If you’re considering a career in nursing, pursuing an associate degree program can be an excellent starting point. With the demand for skilled nurses continually increasing, it’s crucial to choose a program that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this rewarding profession.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the top eight associate degree programs in nursing for 2023. Each program on this list offers a robust foundation in nursing education, hands-on clinical experiences, and prepares students for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Join us as we explore these esteemed programs and discover the possibilities they hold for aspiring nurses. Whether you’re a high school graduate or contemplating a career change, this guide will help you find the ideal path to a successful nursing career.
Top 8 Associate Degree Programs in Nursing Studies 2023
Anne Arundel Community College – Arnold, MD:
Prepare for a rewarding career as a registered nurse through Anne Arundel Community College’s ADN program. With a comprehensive 70-credit curriculum, you’ll gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience through classroom learning, hands-on training at our state-of-the-art simulation lab, and clinical rotations in various healthcare settings. These include hospitals, pediatric units, surgical units, critical care units, and emergency rooms. This program focuses on developing your professional skills, ensuring a smooth transition into the workforce. For LPNs, paramedics, and veterans, we offer advanced placement directly into the second year of the program. Additionally, our college has transfer agreements with numerous in-state and out-of-state institutions, allowing you to seamlessly transfer credits toward a BSN degree.
Hagerstown Community College – Hagerstown, MD:
At Hagerstown Community College, we offer a nursing degree program with two tracks: traditional and advanced placement. The traditional track is suitable for students without prior healthcare experience, while the advanced placement track is open to LPNs, paramedics, and veterans looking to advance their careers. We also provide the opportunity to pursue a dual degree of ADN and BSN in collaboration with Frostburg State and Towson University. The traditional ADN track takes two years to complete, with 16 credits per semester. By completing general education courses before starting the nursing coursework, you can shorten the program duration. Our curriculum integrates theory, lab learning, and clinical experiences, focusing on nursing care for individuals, families, and the community.
Manchester Community College – Manchester, NH:
If you’re passionate about serving the community and pursuing a career as a registered nurse, Manchester Community College offers an associate degree in nursing that will set you on the right path. Our program emphasizes evidence-based nursing practice, providing you with the knowledge and skills to deliver culturally relevant nursing care. Throughout the program, you’ll enhance your critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and communication abilities, while also gaining proficiency in the implementation of professional nursing laws, ethics, and healthcare informatics. Admission to this program is competitive, and completing courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology with a minimum grade of “C” can enhance your chances.
Northampton Community College – Bethlehem, PA:
Northampton Community College’s nursing degree program equips you with the art and science of nursing through a 71-credit coursework that combines general education and nursing courses. You have the flexibility to complete general education courses either face-to-face or online, ideally before starting the nursing curriculum. The nursing courses emphasize experiential learning in our labs and acute and long-term patient care settings. By the end of the program, you’ll be prepared to collaborate with other healthcare team members and provide competent patient care. We also welcome LPNs who are eager to advance their nursing education.
Community College of Beaver County – Monaca, PA:
A career as a registered nurse is crucial in healthcare, and the Community College of Beaver County offers an ADN training program that provides the quickest entry into this field. Our well-designed curriculum focuses on developing nursing skills and preparing you to function effectively within the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Our simulation lab replicates real patient scenarios, allowing you to sharpen your skills before applying them in clinical settings, including hospitals and healthcare agencies in Beaver, Allegheny, and Lawrence counties. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and earn the title of a registered nurse.
State Fair Community College – Sedalia, MO:
State Fair Community College’s nursing program prepares you to work as a registered nurse in diverse clinical settings. Our associate degree in nursing incorporates evidence-based and culturally relevant nursing care. The program consists of two levels: the first year focuses on LPN coursework, followed by RN courses. You can choose to exit the program with an LPN credential or continue to become a registered nurse. Regardless of your degree level, our excellent faculty and state-of-the-art simulation learning will support your career goals, allowing you to practice nursing skills thoroughly in a non-threatening environment.
Washington State Community College – Marietta, OH:
Washington State Community College is renowned in Ohio for its quality and affordable ADN education. Our program emphasizes developing vital traits required for a successful nursing career, including compassion, critical thinking ability, and professional competence. The program typically takes two years to complete, but it can be extended up to three years if needed. Our well-balanced coursework combines general education, natural science, and nursing courses. To optimize your focus on the technical aspects of the curriculum, we recommend completing non-nursing courses before starting the nursing coursework. LPN graduates with an active license can enter directly into the second year of the program, building upon their prior nursing knowledge.
Oakton Community College – Des Plaines, IL:
To meet the increasing demand for quality patient care providers, Oakton Community College offers an RN program that includes an LPN exit pathway. Our sequential curriculum requires you to take semester-specific courses, particularly if you haven’t completed general education and science courses before beginning the nursing coursework. Throughout the 66-credit program, you’ll cover essential subjects such as human development, microbiology, nursing concepts, and nursing pharmacology. After completion, you’ll be proficient in collaborating with other healthcare team members and utilizing healthcare informatics to provide safe and competent patient care.
Century College – White Bear Lake, MN:
Century College provides a nursing program that prepares aspiring registered nurses for a rewarding healthcare career. With an affordable tuition cost, our 75-credit RN curriculum combines humanities, social and behavioral sciences, logical reasoning, and nursing courses. We aim to train you in delivering culturally relevant patient care across diverse clinical settings. The program incorporates rigorous didactic coursework, supplemented by experiential learning opportunities in private and community clinics, as well as acute and long-term care facilities. If you plan to pursue a BSN education, our statewide alliance with partner schools allows you to complete it with just three additional semesters of upper-division courses, saving you time and money.
Associate degree programs in nursing provide a solid foundation for aspiring nurses, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their profession.
Our exploration of the top 8 associate degree programs in nursing studies for 2023 has revealed exceptional options for prospective students. Each program stands out for its comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to producing competent and compassionate nurses.
Whether you choose to pursue a degree in a traditional classroom setting or opt for the flexibility of an online program, these top associate degree programs in nursing studies ensure that students receive a quality education and practical training, preparing them to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry.