| A US Census in the year 2000 revealed that about | | | | candidatures from nurses who have just completed |
| only 7.4% students above the age 25 and above, | | | | the Associate Degree. They prefer nurses who have |
| had an Associate's Degree in any domain. This | | | | done the degree and also have at least 2 years of |
| statistic is not specifically directed to nursing, but | | | | experience. Alternatively, they also consider Bachelors |
| surely the data would be abysmal there too. | | | | of Science students who don't have any experience |
| Considering the fact that the Associate's Degree in | | | | at all. |
| Nursing focuses primarily on imparting technical skills | | | | - Fourth - It is true that the degree sets the |
| to the nurses, this course has to be on the list of | | | | fundamentals for students to do further courses in |
| every nursing student. | | | | nursing, but students could have done these courses |
| The reasons for the low popularity of Associate | | | | even without taking the degree. Importantly, the |
| Degrees in Nursing are explained below: | | | | degree doesn't teach everything about nursing to |
| - Students who complete the degree often end up | | | | students, which further deters them from taking this |
| taking a higher level of education, like the Bachelors | | | | course. |
| of Science in Nursing. Thus, some students believe | | | | Of all the nursing aspirants, only 5% of them actually |
| that doing the Associate Degree is a waste of time. | | | | take the Associate Degree in Nursing, which lasts |
| - The Degree primarily focuses on the technical | | | | only for 2 years. This statistic is good enough to tell |
| aspects of nursing. The Bachelors of Science in | | | | you that the degree is fast losing its sheen against |
| Nursing also covers the technical aspects of nursing, | | | | other nursing courses. The reasons for the low |
| though not to the extent covered in the Associate | | | | popularity of this course have been explained above. |
| Degree, but still enough for a nurse to do her job | | | | That being said, it is important to note that the |
| well. This is another reason why students don't like | | | | Associate Degree is the best course to be done, if a |
| doing the Nursing Associate Degree. | | | | nurse wishes to gain expertise in the technical |
| - Third - Health care settings don't normally accept | | | | aspects of nursing. |