About Associate's Nursing Degree Programs

For people interested in pursuing a career in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing is the minimum educational qualification for entry into this profession. This degree generally takes two years to earn, and most community colleges have an associate's nursing degree option. However, these degrees require vigorous coursework, and many students have difficulty in passing these programs.

Requirements

The coursework that nursing students are required to take involves detailed study of human anatomy and physiology. As a result, it is important for prospective students to ensure that they have a basic understanding of human anatomy. A sufficient background can usually be obtained through high school level coursework. However, if your high school did not offer these courses, then you may want to consider taking a few non-degree seeking courses from your local community college. This will provide you with a basic understanding of these concepts before enrolling in nursing school.

Course Load

Nursing students are required to take a full time course load. However, in addition to this coursework, students are required to work a predetermined number of hours in a hospital. By working in a hospital setting, students obtain relevant work experience, and the hours spent at a hospital count towards the credits required for the degree. Often, nursing programs have arrangements with local hospitals to provide students with employment after completing their degree.

Licensing

Most nursing programs require students to take courses designed to prepare them for passing the National Nursing Examination. This is a test that all nurses are required to pass. After passing this exam, the student becomes a licensed nurse who is eligible for work in a hospital setting.