Associate Degree Nursing

Want to become a Registered Nurse (RN)? Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a fast and affordable way to become an RN. The ADN program at Forsyth Tech is an accredited two-year undergraduate degree with a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience that provides students with foundational nursing and clinical skills (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals and health systems) and equips students with the knowledge, skills and strategies to provide safe and quality nursing care in various healthcare settings.

After completing the ADN program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam which is necessary for RN licensure. As an RN, you will perform many of the same tasks done by an Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) but can also manage a more advanced level of healthcare tasks, including clinical care, patient assessments, care planning, monitoring patient progress and patient education. RNs with an ADN degree are prepared for a wide range of entry-level positions in the global healthcare system, including in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and health centers.

Not sure whether to get a two-year ADN or a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a four-year university? You can become a Registered Nurse (RN) by completing an ADN, LPN-RN or BSN program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam.  However, the academic path you take to become an RN determines what types of care you are able to provide in a healthcare setting and the level of responsibility and pay you will have. Graduates with an ADN can apply the credits and work experience if they choose to enroll in a four-year program to earn a Bachelors of Science (BSN) degree.

Many nurses start with an ADN because it allows you to become an RN after two years, costs less and you to start earning money sooner. But because a BSN has more education and practice requirements, graduates usually earn more and have greater responsibility. A BSN also prepares you for a more advanced degree, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree.

An ADN is an excellent entry-point and a BSN is increasingly becoming the industry standard for stability, salary and professional mobility. 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.

If you need to start earning money sooner, consider Forsyth Tech’s one-year Practical Nursing (LPN) degree. If you already have an LPN and are thinking about becoming an RN, the Advanced Placement (LPN-RN transition) degree is for you. This one-year bridge program prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

The application for the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program for Spring 2026 will open on August 18, 2025, and the application deadline will be September 19, 2025. If you have questions about the program and any changes, please contact your advisor.

• Assessment
• Nursing Care
• Pharmacology
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Professionalism