What Is a 2-Year Nursing Degree Called?
What is a 2-year nursing degree called? Find out more about Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN) and different college degree options for aspiring nurses.
Nursing is a major sector of employment that offers career stability and meaningful work. There are multiple ways to become a nurse but they all involve earning a college degree.
A 2-year nursing degree is called an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Associate Degrees in Nursing are sometimes further broken down into Associate of Sciences in Nursing (ASN) or Associate of Arts in Nursing (AAN).
An Associate Degree in Nursing is the minimum education required to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse (RN).
Associate Degrees in Nursing
Earning and ADN is a quick route to employment in the field of healthcare. ADN degrees are offered at many community colleges and can typically be completed affordably.
The ability to start earning money quickly while spending less on tuition is a major advantage associated with a 2-year nursing degree.
Nursing students can also begin with an ADN degree and gain professional experience before completing additional education.
Learning more about the classes and requirements involved in 2-year nursing degree programs can help students make an informed decision.
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University of North Carolina
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Arizona State University
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What You'll Learn in a 2-Year Nursing Degree
An ADN degree gives students the core knowledge and skills needed to work in a clinical healthcare setting.
Common classes included in ADN programs include:
- foundations of nursing
- microbiology
- anatomy & physiology
- chemistry
- health assessment
- health and wellbeing across the lifespan
- professional issues in nursing
- college algebra
- psychology & mental health
- statistics
These classes will help students understand the human body, physiological processes, and professional standards in healthcare.
Clinical Experience Hours
Because nursing requires many practical skills that cannot be learned in a classroom format, accredited ADN degrees will include clinical experience hours.
Clinical experience hours allow nursing students to work under the supervision of more experienced practitioners and learn to deal with the day-to-day demands of nursing practice.
Most ADN programs will include between 600 and 900 hours of clinical experience before graduation.
Most ADN programs have partnerships with local hospitals or healthcare organizations to facilitate placements for clinical experience hours.
Is a 2-Year Nursing Degree Hard?
A 2-year nursing degree is the shortest degree that qualifies students to become registered nurses.
The perceived difficulty of an ADN degree will depend on each student's educational background, personal interests, and the specific nursing program.
Completing an ADN degree is an attainable goal for the majority of students and most programs will offer tutoring or academic support throughout the course of the program.
Picking a 2-Year Nursing Degree
Aspiring nurses should do their research to select an ADN program that will support their specific needs. Here are some factors to consider.
Cost
Students looking for the most affordable ADN programs should explore public colleges and universities in their state of residence.
Selecting an affordable ADN degree will allow students to begin a fruitful career with minimal student debt.
Campus
Due to the amount of hands-on training involved, most ADN degrees involve in-person study. Nursing students will do well to visit each potential campus to get a feel for the environment.
Although an ADN degree can be completed in two years, students will likely spend a lot of time on campus so it is important to ensure that the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Location
Another important factor to consider when choosing an ADN program is the region and location of the campus.
Selecting a program in an area with a sufficient number of nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities will give students more options for both clinical experience hours and potential employment after graduation.
Instructors
Nursing can be a demanding profession so entering the workforce under the right guidance and supervision is a key component of a positive experience.
Speaking to instructors at a potential ADN program can give you a feel for their level of knowledge and passion for teaching.
What Can You Do With a 2-Year Nursing Degree?
Completing an approved ADN degree qualifies students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and gain professional licensure as a registered nurse.
Nurses are in high demand and many areas of the country are experiencing an extreme shortage of qualified nurses.
Some nurses take advantage of regional shortages by becoming travel nurses and taking temporary work around the country. Travel nursing can be a great way to earn money and see new places.
Other common roles for graduates of ADN programs include psychiatric nurse, community health nurse, mental health nurse, hospital nurse, long-term care nurse, pediatric nurse, home health nurse, rehabilitation nurse, and occupational health nurse.
Continuing Education
Nurses who enter the workforce with an ADN will also have plenty of options to continue their education if they desire.
RN to BSN degrees have been specifically designed to allow registered nurses with ADN degrees to earn a Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Earning an ADN degree and then later completing an RN to BSN program can be a flexible and affordable way to progress in your healthcare career.
Nurses who wish to step into senior or leadership roles in healthcare can also pursue advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
An ADN degree positions students to select from a range of exciting educational and career pathways in an in-demand area of the economy.
Find a 2-Year Nursing Degree Today
If you are interested in becoming a nurse, it is important to select a program that will meet your educational and professional goals. Find the perfect 2-year nursing degree and start learning new skills today.
