Requirements for ASN Nursing Degree

If you plan to go into nursing you probably realize there are a few paths you can take. First, there is the hospital-based nursing program that leads to being able sit for the nursing exam. There is the associate in nursing or the ASN, and the bachelor of nursing or the BSN. The most common path is with the ASN.

Associate of Science in Nursing 

The ASN degree is typically completed at a two-year college or a community college. It generally takes two years to complete if you attend full-time. The first year consists of coursework that deals with general courses such as biology, anatomy, chemistry, math, English, and some other social sciences. The second year consists of the major relating to nursing along with lab work. Once all of the coursework is completed, you will have to complete a specified amount of clinical experience before you can sit for the state nursing examination.

Hands-On Clinical Experience

The clinical experience varies by state as well as the length of time that the student has to be apart of. The idea with this part of the training is to give students real-world experience in the general nursing practices that they will encounter once they are licensed. After the coursework and the clinical experience are finished, the student must sit for and pass the nursing examination, which is required in every state.

The ASN degree is a stand-alone degree and will prepare you for a career as a registered nurse. For those wanting to take their career to the next level, the program transfers to a four-year university that offers the RN degree.