long term goals of pursuing advanced roles as a nurse. These degrees usually take around four years to complete, though it’s not uncommon for those with an Associate Degree in Nursing to enroll into a RN to BSN
- Master of Science in Nursing – With this type of specialized degree, registered nurses can gain more nursing skills and continue to move in their career path. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program usually takes an additional two years beyond a BSN, but this can vary from one program to the next.
Is Getting an RN Associate Degree Worth It?
An ADN can be worth pursuing if you want to become a registered nurse and begin working in the field as soon as possible. It’s the quickest path to working as a registered nurse and provides you with the real-world skills you’ll need to provide excellent patient care. Registered nurses with associate degrees under their belts can work in a wide range of settings that include physician’s offices, hospitals, nursing care facilities, and schools.
Why You Should Pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing
Still not convinced? Consider some of the best reasons to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing to kickstart your career.
Shorter Completion Time
Compared to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, an Associate of Science in Nursing program takes about half the time to complete. This means you can start working in the field and put your skills to use up to two years sooner.
Affordable Tuition
A shorter completion time also means more affordable tuition, as you’ll be paying for fewer credit hours to graduate.
Nursing Field
If you’re looking for a career that will provide you with a meaningful career path, look no further than nursing. Across the globe, many students are starting their careers in nursing to be challenged and enjoy their job. Whether you work in a hospital setting, at a school, with in-home care, or even as a virtual provider, your nursing career can help you find fulfillment and find the best position for you and your needs.
Gain Practical Work Experience
Completing a registered nursing program also means you’ll gain some practical work experience along the way. Many of these registered nursing programs include practicum or clinical hours, so you’ll be able to enjoy some time working in an actual medical setting and assist in caring for patients. This type of hands-on experience is something that cannot be replicated in the classroom and will come in handy when you start applying for jobs after graduation.
Variety of Career Opportunities
Completing your Associate of Science in Nursing means you can test to be a licensed as a registered nurse. This distinction opens all kinds of career opportunities. Registered nurses, for example, can work in the following settings:
- Hospitals and emergency rooms
- Physician’s offices
- Nursing homes
- Schools
- In-home healthcare
- Pediatrician’s offices
- Telehealthcare
With so many possibilities and career paths to choose from, you can use your degree to find the type of work that best suits your interests and schedule.
Strong Foundation in Patient Care
At the end of the day, being a successful nurse all comes down to patient care. Being able to confidently and compassionately care for your patients requires a strong foundation of patient care in the classroom. The right ADN program will emphasize this as part of your coursework so that you’re set up for success and growth.
Step Toward a BSN Degree
One of the best things about earning an ADN is that you always have the option to take it a step further and pursue your RN to BSN as well. In fact, this is a route that many registered nurses take. They complete their associate programs, get jobs in the field, and then return to school for another couple of years to complete their BSNs like attending the BSN post-licensure program with Carrington College while they’re working, gaining experience, and earning a living.
Chance to Help People
If you genuinely enjoy helping others, then working as a registered nurse can be a gratifying job. Each day, you’ll have opportunities to help patients from all walks of life while making a true difference in their health and wellness. As a registered nurse, you’ll be able to finish each work day knowing that you did everything you could to help your patients and provide quality care.
Personal Fulfillment
While working in nursing certainly does come with its challenges (as with any other career), those who are already working in the field consider it to be a very fulfilling career choice. In fact, one survey found that 83 percent of nurses are satisfied[i] with their choice of nursing as a career.
What to Look For in an ADN Program
With so many ADN programs available, choosing the right one for you can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, Carrington College makes preparing for your career in nursing straightforward, with affordable tuition, an Associate of Science in Nursing program that can be completed in as little as two years. Request more information or contact us at (877) 206-2106 to learn more! Visit carrington.edu/admissions/student-consumer-information/ for important information on program outcomes. [i] www.businessinsider.com/what-its-really-like-to-be-a-nurse-2018-4
