It is possible to become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) by successfully completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. The ADN is one of the most common and fastest academic routes to enter the nursing profession. This two-year degree provides the foundational education necessary to qualify for the national licensing examination all prospective registered nurses must pass. The ADN path offers a direct entry point into the healthcare workforce, allowing graduates to begin their careers sooner than those pursuing a four-year degree.
The Associate Degree in Nursing Pathway
The Associate Degree in Nursing is typically offered by community colleges and technical schools, preparing students for entry-level professional practice in approximately two years. The curriculum is highly focused on clinical skills and direct patient care, emphasizing the practical competencies needed to work effectively in various healthcare settings. This concentrated approach allows students to move quickly from classroom theory to hands-on clinical experience.
The primary academic purpose of the ADN program is to prepare graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of an accredited program is the academic requirement for a candidate to be deemed eligible for this licensure exam. Once the program is complete and the license is obtained, the ADN-prepared nurse holds the exact same legal credential—Registered Nurse—as a nurse who has completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Steps to Become a Registered Nurse with an ADN
Complete an Accredited ADN Program
The first step involves attending a nursing program that has secured national accreditation, which is a requirement for licensure eligibility. The two primary national accrediting bodies for nursing education are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). ACEN specifically accredits all types of nursing programs, including the associate degree level, ensuring the curriculum meets rigorous national standards for quality and safety. Attending an accredited institution ensures that the education will be recognized by state boards of nursing and qualifies the student to take the NCLEX-RN.
Pass the NCLEX RN Examination
Graduation from an accredited ADN program is followed by the requirement to pass the NCLEX-RN, a standardized, computer-adaptive test that assesses a candidate’s ability to apply nursing knowledge safely and effectively. This examination is mandated by state boards of nursing across all 50 states and U.S. territories for an individual to earn the title of Registered Nurse. The NCLEX-RN confirms the graduate possesses the minimum competency level for entry-level practice.
Obtain State Licensure
The final step in the process is obtaining licensure from the State Board of Nursing (BON) in the state where the nurse intends to practice. The BON reviews the candidate’s application, including proof of graduation from an accredited program and confirmation of a passing NCLEX score. This stage also requires the completion of other state-specific requirements, such as a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Once all prerequisites are met and verified, the state board issues the official RN license, granting the individual the legal right to practice nursing.
Job Prospects and Employment Realities for ADN Nurses
While ADN graduates are fully licensed Registered Nurses, they must navigate an employment market where hiring preferences have become increasingly stratified. Prestigious hospital systems, particularly those designated as “Magnet” facilities, often require or strongly prefer that their RN staff hold a BSN degree. This preference can create initial barriers for ADN-prepared nurses seeking positions in large, competitive urban medical centers or teaching hospitals.
Job opportunities for ADN nurses are more abundant in environments where the demand for immediate clinical staff is high and the BSN requirement is less strictly enforced. This often includes rural hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and community clinics. These settings value the ADN nurse’s strong clinical foundation and quick entry into the workforce.
Initial salary differences between ADN and BSN nurses are often small at the entry level, influenced more by geographic location and specific employer than by degree alone. Over time, the salary gap may widen as BSN-prepared nurses qualify for more rapid advancement into specialized, supervisory, or management roles that come with higher compensation.
Comparing the ADN and BSN
The primary difference between the Associate Degree in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing lies in the time commitment, cost, and depth of the academic curriculum. The ADN is typically completed in two years, making it a faster and less expensive path to initial licensure. Conversely, the BSN is a four-year degree, entailing a higher overall tuition cost and delaying entry into the profession.
The academic distinction centers on the scope of study beyond core clinical skills. The ADN curriculum is heavily concentrated on providing direct patient care and mastering technical clinical tasks. The BSN curriculum encompasses all the clinical instruction of the ADN but includes significant additional coursework in areas such as nursing research, leadership theory, public health, and management. This broader education prepares BSN graduates for roles that involve system-wide thinking, evidence-based practice, and population health initiatives.
The BSN also functions as the prerequisite for career advancement into higher-level positions and further education. Roles in administration, nursing education, or advanced practice nursing (such as Nurse Practitioner) require a BSN as the minimum academic credential for admission to graduate programs. For the ADN nurse, a career ceiling exists without the completion of additional education.
Advancing Your Career: ADN to BSN Bridge Programs
For ADN-prepared nurses seeking career mobility, higher salaries, or a pathway to advanced education, the next step is enrollment in an ADN-to-BSN bridge program, frequently termed RN-to-BSN. These programs are designed for working nurses who already hold their RN license and wish to complete the bachelor’s degree. The structure of these programs acknowledges the nurse’s existing education and professional experience, often granting credit for the ADN coursework.
These bridge programs are known for their convenience, with many institutions offering flexible, part-time, and fully online options to accommodate a full-time work schedule. An RN-to-BSN program can often be completed in as little as 12 to 18 months, focusing on the supplemental leadership and theory courses required for the bachelor’s degree. Completing this bridge satisfies employer preferences for baccalaureate-prepared nurses and opens the door to pursuing Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees.