An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) opens up numerous career opportunities in healthcare. An ADN offers a quicker, more affordable route into nursing, compared to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Do you want (or need) to start working in the nursing field as quickly as possible? In as little as two years, you can obtain an associate’s degree in nursing and enter the workforce. Let’s explore career opportunities available to nurses holding an ADN.
Career pathways with an associate’s degree in nursing
For some ADN graduates, becoming an RN is the next step. Once you’re an RN, you can choose from a wide variety of healthcare settings. The median salary for RNs was $80,000, according to our Nurse.com 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report.
Here are some common work environments where those who earned an associate’s degree in nursing can find employment:
- Hospitals: Hospitals are the largest employers of RNs, providing opportunities to work in different departments such as surgical units, critical care, pediatrics, or emergency departments. RNs in hospitals often work in fast-paced environments, handling diverse and complex patient cases.
- Clinics and outpatient centers: RNs in these settings care for patients who don’t require hospitalization. You’ll conduct health screenings, assist with minor procedures, and administer vaccines, among other tasks.
- Long-term care facilities: As an RN holding an associate’s degree in nursing in this setting, you’ll care for patients who need extended care due to disabilities, aging, or chronic illnesses. There is currently a high demand for nurses in long-term care. You’ll have the opportunity to build long-term relationships with your patients.
- Rehabilitation: In this practice setting, you’ll help patients recover from surgery, injury, or illness. Rehabilitation nurses develop and implement care plans, working closely with physical therapists.
- Home healthcare: You’ll provide medical care to patients who are recovering from surgery, managing chronic health conditions, or getting palliative care. Home health nurses have significant flexibility in their work schedules and have a high level of autonomy in their daily tasks.
Consider taking the next step
With an associate’s degree in nursing, RNs can pursue specialized roles that align with their interests or expertise. You might want to switch to geriatric nursing, critical care nursing, mental health nursing, or oncology nursing among other possibilities. If you do decide to specialize, you’ll need to obtain additional training or certification.
Your associate’s degree in nursing gives you a solid foundation to jumpstart a nursing career. However, many nurses with ADNs decide to continue their education by pursuing a higher degree. You’ll want to consider these healthcare trends:
- Some hospitals are making BSN degrees mandatory for nurses.
- Some hospitals hire nurses with ADNs, based on the agreement that they’ll obtain BSNs within a certain timeframe.
- Under New York state’s 2017 “BSN in 10” law, new nurses must complete an RN-BSN degree program within 10 years of licensure.
Here are two pathways for career advancement for nurses with ADNs:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): After getting your associate’s degree in nursing, you may decide to obtain a BSN. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), most AACN member schools offer RN-to-BSN programs for graduates of ADN programs.
Obtaining a BSN can improve job prospects so you can qualify for positions with higher salaries. Over 70% of the nursing workforce held a BSN or higher, according to the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey. If your time is tight due to your work schedule, consider a BSN program that offers online or part-time options.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Obtaining an MSN opens the door to even more possibilities, including advanced practice roles (such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist).
4 advantages of obtaining an ADN
- Shorter duration: An associate’s degree in nursing program usually takes about two years to complete. This allows new nurses to enter the workforce sooner than those who obtain a BSN, which is typically a four-year program.
- Lower cost: These nursing programs are often less expensive than BSN programs. This makes it a more affordable option for many students.
- Job readiness: Associate’s degree in nursing programs emphasizes the hands-on clinical skills needed for patient care. This prepares graduates to start working as RNs immediately after passing the NCLEX exam. In contrast, BSN programs focus more on topics, such as nursing theory or health policy, in addition to hands-on skills.
- Flexibility: Graduates of associate’s degree in nursing programs can gain valuable experience working as an RN, while deciding whether to pursue additional education or specialize in a particular area.
Challenges and considerations
An associate’s degree in nursing offers numerous opportunities. Holders of this degree can become an RN — you don’t necessarily need to go further and obtain a BSN degree.
However, some employers do prefer or require a BSN for certain positions. And in competitive job markets, nurses with a BSN will have an advantage over those with an ADN.
Additionally, some advanced practice roles or leadership positions require a BSN or higher degree. Nurses with an ADN would need to pursue further education to pursue those opportunities.
Are you unsure whether to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing or a BSN? Consider these questions:
- Do you want to enter the workforce as quickly as possible?
- How will the length and intensity of each program fit into your current life situation, including work and family responsibilities?
- How do the tuition and fees compare between the programs?
- Do you want to work in specialized fields (such as critical care or public health) that might require a BSN?
- Are you aiming for leadership or administrative roles, that typically require a BSN or higher?
A valuable and versatile credential
Those with an associate’s degree in nursing find their careers highly rewarding. Working as an RN, you’ll make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. An associate’s degree in nursing opens lots of opportunities, including working in a diverse variety of healthcare settings.
The diverse career paths available to ADN graduates allow for lots of flexibility. You can work in the nursing field more quickly, while considering whether it makes sense to obtain additional education to pursue your professional goals.
Some nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing may find a fulfilling career they choose to stick with, with no additional education necessary. Others may decide, at a later point in time, to seek further education and/or specialization. Either way, an ADN offers an affordable pathway to a rewarding career in the nursing field.
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