Nursing is the largest health care profession in the United States and provides limitless and rewarding career opportunities for men and women. Registered Nurses (RN) are in high demand in California. A shortage of over 25,000 RNs is projected by the year 2006. Associate Degree Nurses (ADN) who account for the majority of the RN workforce, are prepared to meet the need for caring, competent, and committed health care providers.

Graduates of ADN programs possess a core of nursing knowledge and skills common to all nursing professionals. They demonstrate skills in critical thinking, communication, patient teaching, delegation, and computer technology. ADN nurses provide high-tech/ high-touch patient care in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and home care. In addition to medical-surgical nursing, employment opportunities abound in the emergency department, critical care, pediatrics, maternity, mental health, and operating room. Nurses can and do make a difference in people's lives.

ADN programs provide an affordable, accessible, and quality pathway to obtaining an RN Degree. An ADN program can be completed in four academic semesters after completing pre-requisites. There are also accelerated programs, which can be completed in 18 months, and part-time/weekend programs. Learning activities include classroom, skills lab, and clinically based experiences designed to prepare the graduate for the challenges of the workforce. Upon successful completion of the program, an Associate Degree in Nursing is awarded and graduates are eligible to take the state-licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) required for employment as a Registered Nurse. Service providers actively recruit ADN graduates because they are confident, knowledgeable, and ready for the role of the Registered Nurse.