2 Year Degree in Nursing: Do you want to become a nurse fast? Are you asking if there is a nursing course you can complete in 2 years?
Well, the short answer to this question is YES!!!
There are many ways to train to be a nurse. An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) gives you a solid foundation for a career in healthcare. This degree is popular with Registered Nurses (RNs) and offers the opportunity to work in entry-level positions in nursing.
When you think of a career that is stable and rewarding, nursing comes to mind. Research shows that nursing is a career path that will never go out of style and need.
As long as health remains a priority, nursing will always thrive. However, the time required to gain a nursing degree can be lengthy.
Nurses make up the bulk of the healthcare workforce and play a vital role in providing quality care, from an emergency nurse assistant to a senior nurse on a hospital leadership team.
Not sure where to start your nursing career or wondering what your next step should be? Check out our guide on 21 Schools offering 2 year degree in nursing in the world.
You can also learn how to prepare for nursing school here that way, you are better equipt for the medical school
Thus, this article will enlighten you on how to become a nurse in 2years, their salary, and the difference between 2 years and a 4-year nursing degree.
Without further Ado, let’s dive in!!!
What is a 2 Year Nursing Degree?
By simple definition, it is a nursing degree that you can complete in just 2years. Many know this nursing program as Associate’s degree in Nursing (ADN).
You can earn an ADN in two to three years with a curriculum that includes nursing and liberal arts.
Then you’ll need to pass a national licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN, to begin working as a registered nurse.
The degree is ideal for students who want to pursue a professional nursing career but don’t have the time or money to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
It can also help licensed practical nurses (LPNs) qualify for an RN license and move into professional nursing.
As an RN with an associate’s degree, you can qualify for a wide range of specialty certifications that can increase your career opportunities and salary potential. The degree can also serve as the foundation for earning a BSN, which can expand your professional and earning potential even more.
This 2-year degree nursing program is the groundwork for the BSN and RN programs. Usually, this is the first step in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse. Also, it provides basic information about the career path, giving the students a head start.
Basically, the course outline for two (2) year degree in nursing includes the most basic courses that are needed to move forward with any degree program.
Starting out with an ADN in nursing is a great way to embark on a career in healthcare, even though you may not be sure which way you want to go as you move forward.
Curriculum and Clinical Requirements for a 2 Year Degree in Nursing
The ADN program’s curriculum varies by school but includes around 70 credits to prepare you to get started in nursing and obtain a registered nurse license in your state. “A minimum of an associate degree is believed by most to be necessary to enter the nursing profession,” says Cardillo.
A typical ADN program includes the core liberal arts school curriculum required of all students pursuing an associate degree. These courses are a prerequisite and typically must be completed before you can join the ADN program:
Your ADN coursework will focus on nursing skills and practice and typically include:
Who can Go for Two (2) Year Nursing Program?
Basically, the 2 year nursing degree program is open to other healthcare professions. Below is a list of other professions that can register for the two year degree in nursing;
Prerequisites And Admission Requirements Tests For a Two year Nursing Course.
Most ADN programs have math, science, and humanities qualifications to prepare you for the basic nursing program.
Some schools and programs accept high school courses or transfer credits to meet the requirements. So check their websites to see if your previous studies are legitimate.
Credits from Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program may be eligible.
Admission requirements also vary by school. They could include:
Top 21 Schools Offering a 2 Year Degree in Nursing
Without doubts, many universities and colleges around the world offer 2 year nursing RN program. However, we base our list on the top-rated, reputable, and accredited colleges at affordable costs. Also, the ranking is in no particular order.
#1. GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: CALIFORNIA
Glendale CA offers 2 year RN nursing degree program. Also, its nursing program is approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing. As required by most nursing programs, 2 year RN nursing degree students at Glendale also undergo clinical experience to practice skills learned in the classroom.
#2. NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE: TEXAS
Popularly known as NCTC, the college offers an associate degree in nursing (ADN). At NCTC, further studies are carried out to prepare students for the RN program. Also, the 2 year nursing degree program is accredited and approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education and Texas Board of Nursing.
#3. SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE:TEXAS
South Texas College is a public university that trains students, nurses, on a 2 year RN nursing degree program online. Once this is complete, students take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The course itself trains students to take care of patients in a variety of health care settings, provide physician support, and prepare patients for health care procedures.
#4. HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The ADN program at Houston Community College is an associate of applied science in the study of nursing. HCC accepts students with no nursing experience to learn how to interact with patients, work with medical professionals and understand basic anatomy. Also, they accept already licensed vocational nurses with sufficient work experience to earn their AAS and take the NCLEX-RN exam.
#5. RICHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Richland offers 2 years RN nursing degree program. Studying nursing in Richland qualifies a student to sit for the NCLEX-RN upon completion of the program. However, if students wish to earn their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), they can transfer some of their credits to a four-year institution.
#6. DUKE UNIVERSITY
Duke offers 2 year RN degree program online with tuition costs of $60,408 per year. However, Duke only offers one degree choice for undergraduate nurses: a sped-up BSN with an NCLEX Pass Rate of 98.39% To enroll, applicants must complete a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Also, the program requires 58 credits to complete and 800 hours of clinical experience before graduating. Outcomes for the program are highly positive, too.
#7. GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
The cost of two (2) year nursing degree at Georgetown University is $58,503 per year. Her NCLEX Pass Rate is totally 100%. By graduation, students will have earned over 850 hours of clinical experience within and outside Washington, D.C.
#8. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
This top-rated university offers nursing with heavy amounts of research. Therefore, nursing students need not worry because Johns Hopkins University is perhaps the best research university in the world. Two years of nursing RN programs cost $55,350 per year with an NCLEX Pass Rate of 92.31%.
#9. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Aside from the 2 year degree program, NYU offers the traditional BSN degree, second-degree transfer BSN, RN-BSN, and sped up 15-month BSN. The tuition range cost $53,308 for 2 year RN degree online with an NCLEX Pass Rate of 89.8%.
#10. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Penn’s allows students to learn in a state-of-the-art simulation lab. Also, students can enter a mentorship program to improve their experiential learning. For a nursing degree, tuition costs 57,770 with an NCLEX Pass Rate of 94.83%
#11. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
In the college town of Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan is one of the best places to earn a nursing degree. The BSN degree builds off over 100 years of nursing education experience, and over 13,000 U-M nursing alumni work around the world. Tuition cost ranges between $7,779-$25,600 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively. UMich students have a high NCLEX Pass Rate of 98.95%.
#12. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
The University of California Los Angeles offers 2 year RN degree online. However, online education is more expensive compared to traditional schooling. Also, the cost for a 2 year nursing degree is $13,239 for in-state and $42,993 for out-of-state. Furthermore, the school has a high NCLEX Pass Rate of 97.73%.
#13. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
In Seattle, the University of Washington has several unique benefits for nursing students. However, the cost of tuition is high for out-of-state students $38,166. But if this suits your fancy, the cost doesn’t matter. Also, the University of Washington has an NCLEX Pass Rate of 94.04%.
#14. EMORY UNIVERSITY
Emory does not offer 2 year RN degree online. They major in traditional schooling with a tuition cost of $53,070 for nurses. Also, Emory is home to one of the world’s best health care systems. In other words, Emory University of Atlanta, Georgia, is a brilliant choice for nursing students at any level. And yes, it’s a private university.
#15. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Known for an NCLEX Pass Rate of 86.67% every year. The University of Maryland does not offer sped-up programs. However, they make provision for an online nursing degree. Located in Baltimore, the University of Maryland is a leader in innovation and research.
#16. CITRUS COLLEGE
Citrus College trains students to work as entry-level nurses on completion of the program. Upon completion, a student will qualify to take the NCLEX-RN and get their California nursing license.
#17. JONES COLLEGE
The 2 year nursing degree course prepares students to apply for their RN license at the state and federal levels. Successful graduates will work in a variety of healthcare settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, and more. Also, licensed Practical Nurses can enter the program to earn their ADN and work as an RN.
#18. MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
They prepare students with the skills needed for a student to work as an RN. The curriculum combines biological and social sciences with the skills a student has learned as a Licensed Practical Nurse. At Midlands, they arrange clinical hours through local healthcare facilities that are affiliated with the school. Upon successful completion of the 2 years nursing degree program, students will be qualified to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
#19. COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO
At Idaho, they teach students through a combination of laboratory and theoretical instruction along with clinical experience in working in healthcare facilities. Also, students who satisfactorily complete the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
#20. LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The two (2) year RN nursing degree program prepares graduates to perform holistic nursing care and promote health and well-being to patients. Also, students receive clinical and classroom instruction and engage in clinical instruction. Graduates of the program must successfully complete the Virtual ATI NCLEX-RN review course in order to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
#21. GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE
Georgia Highlands College prepares nursing students to work as an entry-level nurse generalist that can use their knowledge and skills effectively. The program uses Patricia Benner’s stages of learning and skill acquisition, along with Jean Giddens’ conceptual framework for delivery of the curriculum to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience.
What’s the Salary Structure for the 2 Year 0 Degree?
The salary for 2 year nursing degree can differ base on factors such as location, accompanying degree, and experience. Registered Nurse with a 2 year nursing degree earns about $71,730 a year according to PayScale. Also, Nurses who start with a two-year degree and move on to a Bachelor’s degree will increase their earning potential.
What’s the Difference between 2 year and 4 year nursing degree?
In professional skills, one can say that an 2-year prepared nurse is a “technical” nurse, while a 4 year trained nurse is a “professional” nurse. However, the major difference is that the two year trained nurse has more clinical skills, while the other focuses on leadership, nursing research, management as well as clinical skills training.
But both prepare nurses to provide patient care that meets accepted standards. The four year trained nurse will have a better understanding of cultural, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence healthcare delivery systems.
Conclusion
Earning an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing is the biggest step towards becoming an RN. There are a few more steps to take after graduation, including passing the NCLEX-RN and meeting the board of nursing requirements in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ADN the same as an RN?
An ADN is a two-year nursing degree that leads to becoming an RN. The RN credential is more than holding the degree. It includes earning an RN diploma, ADN, or BSN degree, passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), and completing state licensing requirements.
Is it better to get a BSN or an ADN?
A BSN degree and an ADN will both qualify you to take the NCLEX and become an RN. A BSN degree takes longer and includes more advanced topics, such as nursing leadership, research, and public health. Which is better depends on how long you want to spend in school and your career goals.
Does a BSN get paid more than an ADN?
In general, a BSN pays more than an ADN two-year nursing degree, reflecting the additional education. However, experience, geographic location, and responsibilities can also affect salary.
Is a 2 year nursing degree worth it?
The most obvious advantage in a two-year RN program is that you will complete your education quicker than if you attended a bachelor’s degree program. Earning your RN license in two years gets you into the workforce faster and allows you to start earning money.
How can I become a nurse fast?
If you’re itching to enter the field, the fastest way to become a nurse would be to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) route. While you wouldn’t actually be an RN, you could launch a nursing career in as few as 12 months.
Is nursing hard to study?
Thinking about going to nursing school? You’re headed for a great career, one that’s rewarding, challenging, and always exciting. But nursing school is notoriously difficult. Most nursing programs require high GPAs and impressive scores in math, chemistry, biology, psychology, and other demanding subjects.
References
This piece informs you on the two (2) year RN degree in Nursing, salary, cost, and schools offering 2 year RN nursing degree online.