Associate of Science in Nursing(ASN) degree is a two-year tertiary education nursing degree program for people who want to pursue a career in the medical field as registered nurses(RNs).
During the course of the degree, students get to learn microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, nutrition, physiology, health science, surgical nursing, pharmacology, mental health nursing, and general courses like arithmetic.
After earning an ASN degree, then you have to take and scale through the NCLEX exam to receive RN Licensing.
BSN degree or ASN degree?
Because of the higher level of expertise and experience needed in the healthcare field, it is advisable to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree after earning an ASN degree.
Moreover, if you have the time and resources, you can as well go straight to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree without first doing an Associate of Science in Nursing degree.
A Bachelor’s of Science in nursing degree will advance your knowledge, skills, and experience in the health sector.
Cambridge University, however, is one of the Universities that give a high-quality curriculum to train people in nursing.
ASN degree in the United States:
In some places like the United States, ASN degrees are mostly given by community colleges and nursing schools. Some four-year colleges also offer this ASN degree.
Earning an Associate of Science in Nursing will qualify you to take the NCLEX-RN and, after that, apply for licensing as a registered nurse.
Once you are enlisted in an associate of science in a nursing program, you should get ready to take various nursing courses in medical nursing and surgical nursing, labor and delivery, psychiatric nursing, pediatrics, emergency medicine, orthopedics, etc.
In the United Kingdom, all nursing students must complete a full Bachelor’s degree, moreover, there is no state test once the course is completed.
The duration of a Bachelor’s degree that will lead to nurse registration is about three to four years.
However, within these three years, you will learn different theoretical subjects modules in over 2,300 hours, plus 2,300 hours of monitored clinical training/experience.
Awards like higher education diplomas in nursing are referred to as “Lesser awards.”
Reasons to go for ASN Degree
ASN degree programs focus on clinical skills more than academic work. That is why their students perform well in practice since they spend more time in laboratories and clinics than in lectures.
The following are the reasons you should consider going for an ASN degree.
It positions you for career growth:
ASN degree will qualify you for the registered nurse position, and it is a step closer to getting a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree.
After earning an ASN, you can apply your credits and work experience towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); after completing a BSN, you can pursue a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Provides a variety of specialties and work environments:
Registered nurses who acquired an ASN degree can work in various places such as nursing homes, home healthcare services, urgent care physician’s offices, and other places.
With an ASN degree, you can choose where to specialize, like, geriatric care, pediatrics, trauma, anesthesiology, and a lot more.
Employment Opportunities:
Bureau of labour statistics also shows an expected 9 percent job increase in registered nurses, thereby creating more employment opportunities.
Registered nurses don’t just provide healthcare; they also provide education and support for patients and their families. In some cases, they also work as a team with other medical practitioners.
Degrees similar to ASN Degree:
ASN degree is not the only associate degree. There are other degrees similar to the ASN degree. They are as follow;
- Diploma in Nursing(DN): This is a nursing credential for entry-level tertiary education.
- Associate Degree in Nursing(ADN): This can be acquired within two to three years of continuous learning, just like the ASN degree program. It is a professional nursing degree.
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing(AASN): This is a two-year program involving different nursing specialization areas. This program offers training in related healthcare subjects such as Pharmacology. Also, the program is mostly about the basics of nursing.
Others include; Associate of Arts in Nursing(AAN), Associate of Nursing(AN), an Associate of Science in Nursing(ASN). Vocational schools and hospital-based programs offer such programs.
How to acquire ASN Degree
ASN degree can be acquired using some procedures. However, you shouldn’t just rely on them entirely. It would help if you also endeavored to research personal inquiries because admission procedures and requirements differ across institutions.
Basic requirements for an ASN degree are;
- A high school diploma or any equivalent diploma.
- Least cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Minimum composite score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills(TEAS)
- Score of up to 21 in the ACT.
You should endeavor to enroll in an accredited ASN degree program to avoid wasting your time, energy, and resources.
After completing your ASN degree program, you can now sit for NCLEX-RN, which will qualify you to become a registered nurse.
Key benefits of ASN Degree
- Cheaper than a bachelor’s degree, because of the low tuition fees.
- One of the fast ways to start a nursing career, because it takes just two years to complete the program.
- Easier to enroll in an ASN degree program than in a traditional four-year nursing program like a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree.
Schools that offer ASN degree:
Popular institutions that offer ASN degree programs include;
- Mississippi University for Women
- Broward College
- Ozarks Technical Community College
- Georgia Highlands College
- Utah Valley University, and many others.
Where can I work with an ASN Degree:
Doctor’s offices, rehab facilities, hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing facilities, outpatient care centers are some places you can work with an ASN degree.
With an ASN degree, you can also work with insurance carriers or even work as a home care provider. Moreover, there are also jobs in colleges and universities that require an ASN degree.
With an ASN degree, you can continue your nursing education by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Conclusion
ASN degree coursework is about 72 credits, with about 41 semester credit hours. The average ASN registered hourly nurse pay in the united states is about $31.19.
The highest level of nursing education and expertise is a Doctorate of Nursing Practice(DNP). With DNP, you can work in a nursing administration as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse(APRN).
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