The further a nurse can go with studying the better, because these days with the number of people needing nursing care as well as the technological advances in life support machines and equipment used to treat patients, nurses should be as qualified as possible. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program prepares students to take on the role of a professional nurse in a variety of clinical settings.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the opportunities for trained nurses is expected to grow at an astonishing rate, which means that job prospects for qualified nurses looks bright. Most LPNs want to go on to become a registered nurse, and maybe even something higher, simply because job prospects are even better. Licensed practical nurses can choose from several LPN to ADN programs and classes are offered during the day and the evenings. Sometimes simulation equipment and mannequins will be used in a hospital setting for students to get a real feel of what is waiting for them.
To be accepted into ADN programs, students need to follow the correct application process, bearing in mind that ADN programs are selective, and filling in an application form won’t guarantee acceptance into the ADN program.
The Road to Becoming a Registered Nurse
The Associate degree is the minimum entry level requirement for licensure as a Registered Nurse. ADN nursing programs are designed for those who are already a nurse, although in some states it is for anyone with no previous nursing education but who wants to go on to become a registered nurse. For those with no previous experience, after completing the first semester in the ADN program, you will already have the skills to become a nurse aide.
ADN programs are mostly offered in community colleges and increasingly at many online schools, with the training being geared towards the technical skills of nursing. Clinical and classroom aspects prepare ADN nurses for nursing roles that require both nursing theory and technical proficiency.
Make Sure ADN Programs are Accredited
If you are looking at a community college the best way for admission is to attend a nursing information session where a counselor will be able to tell you how the admissions process works and answer all your questions. For information on admission you can call 919-536-7202. Subjects like science, anatomy, microbiology, maths and English are part of the academic side. Remember that whichever way you decide to do your ADN programs, that accreditation and state approval is of utmost importance. The college or online school should have received accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC)and it will also need to be approved by the state where licensure will take place.
Many ADN Campuses to Choose From
ADN degrees are only available in the United States, but students around the world can obtain an ADN through the programs offered in US whether at college or online. From Alabama and Arkansas to California, Indiana, Texas to West Virginia, there are Associate Degree in Nursing Programs; in fact there are more than one thousand different campuses to choose from.
ADN or BSN?
Nursing is fairly complex when it comes to knowing exactly which diploma or degree to go for, and students always want to know whether LPN to ADN is the way to go, or to do LPN to BSN. An Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN ) will usually takes two years to complete, while the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree will take four. They both lead to becoming a registered nurse.
The time you have on your hands as well as your long-term nursing career goals will often determine which one you will pursue as well as how many academic credits are required. Nurses are drawn to ADN programs because not only do they cost less, and are quicker to complete, graduates are able to start working far quicker. Finding a nursing school where you can take an LPN to ADN program is not difficult because nursing schools can be found everywhere in the United States.
My Nursing Career website offers a fantastic list of accredited colleges and universities offering ADN courses as well as online nursing degrees. You can click on any of the Health/Nursing Degrees for more valuable information.
Financial Aid for Students
Whichever community college you apply at, as well as for online courses, you can always request information about financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and student loans which can be sent with your admissions information. If you need financial aid for the ADN program, work with one of your financial aid counselors as soon as possible as there are limits for financial aid. The aim of financial aid is to help students to complete the academic path of their choice. Information regarding financial aid programs can be found at FAFSA, although there are many opportunities for scholarships, grants and student loans through other organizations.
Many nurses however, find that they just don’t have the time to attend classes, but online LPN to ADN programs means nurses with time constraints can earn a fully accredited Associate Degree in Nursing. With an online nursing degree like this, there are many benefits:
- you can learn from home anytime you want and anywhere
- there is no waiting list or full classes
- financing is available
- online academic support is available
Times have certainly changed and going for an ADN degree is not half as difficult as it used to be, what with the Internet. An LPN can complete the ADN online program relatively quickly where applying at a college can be difficult . Students can enjoy convenient curricula that you can complete in your own time. Clinical time is simply scheduled at a facility which is closest to you and will include gaining experience in hospitals, home health care, ambulatory clinics as well as public health departments. Along with this supervised clinical experience, some of the courses the student will take are:
- Foundations of Nursing Care – an introductory course where the student will learn the history and concepts of nursing practice as well as basic nursing skills
- Pharmacology – students get to learn about administration of drugs and their impact on the body
- Principles of Clinical Decision Making – disease and pain management
- Maternity Nursing Care – prenatal care, labor, delivery and postpartum treatment as well as caring for the newborn
- Pediatric Nursing – care of patients from infancy to age twelve
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Care – preoperative and postoperative care
Some places will required that you are a currently registered nurse in order to enroll into many of these programs, and some of the online courses will also require that you are working as well. You don’t have to worry, because doing your program online will still make provision for getting actual clinical experience.
An Associates Degree in Nursing can allow you to fill higher nursing positions and allow you a better rate of pay. Job prospects for graduates of an ADN program are excellent as demand for nurses continues to grow. The degrees provide a start towards earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree for anyone wanting to go even further with their nursing education.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
With this degree, you will have the skills and knowledge to be a highly skilled nurse in a variety of settings. The ADN nursing program, like all the nursing programs combines classroom theory as well as clinical experiences in hospitals and completion of both is required for the ADN program. Once you have graduated with the Associates Degree in Nursing program, you will need to pass the national licensing examination, known as the National Council Licensure Examination, (NCLEX-RN) in order to get a nursing license. Getting this degree is the stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse. ADN holders who pass the NCLEX are qualified to apply for entry-level jobs in many health care facilities.
An ADN Degree adds an Additional Amount of Responsibility
ADN nursing programs are usually about two years, but this will differ according to experience which you may already have. From the ADN to BSN you can add another two years of studying. Once completed, ADN nursing programs will mean you will be able to earn more but also feel more confident about being even more responsible than ever. The medical field is constantly changing, and every bit of training can only better your chances for a brilliant nursing career.
Conclusion
Sought after qualities of a nurse include the ability to work individually as well as working with a team of medical professionals. Another important quality is caring for people who will in all likelihood be total strangers to you. You will need to be reassuring, strong, patient, caring and reliable and be able to act quickly and decisively in emergencies. ADN programs include nursing theory, but the main focus of LPN to ADN is to give you all the skills for fantastic bed-side patient care skills.
