Associate of Science Degree in Nursing—Iowa and Nebraska

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Program at a Glance
  • Learn how to make a difference by helping patients and communities.
  • Take courses online and complete lab and simulation experiences at the Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or Lincoln locations. Clinicals occur at a local health care facility.
  • Gain the knowledge to prepare for the NCLEX-RN® exam.
  • Earn bachelor's-level credits as part of the program to fast-track your BSN.
COURSE EFFORT 15–21 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 116
COST PER CREDIT $315
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

October 16
January 8
March 25
June 10

Associate of Science in Nursing Overview

An aging population combined with a growing number of patients with access to health insurance is expected to create demand for skilled nurses.* Purdue Global's associate's degree in nursing (ADN) is designed to help you develop the knowledge, clinical skills, and work habits to direct and manage patient care, communicate with patients and caregivers, and participate as a member of a health care team.

Program highlights include:

  • Classroom and online activities feature videos, tests and quizzes, simulations, and discussion boards.
  • Laboratory requirements are completed at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; or Lincoln, Nebraska, locations, which are equipped with medical tools typically used in the field and simulators for clinical scenarios.
  • Real-world clinical practice experiences are incorporated throughout the program at various health care facilities in your local area.†
  • Faculty are experienced professionals who bring you their nursing expertise from around the United States.

Accelerate Your Career Growth With Our Two-Step BSN Pathway

Earn your ADN, launch your RN career, and get a head start on your bachelor's degree credits—in under 2 years.‡ This pathway provides an easy transition into our online RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Fast-track your career and education by starting your BSN courses as you prepare for the nursing boards. Choose from two flexible ways to earn the in-demand BSN credential:


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information about the number of hours needed to complete the clinical requirement.

20% BSN Tuition Reduction

Our ADN graduates are eligible for 20% tuition savings on our standard online RN-to-BSN.§

Board of Nursing Approval

The Associate of Science in Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, the Nebraska Board of Nursing, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

What Can You Do With an Associate's Degree in Nursing?

Nursing offers many exciting opportunities in a wide variety of roles, work settings, and specialties. To become a registered nurse, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®).#

Graduates of our program who pass the NCLEX-RN could pursue entry-level roles in fields such as geriatric nursing, maternal infant nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, and medical surgical nursing.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Active Listening
  2. Social Perceptiveness
  3. Service Orientation
  4. Speaking
  5. Coordination

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2016–2028) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.

This prelicensure nursing education program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to organize and integrate content, skills, and procedures, increase your knowledge and competence, and provide the foundation for progressively higher levels of nursing practice. It includes a bachelor’s-level leadership and management course that can also be applied toward our BSN.

Sample Courses
  • Pharmacology for Nursing
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing
  • Maternal Infant Nursing
  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
See All Nursing Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits40
  • Major Credits76
  • Total Credits116

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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current cost per credit
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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Nursing Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 231 Faculty publications in 2018–2019
student at desk icon More Than 50,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2018–2019

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2019. 2018–2019 academic year.

Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our Associate of Science in Nursing and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, on the Internet www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

†Students are required to complete their clinical experience in Linn or the surrounding counties for the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, location; Polk or the surrounding counties for the Des Moines, Iowa, location; or Lancaster or the surrounding locations for the Lincoln, Nebraska, location.

‡Completion time based on a full-time schedule (2 to 3 courses per term). Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

§Additional terms and conditions apply. May not be combined with Purdue Global scholarships, grants, military tuition reductions, tuition vouchers, or other reductions or Tuition Cap or ExcelTrack™ pricing. Must be a first-time enrollee in the Purdue Global Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Speak with an Advisor for additional information.

#Graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN® exam may be academically eligible for licensure as a registered nurse in Iowa and Nebraska. Purdue Global has not made a determination with respect to the licensure or certification requirements for any other states or occupations. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. NCLEX is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.