What is the Future of Associate Degree Nursing Programs?

Associate degrees are academic degrees awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, business colleges, four-year universities, and some other universities that regularly award bachelor’s degrees.  The main difference of an associate degree from a bachelor’s degree is the length of time spent on the course, and the number of units completed. Associate degrees are usually awarded for two-year courses.  Many view these as less worthy than bachelor’s degrees, but that does not mean the associate degree holder is any less knowledgeable in the field of specialty.  These courses reduce requirements by dropping subjects that are not directly related to the field of study from the course list.  The end result is a course that provides full knowledge in the specific area of interest.  This means that associate degree holders are fully qualified, as far as the field of specialization is concerned. The main reasons people these courses are: so they can get to work as soon as possible, these courses are less expensive, more night classes -- helpful for those who already have day jobs.  Associate degree program graduates can also transfer to bachelor’s programs after completion. For some people, getting to work right away is a necessity.  With an associate degree nursing program, you can be ready for the National Council Licensure Exam - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) in two years instead of the usual four.  This means you could get started earning money in half the time.  Just because it is only half the length of a bachelor’s degree program does not mean you do not get the same level of education as bachelor’s degree holders.  The associate degree nursing program is a streamlined, fast-track approach to nursing education, trimming away the subjects that do not play any significant role in nursing practice.  Think of it as doing away with extra subjects that you will not need anyway.  This also means you can concentrate more on what matters: the improvement of nursing knowledge and skills. These programs are also less expensive than the equivalent bachelor’s degree programs.  By doing away with those units and classes outside of the field of specialization, you effectively reduce the total cost of the program by a large percentage.  The savings do not apply only to the course fees, but also to costs of living.  By taking only two years to finish your course, you take less time studying and living off savings and loans and get started making money sooner.  This gives you a great head start in the workforce. Lastly, it gives advantages of more convenient classes for those who are already working.  Many people want to earn more, and so they take these short programs to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience.  With their day jobs, they cannot attend the usual classes scheduled throughout the day.  These programs offer classes at night, so those with day jobs have the opportunity to better themselves without sacrificing what they already have. These advantages ensure the demand for associate degree programs in general, and nursing programs specifically.  This demand is likely to rise, given the current state of the economy, so the future for associate degree nursing programs looks rosy.