An ADN nursing program is one of the three ways that a registered nurse (RN) enters the field of nursing. An individual can become a registered nurse following three paths:
- Diploma from an approved program
- ADN nursing program
- Bachelor’s degree in Science in nursing (BSN)
Programs designed to result in an associate’s degree in nursing represents an intermediate way of entering the field of nursing in terms of cost, time and education. Often the ADN nursing program is offered by a community college or other institutes of higher learning, the programs help the student gain credits for future college studies and an associate’s degree in the field. The courses can be taken in the classroom, online or often a combination of the two. Many people who graduate with an associate’s degree in nursing go on to earn their bachelors degree in nursing; they often pursue this goal on a part time basis while working.
In the past the only option for getting an associate’s degree in nursing was in a traditional classroom setting, often in a community college. It was thought that online teaching was an inferior way to gain education in this demanding field and financial aid was only being offered to students who opted for in-classroom education. Traditional associate degrees in nursing require from two to three years of study to complete. In the first year the student focuses on receiving liberal arts and other prerequisite courses needed for a degree rather than simply a diploma. Years two and three are dedicated to nursing, anatomy, physiology courses, etc as well as serving practicum’s in medical facilities such as hospitals and out-patient clinics.
An online ADN nursing program has become very popular, the reputation of the programs has grown substantially and they are now eligible for various financial aid programs offered by local, state and national grants. This type of education is beneficial for those students who reside a considerable distance from a traditional campus or must work when traditional in-school classes are in session. In the past those who took the online option were required to make special arrangements to be a participant in clinical practicums, this is no longer the case. Although the bulk of the courses can be taken online the student still has to visit the campus but these trips are not as frequent as they once were.
