Professional Nursing: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Rasmussen University Guide [2025]

A Comprehensive Guide to Rasmussen University’s Professional Nursing: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Choosing to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and become a Registered Nurse (RN) is a profound decision – a commitment to a career dedicated to caregiving, critical thinking, and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. Rasmussen University’s Professional Nursing ADN program is designed to provide aspiring nurses with the essential knowledge, clinical skills, nursing values, and real-world experience required to excel in entry-level professional nursing positions. This comprehensive guide explores the Rasmussen ADN program in detail, covering everything from curriculum and admission requirements to potential challenges and strategies for success.

Program At a Glance

• Finish in as few as: 21 months
• Courses to Complete: 25 (Note: PDF lists more individual courses contributing to the total credits)
• Campuses Offering Program: 16

Program Overview: Your Path to Becoming an RN

Rasmussen University’s Professional Nursing program aims to get qualified students on track quickly and efficiently. Key features highlighted include:

• No Pre-Nursing Coursework Needed: Unlike many programs, Rasmussen does not require specific pre-nursing courses for admission.
• No Waiting Lists (Many Campuses): Qualified applicants may find no waiting list at many Rasmussen campuses, allowing for a faster start.
• Multiple Start Dates: Most campuses offer eight start dates per year, while some offer four, providing flexibility for students to begin when ready.
• Hybrid Learning Model: The program effectively blends online coursework with essential on-campus lab simulations and hands-on clinical experiences.
• NCLEX-RN® Preparation: The curriculum and learning experiences are specifically designed to prepare graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®), the gateway to becoming a licensed RN.

The program’s core objective is to foster competency in professional behavior, communication, assessment, clinical decision-making, caring interventions, teaching and learning, collaboration, and managing care. Graduates are prepared to utilize the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation) to provide care across the lifespan in diverse healthcare settings.

NGR 6937: Synthesis and Integration of State of the Science Research

What Types of Nursing Courses Will I Take?

The Rasmussen ADN program requires the completion of 102 total credits, divided between General Education and Core Nursing courses. This comprehensive curriculum ensures graduates have both the foundational knowledge and the specific nursing expertise required for professional practice.

General Education Courses (42 Credits):

These courses provide essential grounding in sciences, humanities, and social sciences relevant to healthcare.

• English Composition (4 Credits):

ENC1101 English Composition*

• Humanities (4 Credits):
  • Select 1 course (See Rasmussen Catalog page 91 for options)
• Mathematics (4 Credits):

MAT1222 Algebra

• Natural Sciences (22 Credits):

BSC2087C Human Anatomy and Physiology I

BSC2089C Human Anatomy and Physiology II

CHM1100C General Chemistry

HUN2000 Human Nutrition

MCB234DC General Microbiology

• Social Sciences (8 Credits):

DEP2004 Human Growth and Development

PSY1012 General Psychology*

(Self-directed assessment may be available for courses marked with an asterisk; see Rasmussen catalog page 170 for details)

Core Nursing Courses (60 Credits):

These courses build progressively, developing clinical reasoning, practical skills, and professional identity.

NUR1055 Introduction to Nursing (4 credits)

NUR2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology (3 credits)

NUR2180 Physical Assessment (3 credits)

NUR2214 Nursing Care of the Older Adult (3 credits) – Focuses on understanding aging’s impact on healthcare and promoting autonomy/safety.

NUR2243 Professional Nursing Skills I (3 credits) – Establishes basic care/comfort skills, care for specific disorders (musculoskeletal, integumentary, elimination), practiced in supervised labs.

NUR2356 Multidimensional Care I (5 credits)

NUR2392 Multidimensional Care II (6 credits)

NUR2459 Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing (4 credits) – Explores factors impacting well-being, effects of stress, and complexities of mental health care.

NUR2474 Pharmacology for Professional Nursing (4 credits)

NUR2502 Multidimensional Care III (6 credits)

NUR2513 Maternal-Child Nursing (4 credits)

NUR2648 Professional Nursing Skills II (2 credits)

NUR2755 Multidimensional Care IV (6 credits)

NUR2832 Leadership and Professional Identity (4 credits) – Examines leadership/management roles, using evidence-based practice for decision-making, and understanding regulatory/legal/ethical standards.

NUR2989 Associate Degree in Nursing Capstone (3 credits)

To graduate, students must successfully complete all required NUR coursework with a grade of C or better, achieve all required skill competencies, and satisfactorily complete all required clinical learning experiences. Program progression policies require students who fail or withdraw from a core nursing course to repeat it successfully in the next available quarter. Prerequisite courses must be passed before enrolling in subsequent courses.

Already an LPN? Explore the LPN to RN Bridge Option

Rasmussen University recognizes the valuable knowledge and experience of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). For those holding a current, unencumbered LPN/LVN license, an LPN to RN Bridge pathway is available within the ADN program.

Eligible LPNs receive course waiver credit (CW grade posted on transcript) for the following courses, totaling 12 credits:

NUR1055 Introduction to Nursing (4 credits)

NUR2243 Professional Nursing Skills I (3 credits)

NUR2356 Multidimensional Care I (5 credits)

(An unencumbered license is defined as unexpired and without any current or prior disciplinary action ).

Additionally, LPNs entering the bridge program may transfer in up to 42 credits of applicable General Education coursework completed previously with a grade of C or higher. Graduates of Rasmussen’s own Practical Nursing Diploma program will already have fulfilled 8 General Education credits (ENC1101 and MAT1222). Bridge students must then successfully complete all remaining coursework in the ADN program to earn their degree. This pathway allows qualified LPNs to advance their education and become an RN potentially in as few as 18 months.

Admission Requirements: Starting Your Journey

Rasmussen aims for a straightforward admission process for its ADN program:

• No Prerequisite Coursework: As mentioned, there’s no need to complete specific college courses before applying.
• Entrance Exam or Prior Degree: Entrants must either achieve an acceptable score on the School of Nursing Entrance Exam OR provide an official transcript showing a conferred Bachelor’s degree or higher with a minimum 2.25 GPA from an accredited institution. Transcripts must be received promptly (by the sixth business day of the first quarter) if used for entry.
• High School Verification: Documentation may be required.
• Program-Specific Requirements: Accepted students must also fulfill:
  • Health physical and proof of immunizations (per Nursing Student Handbook).
  • Criminal background screening(s). Requirements vary by state/campus (e.g., Florida requires two checks including a Level 2 check; Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin require a third-party check; Minnesota requires a Dept. of Human Services check, potentially plus a third-party check depending on campus ). Additional checks may be needed for clinical placements. Prospective students must consider how their history might impact future employment.
  • Current Basic Life Saving (BLS)/CPR Certification with Defibrillator.
  • Completion of the School of Nursing Orientation.
  • Any other program-specific requirements outlined during enrollment.

• Application Cost: There is no cost to apply.
• Prior Credits: Entrants with prior college credits undergo a transcript evaluation during admissions.
• Acceptance: Written confirmation is sent once all requirements are met.

Program Outcomes: What Will I Be Prepared to Do?

Graduates of the Rasmussen ADN program are prepared for the challenges and rewards of a professional nursing career.

• Take the NCLEX-RN®: The primary goal is NCLEX success. Experienced faculty guide students through a curriculum designed to instill the knowledge and critical thinking needed to pass the licensure exam and become a confident RN.
• Confidently Work in the Nursing Field: Graduates possess essential nursing training and employer-focused transferable skills, enabling them to pursue in-demand RN roles. They are prepared to apply the nursing process across the lifespan in diverse settings. Common career opportunities include roles in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities.
• Enter a Growing Profession: The field offers strong job prospects. National data cited by Rasmussen indicates a projected 6% job growth for RNs (2023-2033), with an estimated 194,500 openings projected annually due to workforce changes. The nation currently employs roughly 4.8 million RNs.

Skills Gained Through the Program

Beyond technical knowledge, the program cultivates crucial professional attributes:

• Patient Care: Learning patient-centered skills in real-world and simulated environments, preparing graduates to serve effectively in various healthcare settings.
• Professional Confidence: Building self-assurance through classroom learning and experiential practice to provide exceptional, safe patient care.
• Critical Thinking: Developing decision-making abilities and care interventions to meet patient needs swiftly, calmly, and effectively.
• Well-Rounded Perspective: Gaining valuable industry insights from faculty who bring real-world nursing experience to the classroom.

Costs & Savings: Investing in Your ADN

Rasmussen provides transparency regarding program costs and emphasizes affordability.

• Tuition Costs: Based on the Florida pricing example, the estimated full-time total program cost is $53,478. This is calculated from a cost per credit of $449 multiplied by 102 total credits ($45,798 total tuition), plus $7,680 in total fees. Given 25 courses and multiple start dates, full-time students might finish in as few as 21 months. This is an estimate; students must use the tuition estimator tool or speak with admissions for personalized costs.
• Need Help Paying for College? Rasmussen encourages students to explore financial options. Admissions representatives can discuss affordability strategies, including:
  • Transfer credits
  • Self-directed assessments (potentially available for courses like ENC1101, PSY1012)
  • Loans and grants (for those who qualify)
  • Scholarship opportunities
  • Corporate grants
  • Military grants

Where Can I Find an ADN Program Near Me?

The Rasmussen Professional Nursing Associate’s Degree program is offered at numerous campuses across several states. The specific degree awarded varies by state: it’s an Associate of Science (AS) in Florida, and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

Campuses Offering the ADN Program:

• FLORIDA: Central Pasco (Odessa), Fort Myers, North Orlando (Altamonte Springs – satellite of Ocala), Ocala, Tampa/Brandon
• ILLINOIS: Aurora/Naperville, Mokena/Tinley Park, Rockford, Romeoville/Joliet (Aurora, Mokena, Rockford are extension campuses of Romeoville/Joliet)
• KANSAS: Kansas City/Overland Park, Topeka (Topeka is an off-campus instructional site of Overland Park)
• MINNESOTA: Mankato, Moorhead, St. Cloud
• WISCONSIN: Green Bay, Wausau

(Note: The program is not offered in North Dakota )

The program is designed to meet educational requirements for RN licensure in the states where it’s offered (FL, KS, IL, MN, WI). Rasmussen has also determined it meets educational requirements in several additional states (MN, WI, ND, SD, IA, FL, AL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MO, MT) but makes no determination for others. Prospective students must always verify eligibility requirements in the state they intend to practice.

Getting Started: How to Begin Your Nursing Program

Rasmussen outlines a clear process to begin:

1. Sign Up for a Nursing Information Session: This is a required first step. These sessions (often virtual ) provide a detailed look at the nursing programs, campuses, labs, technology, and learning environment. You can speak with nursing-specific admissions staff, get questions answered, and understand the path forward.
2. Complete Admissions Process: After the info session, work with admissions to complete all application and acceptance requirements.
3. Begin Classes: Enroll and start classes on the next available start date that works for you.

Accreditation: Ensuring Quality Standards

Accreditation signifies that a program meets rigorous quality standards set by an external body. Rasmussen University’s ADN programs at various campuses are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation statuses (e.g., Continuing Accreditation, Initial Accreditation, Continuing Accreditation with Conditions, Candidacy) vary by campus and reflect ongoing evaluation processes. Specific details and public information are available from ACEN. This accreditation provides confidence to students and the public regarding the program’s quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How do I become an RN? Complete a qualified ADN or BSN program and pass the NCLEX-RN® exam. Rasmussen offers both options.
• What’s the difference between an LPN and an RN (with ADN)? LPNs (practical nursing) typically have diploma training, provide direct care under supervision, often in long-term care. RNs with an ADN (professional nursing) have broader job opportunities, often supervise others, use more critical thinking/assessment skills, and frequently work in hospitals.
• What jobs can I get as an RN? Roles include staff nurse in hospitals (ER, surgical, pediatric, etc.), clinics, travel nursing, administration, and specialty centers.
• How long does it take to become an RN via ADN? Rasmussen’s ADN program can take as few as 21 months. The LPN-RN bridge takes as few as 18 months. After graduation, you must pass the NCLEX-RN®, which involves a waiting period (approx. 45 days minimum, varies by state).
• What support services are available? Rasmussen provides academic advising, tutoring, financial aid help (qualifiers), 24/7 tech support, and more.
• Are there prerequisites? No specific prerequisite courses are required to apply.
• ADN vs. BSN? Both lead to RN licensure. ADN is faster and potentially less expensive initially. BSN takes longer but offers a higher academic credential and potentially more career/leadership opportunities. ADN graduates can pursue an RN to BSN program later.

Rasmussen University: Practical Nursing (PN/LPN) Diploma Guide (2025)

Challenges Likely to Come Up When Taking This Program

Embarking on an ADN program, especially one like Rasmussen’s which balances speed with comprehensive learning, presents unique challenges. Anticipating these can help you prepare:

• Academic Rigor and Pace: The 102-credit curriculum packed into potentially 21 months means a demanding pace. Courses like Essentials of Pathophysiology, Pharmacology for Professional Nursing, and the Multidimensional Care series require significant study and comprehension of complex material.
• Balancing Theory and Practice: Integrating classroom knowledge with hands-on skills in labs and unpredictable clinical environments requires mental flexibility and strong application skills. The hybrid format demands self-discipline for online components.
• Clinical Demands: Clinical rotations require adapting to different healthcare settings, working with real patients under supervision, performing skills correctly, communicating professionally, and managing time effectively during shifts. This can be physically and emotionally demanding.
• Time Commitment: Successfully navigating coursework, labs, clinical hours, study time, travel, and personal life requires exceptional time management and often necessitates sacrifices in other areas.
• Stress and Emotional Resilience: Nursing school is inherently stressful due to the high stakes, complex material, performance expectations, and exposure to challenging patient situations (e.g., in Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing ). Building coping mechanisms is crucial.

Overcoming Challenges: Success hinges on organization, discipline, seeking support proactively (instructors, advisors, tutors ), forming study groups, prioritizing self-care to prevent burnout, and utilizing effective study techniques.

How to Ace This Program: Strategies for Success

Thriving in Rasmussen’s ADN program goes beyond just passing. Aiming for excellence requires strategic effort:

• Master Time Management: Create and stick to a detailed schedule allocating time for classes, labs, clinicals, study, review, assignments, and personal needs. Break down large tasks.
• Active Learning Techniques: Don’t just read; engage! Use concept maps for pathophysiology, flashcards for pharmacology, practice NCLEX-style questions regularly, participate in discussions, and teach concepts to peers.
• Optimize Clinical Experiences: Prepare thoroughly before each clinical shift. Set learning goals. Be proactive in seeking opportunities to practice skills and observe procedures. Ask thoughtful questions. Reflect critically on your experiences.
• Leverage Rasmussen’s Support System: From day one, connect with academic advisors. Utilize tutoring for difficult subjects. Attend faculty office hours. Use library resources. Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed to seek help.
• Consistent NCLEX-RN® Prep: Integrate NCLEX-style practice questions throughout the program, not just in the final stages. Understand the rationale behind correct and incorrect answers.
• Develop Clinical Judgment: Focus on why you are performing assessments and interventions. Connect pathophysiology, pharmacology, and patient assessment findings to make sound clinical decisions.
• Prioritize Foundational Sciences: Solid understanding of Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Chemistry, and Microbiology is essential for understanding advanced nursing concepts like Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.
• Build Professionalism: Practice effective communication, collaboration, and ethical behavior in all interactions.

 

How Gradeoneessays.com Can Help Students Ace This Course

The Rasmussen ADN program is rigorous, demanding mastery of complex subjects like Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and advanced clinical reasoning across multiple Multidimensional Care courses. Students must synthesize vast amounts of information, apply it in high-pressure clinical settings, and develop sophisticated skills in assessment [cite: 11 – NUR2180], leadership [cite: 11 – NUR2832], and patient education. The capstone course [cite: 11 – NUR2989] further requires integrating all learned knowledge.

Given these significant academic demands alongside clinical rotations and personal responsibilities, even dedicated students can benefit from targeted support. While Rasmussen offers valuable internal resources, specialized external services like Gradeoneessays.com can provide supplementary assistance tailored to specific challenges encountered in ADN programs.

Illustrative examples of how students might utilize such a service ethically as a learning aid include:

• Seeking clarification on complex disease processes covered in Pathophysiology or drug interactions discussed in Pharmacology.
• Getting assistance structuring complex care plans or case study analyses required in Multidimensional Care courses.
• Requesting help outlining research or structuring arguments for papers or the final capstone project.
• Using editing support to ensure written assignments demonstrate clarity, professionalism, and adherence to academic standards expected in nursing.

By strategically using resources like Gradeoneessays.com to understand difficult concepts better or refine assignment structure, students can potentially free up time to focus on critical hands-on skills practice, clinical preparation, and NCLEX-RN® study, thereby enhancing their overall chance of success.

Struggling with Your ADN Journey at Rasmussen?

Are you currently enrolled in the Rasmussen Professional Nursing ADN program and feeling overwhelmed by the challenging coursework, stressed by clinical demands, or struggling to keep up with the pace? It’s common to face hurdles in such an intensive program. Don’t navigate these challenges alone. Reaching your goal of becoming an RN is possible with the right support. Take advantage of Rasmussen’s built-in resources like tutoring and academic advising.

Connect with your instructors and peers. If you need further, specialized academic assistance to grasp complex topics, manage challenging assignments, or strengthen your understanding to truly succeed, consider exploring resources like Gradeoneessays.com. They offer support tailored to nursing students, potentially providing the boost you need to confidently overcome obstacles and excel in your studies. Reach out for help today.

Conclusion: Your Registered Nursing Career Awaits

Rasmussen University’s Professional Nursing Associate Degree program provides a robust, supportive, and relatively fast-paced route to becoming a Registered Nurse. Its comprehensive curriculum, blend of online and hands-on learning, focus on NCLEX-RN® preparation, and extensive student support systems create a strong foundation for a successful nursing career. While the path demands dedication, resilience, and excellent time management to overcome inherent challenges, the rewards – a fulfilling career impacting patient lives – are immense.

By leveraging program resources, employing effective study strategies, prioritizing well-being, and potentially utilizing targeted external support like Gradeoneessays.com when needed, aspiring nurses can confidently navigate the Rasmussen ADN program and step successfully into the dynamic and essential world of professional nursing.