If you aspire to become a registered nurse (RN), it could be worthwhile to consider pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). Associate’s degrees in nursing only take two years to complete, and programs are offered at most community colleges. This makes the ADN the quickest and most affordable way to launch your career as an RN.
RNs who only have associate’s degrees do tend to earn less than those who have earned bachelor’s degrees. In the state of Hawaii, RNs with bachelor’s degrees can expect to earn approximately $86,000 per year, while RNs with associate’s degrees consistently earn about $15,000 less. However, it is possible to get your career off the ground through a quick and affordable ADN program, then to continue your education through a part-time RN-to-BSN program. This would enable you to work as an RN while you continue to better your education, and is a very common way for RNs to get their careers underway.