Associate Degree Program

OVERVIEW OF THE ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM 

Fairmont State University's School of Nursing offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program. This program is two years in length and upon graduation, the student receives the Associate Degree in Nursing and is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The associate degree nurse is prepared as a technical nurse to care for clients with common health problems in structured settings. The associate degree nursing practice is defined by the roles of care provider, client teacher, communicator, manager of client care and member within the profession of nursing.

The mission of the Associate Degree Nursing program is to provide quality entry level nursing education to individuals in north central West Virginia and beyond. The program is designed to prepare graduates for a challenging and satisfying career as a nurse. The curriculum includes a balance of nursing and non-nursing courses. Students have the opportunity to apply nursing theory and skills in the campus laboratory and two state-of-the-art simulation laboratories,  as well as in clinical settings which may include hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, clinics, and physician’s offices.  Students are expected to provide their own transportation to all clinical experiences, which may include agencies in Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Doddridge, Lewis, and Harrison counties. 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing program must pass the national licensure exam to be a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN).  Employment opportunities are at an all-time high in West Virginia and nationwide. 

• Registered nurses constitute the largest healthcare occupation, with 2.4 million jobs.
• More new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation.
• Job opportunities are expected to be excellent.
• Almost 3 out of 5 jobs are in hospitals, in inpatient and outpatient departments. Others work in offices of physicians, outpatient clinics, nursing care facilities, home healthcare services, employment services, government agencies, and outpatient care centers.
• Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing program who are licensed as registered nurses can continue their education in our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.