Advantages and Special Associates Degree in Nursing

Students can pursue various degrees in nursing such as an Associates Degree in Nursing.  There many types of nurses in the medical field, each of which require a different level of education.  Nursing degrees stretch from simple certificate programs, all the way up to Ph.D.s.  The higher up in the latter the degree is, the more difficult their courses become.

And Associates Degree in Nursing is a good way to start a nursing career. An Associates Degree in Nursing is on the lower part of the nursing education a latter.  These programs are offered by community colleges and junior colleges. The Associate of Science in Nursing is the equivalent to an Associates Degree in Nursing.

Associates Degree in Nursing Programs Offered in Oregon

Oregon currently only approves 16 Associates Degree in Nursing programs.  Many of these programs are from universities that prefer to co-admit students, into the particular Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing program offered in their institution.  This allows for the student to immediately enroll into a bachelor’s degree program after graduating from an Associates degree.

Since both degrees concentrate in nursing, the student would have completed all the prerequisites required for bachelor’s degree, while they were enrolled in the Associates degree.  This joint program is very desirable and not many institutions offer it.  The student can choose to either keep their associates degree or continue on and complete a bachelor’s degree.  By choosing the latter the student will eventually graduate with two degrees in nursing rather than just one.

Bachelors VS. an Associates Degree in Nursing

With the help of and Associates Degree in Nursing, students can become Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses and Registered Nurses among other professions.  However as the cost of education is rising students are choosing to use the Associates Degree in Nursing over a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, with the intention of becoming a Registered Nurse. Registered Nurses make on average $15,000 more a year than a Licensed Practical Nurse.

This method allows them to save time, as associate degrees only take two years, and bachelor degrees require four years for completion.  Taking that route also saves money as an associate degree is not as expensive as a bachelor degree.  However, completing either degree does not mean the graduate is a practicing nurse yet.  Every nursing field must pass the national licensure test in order to begin practicing as a nurse.

Advantages of an Associates Degree in Nursing

There are several advantages to pursuing and Associates Degree in Nursing.  For one, graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination referred to as the NCLEX-RN. Also 59% of the students that take the NCLEX-RN exam are graduates of an Associates Degree in Nursing.

Having this degree increases the level of job security an individual may have.  In these modern times employers prefer to have employees with higher educational background.  But not only can an employee increase their level of job security, but an Associates Degree in Nursing can improve their chances of advancement to a higher paying position.

Comments are closed.