Professional Health Blog

For those who are interested in the field of nursing, an associate nursing degree is the fastest and easiest way to enter or transition into this profession. An Associate Nursing Degree (ADN) or an Associate Science in Nursing Degree (ASN) is usually a two-year program consisting of core course requirements in general education, general medical, and nursing education.

Since nursing is a field involving patient care, it is imperative that nurses take courses that allow them to interact effectively with human beings who are in pain, suffering, and frightened, which may cause them to be difficult to manage. Thus, courses involving the study of psychology, sociology, english composition, and oral communication are considered to be essential, or core general education requirements.

General medical core courses for the nurse professional pursuing an ADN or ASN degree consist of microbiology, biology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and math for healthcare professionals.

Specific ADN or ASN nursing courses consist of fundamentals of nursing (clinical and lab), maternal and newborn nursing, adult and child health nursing, nursing care through the patient’s lifespan, and nursing intervention classes in mental health, maternal and child health, and adult health.

Once a student has received an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or an Associate Degree of Science in nursing (ASN), he or she may obtain an entry-level nursing position in either a hospital or community-based setting. It is the nurse’s job to promote health, prevent disease, and care for clients with complicated disease processes in an engaging and compassionate way. The nurse performs direct client assessment and rehabilitation, administers treatments and medication, and thoroughly documents the progress of the patient’s response to treatment.

After obtaining competency, which comes through hands-on experience in the field, a nurse must be able to apply knowledge to clients across the continuum of life, from newborns to the geriatric patients.

Completion of the Associate Nursing Degree program (ADN or ASN) provides entry-level graduate nurses with the skill sets required for success and advancement within the nursing profession. However, nursing students should realize that this is only the beginning. Nursing requires a lifelong commitment to learning that involves expanding one’s knowledge base, skills, and expertise.

Having a passion for helping people and the desire to stay at the top of one’s professional game is the proper mindset that is needed by every nurse. Obtaining an associate nursing degree is the first step toward the path to success in the challenging and rewarding nursing profession.

Mary Ruff-King is an author who has worked in the medical field as a healthcare professional for many years. Nursing is a field which is wide open for opportunity and advancement. For further information on associate nursing degrees and related articles/information, about nursing schools please visit www.nursingmasterycenter.com