If you’re online researching nursing degree programs, you may be wondering about the Associates Degree in Nursing Requirements; in other words, you might be asking, “Do I have what it takes to be a registered nurse?” An Associates Degree in Nursing is an admirable profession, and it takes a strong individual to succeed in this career. The Associates Degree in Nursing requirements are physical as well as mental. Students must have the physical stamina as well as the mental acuity to perform the multitasking functions of a nurse.
Details About Associates Degree in Nursing Requirements
A documented health assessment, criminal background check, and drug screening must all be passed to begin a nursing program. The academic requirements include a demonstrated competency in reading and writing. A student eligible to enroll in freshman English composition courses fills this requirement. A nursing applicant must demonstrate a proficiency in Algebra. This requires completion of a college-level math course within the last eight years, achieving at least a C average in the class. Otherwise, entrance is available to those who score high enough on a math placement test or a college entrance exam such as the SAT or the ACT. A competency in science must also be demonstrated by two years of high school science or two semesters of college lab science. Successfully completing a challenge exam will also suffice to fulfill the requirement. The student must have earned a curricular GPA of 2.8 or above with a 2.0 in science classes.
Typical First Year Courses for an Associates Degree in Nursing
A first year nursing student will typically earn between 15-17 credits in nursing classes. These courses intend to give the student a foundation in basic nursing skills and introduce them to human anatomy. They attempt to prepare the student for dealing with human behavior in stressful situations. The general education courses in English are to ensure the student is able to organize their thoughts and put them in writing. Course a first year nursing student can expect to take include:
- General education courses, including a year of English composition and at least one Humanities elective
- Introductory courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Microbiology, Sociology, and Developmental Psychology
- Nursing Principles and Concepts along with Pharmacology
Typical Second Year Associates Degree in Nursing Requirements
These courses intend to give the students the technical and hands on training needed to begin their career. It is generally a well-rounded introduction to the various tasks of a nurse. Typically, second year nursing students will complete approximately 17 credits in nursing classes and the courses include:
- General education requirements that need to be completed
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Psychiatric Nursing
- Maternity and Newborn Nursing
- Parent and Child Nursing
Requirements for Earning an Associates Degree in Nursing
A representative community college nursing program requires that a student earn a grade of C or higher in all biology classes, including microbiology. The nursing program expects students to attend summer school for some of their nursing training. This helps students with the course load of the program. A student must earn at least 67 credits to fulfill the Associates Degree in Nursing requirements.
