Program type
Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
Associate degree, then the NCLEX-RN
Typical length
Varies by school. Ask each program how long it takes a full-time student, including prerequisites.
Who approves it
Approved by your state's board of nursing (required for NCLEX eligibility).
Accreditation
Ask how the program's accreditation affects moving on to a BSN later.
ACEN: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA (per ACEN).
Find accredited programsNLN CNEA: National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
Listed in the U.S. Department of Education's database of recognized accreditors.
Find accredited programsWhat to check before you enroll
- Board of nursing approval
- Accreditation (ACEN or NLN CNEA)
- NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Waitlists and prerequisites
- RN-to-BSN transfer agreements
Where it leads
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Program finder
Searching approved programs by state and city is coming soon. Until then, use the accreditor directories above, your state board's approved list and the Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Sources
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing: find an accredited program
- National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation: find an accredited program
- NCSBN: Why boards of nursing approve nursing programs
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (U.S. Department of Education)
Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.