Why Study Nursing?
Pursuing a nursing program at Forsyth Tech offers a rewarding career path in healthcare. Our program provides comprehensive theoretical knowledge and hands-on clinical experience. You’ll learn from experienced faculty and benefit from state-of-the-art facilities. Graduates are well-prepared to pass licensing exams and embark on a fulfilling nursing career, making a positive impact on patients’ lives.
The fall 2026 LPN program will open on January 12, 2026 and the application deadline will be March 13, 2026. The 2025/2026 packets for ADN and LPN-RN are posted below. If you have questions about the program and any changes, please contact your advisor.
See our Minimum Admission Requirements for Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Advanced Placement (LPN-RN).
Choosing between an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) and a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
While both paths allow you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and become a Registered Nurse, they differ significantly in terms of time, cost, and long-term career trajectory.
Key Differences
- ADN: Focuses heavily on the fundamentals of nursing. The goal is to get you clinical-ready as quickly as possible. You’ll spend most of your time on direct patient care, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing.
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BSN: Covers everything in the ADN curriculum but adds “big picture” coursework. This includes nursing research, leadership, public health, and informatics. It prepares you to understand the why behind healthcare systems, not just the how of bedside care.
If you want to move away from the bedside eventually, a BSN is usually the minimum requirement.
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Leadership: Most management or “Charge Nurse” roles require a BSN.
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Specialization: Highly competitive units (like the ICU, NICU, or ER) often prioritize BSN applicants.
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Graduate School: To become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or Educator, you must have a BSN before entering a Master’s or Doctoral program.
The industry is shifting. Many hospitals—especially those with Magnet Status (a prestigious designation for nursing excellence)—now require their nurses to hold a BSN.
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In some states (like New York), there are “BSN in 10” laws, which require ADN-prepared nurses to earn their BSN within 10 years of initial licensure to maintain their registration.
Choose an ADN if… > You need to enter the workforce quickly, want to minimize student debt, or plan to have an employer pay for your “RN-to-BSN” bridge program later.
Choose a BSN if… > You want to go into specialized nursing, have aspirations for leadership or advanced practice, or want to ensure you are eligible for employment at top-tier hospitals right away.
Degrees & Certificates
Associate Degree Nursing – Advanced Placement (LPN-ADN transition)
Associate Degree in Applied Science
Time to Complete:
One year
Schedule:
Day
The LPN-ADN transition track offers LPNs an opportunity to earn an associate degree in nursing, preparing them to take the NCLEX-RN. The program focuses on integrating safety, quality, and individualized care in a dynamic healthcare environment. Graduates have diverse employment opportunities in various healthcare settings.
Associate Degree Nursing
Associate Degree in Nursing
Time to Complete:
Two years
Schedule:
Day classes
Studying nursing at Forsyth Tech prepares students for a rewarding healthcare career. With comprehensive theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and experienced faculty, students gain the competencies needed to provide quality care and make a positive impact in the field of nursing.
Practical Nursing
Diploma
Time to Complete:
One year
Schedule:
Day, evening and weekend classes
Earn your diploma in Practical Nursing at Forsyth Tech to gain the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe and quality nursing care. Prepare for a rewarding career in healthcare with hands-on training and eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Career Tracks
- Nurse
- Clinical Research Associate
- Patient Coordinator
- Specialized Nursing
- Care Coordinator
ADN salary vs BSN salary
| Degree Level | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Wage (Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| ADN (Associate) | $80,000 – $82,000 | ~$38.50 - $40.00 |
| BSN (Bachelor's) | $88,000 – $96,000 | ~$42.00 - $46.00 |
$37/hr
Average Salary Range
10.3 %
Job growth
576
Job openings
Is it better to pursue an ADN or a BSN for a long-term nursing career?
For a long-term nursing career, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is objectively the better choice. While an ADN is an excellent “entry-point,” the BSN is increasingly becoming the industry standard for stability, salary, and professional mobility
The Strategic “ADN-First” Route
Despite the long-term benefits of a BSN, many nurses start with an ADN for financial reasons.
Lower Initial Cost: You pay community college tuition instead of university rates.
Start Working Sooner: You enter the workforce in 2 years instead of 4.
Employer-Paid Tuition: Many hospitals will hire you with an ADN and then pay for your BSN through an “RN-to-BSN” bridge program. This is the most cost-effective way to get the higher degree.
Get the education you deserve without spending your days worrying about how to afford it. Our financial aid team can help you chart a path to paying for college, including through debt-free grants and scholarships.
The Forsyth Tech Cares program supports students so they can succeed, including access to financial assistance, health services, and confidential counseling.
Accreditation & Program Info
The Forsyth Tech Community College Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-909-2526
The Associate Degree Nursing program supports the mission of the North Carolina Community College System and the Health Technologies Division. The faculty is committed to providing accessible high quality nursing education to meet the diverse and changing health-care needs of the service area and to promoting the development of qualified students prepared for the professional role of registered nurse at the entry level. Graduates of this program are prepared for entry into the nursing profession and meet the education requirements to take the national Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The philosophy of the Associate Degree Nursing Program is based upon faculty beliefs related to individuals, the health care system, nursing, the environment, health, quality of life, and achievement of potential. Within this mission the goal of the nursing faculty is to promote the highest quality of nursing care to the individual, families, and the community. The aim is to facilitate optimum health, quality of life, and achievement of potential for the individual.
Upon completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program, the graduate will upon licensure:
- Practice professional nursing behaviors incorporating personal responsibility and accountability for continued competence.
- Communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, significant support persons, and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
- Integrate knowledge of the holistic needs of the individual to provide an individual centered assessment.
- Incorporate informatics to formulate evidence-based clinical judgments and management decisions.
- Implement caring interventions incorporating documented best practices for individuals in diverse settings.
- Develop a teaching plan for individuals, and/or the nursing team, incorporating teaching and learning principles.
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to advocate for positive individual and organizational outcomes.
- Manage healthcare for the individual using cost effective nursing strategies, quality improvement processes, and current technologies.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination or (NCLEX-RN) which is required for practice as a Registered Nurse. The employment opportunities for graduates of the Associate Degree Program are diverse. Examples of employment setting: medical clinics, physician offices, long term care facilities, occupational health settings and community agencies.
Click the link to view the Nursing Student Handbook
Student Handbook
“I chose to attend Forsyth Tech because of its excellent, challenging nursing program and its preference among nurse employers. I am also pleased that it has such a high NCLEX pass rate.”
Zoriee S.
Visit us today!
Forsyth Tech is located at:
2100 Silas Creek Parkway,
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
