What Can You Do with an Associate Degree in Nursing?

If you're passionate about healthcare and looking for a fast-track route into a rewarding career as a registered nurse, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a smart move. But you may be wondering, what can you do with an ADN? The answer: quite a lot.

Keep reading for details on the career paths, salary potential, and opportunities for advancement that come with an ADN. Whether you're fresh out of high school, looking to advance your nursing career by completing an LPN to RN Bridge, or making a mid-life career change, this guide will help you understand how far an ADN can take you in the nursing field.

What Is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)?

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-to three-year program that prepares students to become Registered Nurses (RNs). Typically offered at community colleges and some universities, ADN programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience to fully prepare students to begin working as nurses after graduation.

Upon graduation, students must also pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) to become licensed to practice as an RN.

Jobs You Can Get With an Associate Degree in Nursing

Once you pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain your RN license, you will then be eligible for many RN roles in a variety of healthcare settings. Here are some of the top nursing careers with ADN:

1. Registered Nurse (RN)

As an RN with associate degree, you can work in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, outpatient care centers, home healthcare services, and other locations. 

2. Travel Nurse

With your ADN and RN license, you can also work as a travel nurse, filling temporary nursing positions across the country (and sometimes internationally), often with higher pay and benefits than more traditional RN jobs.

3. School Nurse

Many school systems hire RNs with an ADN (though a BSN is sometimes required) to care for students and manage health plans while school is in session.

4. Correctional Facility Nurse

Nurses are needed in jails and prisons to provide healthcare services to inmates. This is a stable and often overlooked area of nursing that may serve a need in your community.

5. Public Health Nurse (Entry-Level)

Some local and state health departments hire ADN-prepared nurses for community outreach and basic health services.

How Much Can You Earn With an Associate Degree in Nursing?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses is around $93,600, depending on experience, location, and workplace setting.

Even as an entry-level ADN-prepared nurse, you can earn a competitive salary, especially in high-demand areas like critical care or emergency nursing. An ADN ranks as one of the top 10 highest paying associate degrees according to Indeed.com. 

Advantages of an ADN vs BSN 

Faster Path to Employment

Most ADN programs take 2–3 years to complete, meaning you can enter the workforce more quickly than with a four-year BSN degree.

Lower Cost of Education 

Community college programs are generally more affordable than university-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs.

Solid Foundation for Advancement

Once you're working as an RN, you may find that like many healthcare organizations, your employer offers tuition assistance that can help you complete an RN to BSN bridge program, making it easier to further your nursing education while working full time and earning a paycheck.

Advancing Your Career With an ADN

While an ADN qualifies you to become a registered nurse, many nurses choose to continue their nursing education and pursue a BSN or even a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) later in their nursing careers. These higher level degrees open doors to higher-paying roles in nurse management, nurse education, and specialized fields like oncology, pediatrics or critical care. 

RN to BSN programs are widely available and offered online with companies like Achieve Test Prep, allowing you to study while you work full time and gain nursing experience.

Is an ADN Right for You?

An Associate Degree in Nursing is a great way to start your RN career quickly. You may choose to earn an associate degree immediately after high school or when changing careers. It’s also possible for LPNs to earn an ADN in an LPN to RN Bridge program that they work to complete while working. 

An ADN program allows you to start your career with less student debt because the programs typically only take 2-3 years of full time study to complete vs. 4 years for a BSN degree. You may even find a program like those through Achieve Test Prep that allows you to make lower monthly payments as you work toward your degree instead of paying up front at the beginning of each semester. 

With an ADN, you will be entering an in-demand profession as a Registered Nurse with job security and opportunities for advancement. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% growth in RN jobs and the need for over 197,000 additional RNs in the next 8 years. 

Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing 

So, what can you do with an Associate Degree in Nursing? A lot more than you might think. From bedside care in hospitals to public health outreach, ADN nursing jobs open the door to meaningful, high-paying roles. And with pathways to further education and nursing career advancement, it’s a launchpad—not a limit.