Professional Nursing (ADN/RN) Program
Associate's Degree
- Next Start Dates
- January 03, 2023
Your Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN): The First Step in Making a Difference as an RN
When you decide to become a registered nurse (RN), you’re making the choice to change lives, including your own. In our ADN nursing program, you’ll develop the skills you need for a career in caregiving.
In our hybrid ADN/RN program, we get you on track quickly with:
- No need for pre-nursing coursework
- No waiting list at many campuses for qualified applicants8
- Eight start dates per year at most campuses, while some offer four start dates per year
With a mix of online courses, on-campus lab simulations and clinical experiences in this ADN degree program, you’ll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN® licensure exam.3
Already an LPN? With our LPN to RN Bridge, you can advance your education to the next level in as few as 12 months.1
Learn More at a Nursing Information Session
On this page
What Types of Classes Will I Take?
In this hybrid ADN program, you’ll take online and on-campus courses, as well as participate in on-site clinicals. Here are some of the topics you’ll cover in this nursing Associate's degree.
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Nursing Care of the Older Adult
- Examine how personal attitudes and beliefs about aging impact healthcare for older adults
- Discover resources that promote autonomy and safety as patients age
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Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing
- Explore internal and external factors that impact a patient’s balance and well-being
- Study the effects of stress on a patient and their family, as well as the complexities of addressing mental health issues
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Dimensions of Nursing Practice
- Cover key principles of your professional nursing responsibilities
- Focus on how nursing is practiced in diverse healthcare settings with patients across their life span
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Role, Scope, Quality and Leadership in Professional Nursing
- Familiarize yourself with the various ways you can apply nursing theory
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ve gained in a clinical setting
"Being a nurse opens the doors to so many routes of life. I can’t wait to see where I fit in best."
Shannon B.
Graduate, Associate's Degree in Nursing
What Will I Be Prepared to Do When I'm Done?
Take the NCLEX-RN® Exam
Your NCLEX success is our goal. Taught by experienced faculty, our RN associate degree program prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN® national certification exam and become a confident RN.1
Confidently Work in Healthcare
Equipped with essential nursing training and employer-focused transferable skills, our ADN nursing graduates are able to confidently pursue in-demand RN roles. They work alongside diverse teams of healthcare professionals in a variety of settings: physician’s offices, private medical clinics, hospitals, home healthcare services and long-term care facilities.
Pursue a Growing Career
The projected job growth for Registered Nurses between 2020 and 2030 is 9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 That's as fast as the national average.
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
A Career of Lifelong Learning
Our ADN program is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and attitude you need to confidently sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam—an essential step to becoming a registered nurse.1 If you choose to advance your education beyond ADN/RN, we have nursing programs and credentials to support your lifelong learning journey, starting with our flexible, online post-licensure RN to BSN and then moving on to MSN and DNP. How far you go is up to you. And by continuing your education at Rasmussen University, you can save time and money in the process as you complete your nursing Associate's degree.
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Associate’s Degree: Nursing (ADN/RN)
Start here if:
You want to become a registered nurse (RN) and are looking for ways to leverage your LPN license, or want RN to be your first nursing credential.
Earn in as few as:
12 months (LPN to RN Bridge)
Or 18 months (ADN/RN)9Registered Nurse
(median annual wage by industry)10
- Government: $84,490
- Hospitals; state, local and private: $76,840
- Ambulatory healthcare services: $72,340
- Nursing and residential care facilities: $68,450
- Educational services; state, local and private: $64,630
-
Bachelor’s Degree: Nursing (RN to BSN or BSN)
Next step:
You’re ready to earn your BSN, want to become a Bachelor-prepared registered nurse and are looking for opportunities to advance your career.
Or start here if:
You want to begin your nursing career as a BSN-prepared registered nurse. Choose from two pre-licensure entry tracks—standard and second degree.
Finish in as few as:
12 to 18 months (RN to BSN)1
33 months (BSN Standard Degree)*
18 months (BSN Second Degree)*Already an LPN? Our LPN to RN Bridge helps LPNs become RNs faster, further decreasing your time to program completion.
Registered Nurse
(median annual wage by industry)8
- Government: $84,490
- Hospitals; state, local and private: $76,840
- Ambulatory healthcare services: $72,340
- Nursing and residential care facilities: $68,450
- Educational services; state, local and private: $64,630
-
Graduate Degrees: Nursing (MSN & DNP)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
You want to influence present and future healthcare as a nursing leader. You have the choice of three MSN specializations that allow you to define your career course:
- Nursing Leadership and Administration
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics
We also offer an online MSN Nurse Practitioner (NP) program if you're interested in making a positive impact as a nurse practitioner with the choice of four specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- Family NP
- Pediatric Primary Care NP
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A program for nurses called to lead at the highest levels in healthcare and public health and policy – the definitive terminal degree for nurse leaders.
Choose the specialization that best aligns with your interests and career goals:
- Executive Leadership
- Public Health and Policy
Sample job titles:
MSN:
- Director of Nursing
- Director of Education
- Clinical Nursing Informatics Officer
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Nurse Practitioner
DNP:
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Nursing Administrator
- Director of Public Health and Policy
- Government or Policy Activist
Tuition & Savings
Do the Math
With eight start dates8 a year at most campuses and a total of 24 courses—each 11 weeks in length—full-time students can finish in as few as 18 months4 for as low as $48,563.
$409 cost per credit
x 102 total credits
_______________________
$41,718 total tuition
+ $6,845 total fees
_______________________
$48,563 estimated total program cost
This pricing does not reflect all states. Please speak with an admissions advisor or use the tuition estimator tool to calculate your costs.
Other Ways to Save
Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how our Professional Nursing (ADN) program is designed to be more affordable with transfer credits, self-directed assessments, loans and grants, scholarship opportunities, corporate grants and military discounts for those who qualify.
Find more about:
If the many rewards of being a nurse already have you considering this fulfilling career, our Associate’s degree in Nursing can help you get there efficiently. Take a closer look at why this ADN degree could be the right fit for you and your career path.
Read moreEntrance Requirements
Unlike many other nursing schools, there are no prerequisites. At many campuses there are no wait lists for qualified applicants. With eight start dates a year at most campuses, you can begin your ADN classes when it's convenient for you.8
What Should I Know Before I Enroll?
Nursing Information Sessions
To learn about Rasmussen nursing programs and acceptance requirements and to receive help planning, attend an online Nursing Information Session where you’ll learn about TEAS scores, background checks, immunizations and more.
Help Paying for College
You’re not alone figuring out how to pay for college. Our admissions advisors can help you find ways to save through self-directed assessments, loans for those who qualify, scholarships and more.
Support at Every Turn
You’ll find the support you need to grow as a nurse from mentors and faculty in this program. Our library services, academic support and career planning teams at our ADN school are ready to help.
Where Can I Find an ADN Program Near Me?
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The associate nursing program at Rasmussen University at the:
- Bloomington campus (with off-campus instructional sites in Hennepin/Anoka and Lake Elmo/Woodbury), located in Bloomington, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation with Conditions.
- Central Pasco campus, located in Odessa, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Fort Myers campus, located in Fort Myers, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Initial Accreditation.
- Green Bay campus, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Mankato campus, located in Mankato, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Initial Accreditation.
- Moorhead campus, located in Moorhead, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation with Conditions.
- Ocala campus (with an off-campus instructional site in North Orlando), located in Ocala, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Overland Park campus (with an off-campus instructional site in Topeka), located in Overland Park, Kansas, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation with Conditions.
- St. Cloud campus, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Initial Accreditation.
- Tampa/Brandon campus, located in Tampa, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Initial Accreditation.
- Wausau campus, located in Wausau, Wisconsin, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding these programs at
http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.
Effective July 28, 2020, the associate nursing program at Rasmussen University at the Romeoville campus (with off-campus instructional sites in Aurora, Mokena, and Rockford) in Romeoville, Illinois, is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on July 28, 2023.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this candidate program at http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp.
State Boards of Nursing
The Rasmussen University Professional Nursing Associate's degree in Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Florida and Wisconsin is approved by the Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Florida and Wisconsin Boards of Nursing
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
The Professional Nursing Associate’s degree program at the Romeoville/Joliet campus in Illinois is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at the recommendation of the Illinois Board of Nursing. The Aurora/Naperville, Mokena/Tinley Park, and Rockford campuses in Illinois are recognized as extension campuses of the Romeoville/Joliet campus. On Feb. 9, 2022, pursuant to Ill. Admin. Code 1300.340(b)(4)(C), the Professional Nursing Associate’s degree program at the Romeoville/Joliet campus and its extension campuses was placed on probation for having an annual pass rate of less than 75 percent on the National Council Licensing Examination of first-time examinees for two consecutive years. The program has two years to demonstrate evidence of implementing strategies to correct deficiencies and bring the pass rate in line with the 75 percent criteria. If after two years of implementing strategies to correct the deficiency the annual pass rate is less than 75 percent, the program will be reevaluated and will either be allowed to continue to operate on a probationary status or will be disapproved and removed from the list of Illinois approved nursing programs.
Minnesota Board of Nursing
The Professional Nursing Associate’s degree program at the Bloomington campus in Minnesota is approved with conditions by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Hennepin/Anoka and Lake Elmo/Woodbury campuses are recognized as satellites of the Bloomington campus. On Aug. 4, 2022, pursuant to the authority granted under Minn. Stat. 148.251, the Minnesota Board of Nursing issued a Stipulation and Consent for Correction Order imposing conditions upon the approval of the Professional Nursing Associate’s degree program at the Bloomington campus and its satellite campuses for having an annual pass rate of less than 75 percent on the National Council Licensing Examination of first-time examinees for three consecutive years. The program must, by the end of calendar year 2023, achieve a success rate of higher than 75 percent for candidates from the program who write the licensing examination for the first time and resolve all areas of non-compliance identified in the Stipulation and Consent for Correction Order. If the conditions imposed on the program are not resolved, then the Minnesota Board of Nursing will follow the procedure outlined in Minn. R. 6301.2360, Subp. 10(C) for uncorrected deficiencies, which may result in the removal of the program from the list of approved programs.
- Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
- According to Associate Degree Registered Nurse conferrals from 2016–2020 as reported in IPEDS.
- NCLEX-RN is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
- Illinois students should speak with an admissions advisor for courses and credit hours specific to their state.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed July 2022] www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed July 2022] www.bls.gov/ooh/. BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed March 31, 2022] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-5. BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed March 31, 2022] www.bls.gov/ooh/. Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
- Select campuses have limited seats per start date that may result in qualified candidates not being selected for admission or being offered a position on a wait list.