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