April 9, 2025 Ready to make a difference in the healthcare field? Are you passionate about helping others? A career in nursing could be right up your alley — and with an associate degree in nursing (ADN), you don't necessarily have to spend several years in school before breaking into the field.
In fact, as the healthcare industry experiences a , getting your ADN could be a quick and cost-effective way to start making a difference in this rewarding career path.
What Is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)?
An ADN degree is a two-year program designed to prepare students to become registered nurses (RNs). While earning an ADN alone doesn't automatically result in RN licensure (and specific requirements can vary from one state to the next), these programs are designed to provide students with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to qualify for and take the .
5 Entry-Level Careers for ADN Graduates
If you're thinking about pursuing your ADN, you might be wondering what kinds of associate degree in nursing jobs you might qualify for after graduation. While this is by no means a comprehensive list of career opportunities, below are some of the most popular entry-level nursing roles for ADN graduates.
Registered Nurse (RN)
are responsible for providing direct patient care, often in hospital settings (such as medical-surgical, ER, ICU, or maternity wards). In some cases, RNs may work in private clinics and physicians' offices, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes or for home healthcare services. Common responsibilities of an RN include:
- Administering medications
- Checking patients' vital signs
- Updating patient records
- Assisting doctors in carrying out treatment plans
- Providing education to patients about their health and wellness
Long-Term Care Nurse
Meanwhile, long-term care nurses provide more specialized care in nursing homes and assisted living or hospice facilities, working specifically with elderly and/or chronically ill patients. They may assist with patients' everyday activities as well as administer medications and provide emotional support as needed.
Home Health Nurse
Some patients rely on home health nurses to provide them with direct care in the comfort of their own homes. These nurses may work for dedicated agencies or private home healthcare services — playing a central role in monitoring patients' health and wellness, providing wound care, and administering medication.
Public Health Nurse
Interested in careers with a nursing degree that involve educating the public? Public health nurses are responsible for presenting important information about disease prevention, vaccinations, and other health/wellness topics directly to local populations. They may work alongside organizations to improve public health policies while putting together workshops, classes, and presentations for a variety of audiences. Public health nurses may work in community health clinics or for government health departments.
Occupational Health Nurse
Occupational health nurses strive to promote employee health and wellness by helping to prevent workplace injuries and provide first aid when needed. These nursing professionals are often hired directly by corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, but they may also work for government agencies.
5 Non-Traditional Careers for ADN Graduates
Although many ADN graduates will go on to pursue more "conventional" jobs in hospitals and clinical roles, several less traditional nursing careers allow RNs to work outside of typical healthcare settings. Those interested in an alternative career path with a bit more flexibility, creativity, and opportunities for specialization beyond direct patient care may want to consider the following:
Nurse Health Coach
Nurse health coaches work with clients one-on-one to help them develop personalized health and wellness plans focused on preventative care, exercise, nutrition, or stress management. They may be hired by individual clients or corporations to promote wellness programs. In certain instances, nurse health coaches may be employed by insurance companies or telehealth platforms.
Nurse Writer or Medical Content Creator
As the demand for medical content increases, so does the need for knowledgeable nurse writers and medical content creators. These professionals craft blogs, articles, and other educational content on nursing and healthcare topics. They may create dedicated content for healthcare websites, medical journals, or pharmaceutical companies. Nurse writers can work as freelancers or for healthcare publications, medical websites, or pharmaceutical/medical device companies.
Telehealth Nurse
In today's increasingly digital world, more patients are for answers to their everyday health questions and concerns. Telehealth nurses play a pivotal part in providing virtual healthcare consultations to patients via phone or video chat by assessing symptoms, providing medical advice, and determining the need for in-person care. These professionals often work with:
- Telemedicine platforms and healthcare hotline
- Telehealth companies (like Teladoc and Amwell)
- Private insurance companies
- Individuals with their own telehealth services
Cruise Ship or Travel Nurse
Want to travel the world and care for patients at the same time? Working as a travel or cruise ship nurse, you'll be responsible for providing medical care to travelers, crew members, and tourists alike as you handle everything from minor injuries to illnesses and medical emergencies. These nursing professionals are often hired by major cruise ship lines, resorts, remote travel clinics, and adventure tourism groups.
Aesthetic Nurse
Meanwhile, aesthetic nurses focus more on non-surgical cosmetic procedures to help their patients look and feel their best. They often work alongside plastic surgeons and dermatologists to administer Botox injections and fillers, perform laser treatments, and execute other non-surgical procedures. Aesthetic nurses may also educate clients on topics like skin health, anti-aging treatments, and everyday skincare regimens. Often, these professionals work for medical spas and cosmetic clinics, plastic surgery offices, or in private practices with advanced certification (such as or Botox).
How an ADN Can Lead to Career Advancement
Clearly, an ADN could prepare you for a wide range of fulfilling nursing degree careers. However, as you gain experience and learn more about yourself as a nursing professional, you may be driven to pursue advancement opportunities in your field. The good news? Your ADN can empower you with some excellent career advancement benefits.
The Benefits of Starting With an ADN
Compared to pursuing a BSN right off the bat, starting with your ADN offers a faster and more cost-effective route to launching your nursing career. Rather than having to spend four or more years in a BSN program, an ADN program can take just a couple of years to complete, allowing you to start gaining valuable work experience sooner rather than later. From there, an ADN offers plenty of flexible career paths with or without continued education — making it an ideal choice for those who want to hit the ground running in the nursing profession.
The Path to Becoming an RN With an ADN
If you're interested in getting licensed as an RN, be sure to check the specific licensing requirements for the state in which you live. In general, however, you can complete an accredited ADN program that will qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. Once you pass your NCLEX-RN exam, you can apply for an RN license in your state and begin working in healthcare right away.
Higher-Level Career Opportunities After an ADN
Additionally, an ADN can serve as a stepping stone to other advancement opportunities, such as earning your BSN, MSN, or other specialized certifications in nursing.
- RN to BSN bridge programs - These programs are designed for those who have already completed their ADNs and want to return to school to complete their BSN. In most cases, credits taken as part of an ADN program can be transferred/applied to a BSN curriculum, which can significantly shorten the amount of time needed to graduate. Graduates from a BSN program can then explore new opportunities for nursing leadership, research, and specialty roles.
- MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) - After completing a BSN, some nursing professionals may decide to take their formal education a step further by enrolling in an MSN program. By completing this graduate-level nursing program, graduates may be prepared for advanced roles as nurse practitioners, educators, and even healthcare administrators.
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Practitioner (NP) - An ADN can also provide the launching point for more advanced certifications and specializations that could help you advance your career. Depending on your unique interests and career goals, you might consider pursuing a specialization as a , , or .
Start Your Nursing Career at AIɫɫ
From traditional and less conventional roles to BSN bridge and MSN programs, the possibilities with an ADN degree are plentiful. The key, of course, is to choose the nursing associate degree program that best suits your needs and supports your professional goals.
At AIɫɫ, we're proud to offer an ADN program that's designed to be completed in as little as two years. This career-focused program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and provides students with foundational coursework in topics such as psychology, physiology, microbiology, statistics, and more.
Learn more about our AIɫɫ's ADN program by exploring our for yourself or checking out our FAQ. Ready to take the next step toward your career goals? Get started with your online application for admission today!