Best ADN Programs in the Southeast Region
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
How Many Schools from the Southeast Region were Evaluated for our Rankings?
We evaluated a total of 731 schools offering nursing programs in the Southeast.
Ranking Methodology: How were the Best ADN Programs in the Southeast Region Ranked?
To come up with the list of best ADN programs in the Southeast, we looked into more than 731 nursing schools in the region and ranked them based on four important factors - NCLEX-RN pass rates, academic quality, the nursing school’s reputation, and affordability. Following is the weightage we assigned to each of these factors.
1. NCLEX-RN Pass Rates (2019-2022): 60%
• 2019 Pass Rates: 10%
• 2020 Pass Rates: 20%
• 2021 Pass Rates: 30%
• 2022 Pass Rates: 40%
2. Academic Quality: 20%
3. The Nursing School's Reputation: 10%
4. Affordability: 10%
15 Best ADN Programs in the Southeast Region for 2024
Nurses have considerable earning capabilities, but to optimize your income potential you will need to complete your ADN education from a reputed college. Mississippi University for Women’s associate of science in nursing trains you in fulfilling the acute and chronic health care requirements of your patients. The college offers a generic track that is designed for students who have no nursing experience and allows you to graduate within 2 years. Additionally, it also offers an advanced placement track of 9-months for practical nurses who wish to earn an ADN degree.
The associate nursing program of Southside Virginia Community College equips you with theoretical knowledge and technical know-how to administer medications, monitor vital signs, and provide direct patient-centric care. The program is offered at its Christanna Campus in Alberta that was established in 1970 and has been providing quality education to its students ever since. Upon joining you will have access to a state-of-art simulation lab that comprises computer-operated human simulators that provide you with practical training in managing several complex nursing scenarios. This 67-credit curriculum also encompasses conceptual courses like developmental psychology, information literacy, competencies for nursing, and health or illness concepts.
Jobs for registered nurses are anticipated to rise by over 7% in the next decade, creating over 220,000 new positions. If you are planning to enter this field, then you can consider Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s ADN curriculum as an option. Here you will complete one semester of pre-requisite courses, after which you will study 4 semesters worth of nursing courses. These include dosage calculation, pharmacology, maternal-child health, mental health, adult health, and advanced concepts of nursing practice.
Becoming an ADN nurse can be the fastest way to become a registered nurse and begin working in a dynamic healthcare system with a full-time income. The associate degree training of Jackson State Community College inculcates managerial and clinical skills that help you become an effective team player and provide quality nursing care within legal and ethical standards. Once you are admitted into the program you will complete 65 credits through courses in humanities and liberal arts, sciences, and core nursing.
Ever thought of becoming a registered nurse in just 2 years? Pursuing an ADN not only allows you to become an RN within a short time frame but it is also the most affordable option out there. Cape Fear Community College’s ADN program boasts of a highly impressive job placement rate, with several of its graduates currently serving at prominent medical centers across the region. The program is also ranked number one in North Carolina. With a student to faculty ratio of 17:1, you will gain one-on-one attention from its well-trained faculty.
Holmes Community College offers an associate degree in nursing that prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination, after passing of which you can take up challenging patient care jobs as a registered nurse. The program is delivered by employing the traditional day schedule where you will take several classes to earn a total of 66 credits. You will take courses in general psychology, human growth and development, humanities, management of nursing care, and English composition.
Being one of the best ADN programs in the Southeast, Seminole State College of Florida boasts of a 97% job placement rate for its graduates. The curriculum is industry-centric and is carefully planned after taking inputs from leading healthcare centers. Upon joining, you will be guided through its numerous courses utilizing an online platform where you will have access to several video lectures, assignments, and important announcements. The coursework is presented through a full-time day format and a part-time evening or weekend format. You also have the option to study further and move into its RN to BSN training if you wish to go in that direction.
Pursuing your ADN education from Chattanooga State Community College will help master the required clinical skills and broaden your job opportunities. If you are looking at reducing your tuition costs, this school can be the right choice for you since it has awarded students with scholarships worth more than a million dollars. You can conveniently enroll in the program’s night schedule if you are a working nurse or join its traditional day cohort. The day program takes 2 years to complete whereas the night option can be accomplished in 2.5 years. This 66-credit coursework will train you in nutrition, human anatomy and physiology, English composition, and microbiology.
With the baby boomer population aging rapidly, the need for health care services is expected to increase, improving the overall job outlook for aspiring nurses. The two-year ADN program at Nashville State Community College can be a great option if you want to start with your nursing education. Here you will learn the fundamentals of nutrition, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, English composition, women's health, and leadership. The college also offers an LPN to RN bridge program for practical nurses who wish to level up in their knowledge and skills.
York Technical college’s 124-acre campus not only offers you an impressive nursing curriculum but also provides you with several opportunities to take up leadership roles, make new connections and play active roles in events hosted by the school’s several clubs and organizations. Once enrolled in its ADN program, you will attend 4-12 hours of clinical classes every day giving you the hands-on experience you need. This 68-credit coursework also trains you in English composition, nursing care management, pharmacologic basics, mental health nursing, college algebra, anatomy & physiology, and nursing care management.
Did you know that entry-levels RNs are authorized to have more control and are given a wider range of responsibilities than other entry-level nurses such as LPN’s? To enter this challenging field, you can complete your ADN education from Coastal Alabama Community College. The main mission of its nursing department is to prepare its students in providing secure, competent, and patient-centric services in the swiftly advancing medical industry. The coursework is divided into 3 semesters, where you will learn the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, algebra, English composition, public speaking, microbiology, psychology, and ethics and philosophy. What’s more, the school also offers the lowest tuition fees in Alabama.
If you are looking for the best ADN programs in the Southeast, then NorthWest Arkansas Community College can help you fulfill your career goals. Its associate degree trains you in individual, family, and community care practices, creating a strong foundation of nursing education and preparing you to take the NCLEX-RN examination effortlessly. Before enrolling in this program, you will complete a few general education pre-requisite courses after which, you can choose between the traditional track that begins in the fall semester, or the accelerated track that starts in the summer semester.
If you’re already a practical nurse, then by continuing your education for another year can earn you an associate degree and increase your salary to a great extent. Hopkinsville Community College offers an LPN to RN bridge program that allows you to graduate in just 3 semesters. The college also offers a 2-year long traditional ADN curriculum that includes 4 semesters of study specifically designed for students with no nursing background. Upon graduating, from either of the two tracks, you will be prepared to work in educational facilities, hospitals, childcare centers, and long-term care settings.
Listed number one in the country for its affordability, Tallahassee Community College’s ADN program allows you to have a pleasant learning experience without burning a hole in your pocket. This 72 credit hours long program provides you with rigorous training in general education and critical nursing courses like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pediatric health, reproductive health, mathematics, nutrition, and general psychology. You are required to complete these courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’ after which you can seamlessly find employment in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics.
By completing an associate degree in nursing you will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and earn the credential of an RN in a much shorter time-frame compared to a BSN prepared nurse. Coahoma Community College’s future-ready ADN curriculum is constantly updated to keep up with the latest transitions in the healthcare field. Here you will study in compact classrooms so that you can have personal interactions with your faculty. The program includes 30 credit hours of general education courses after which you will complete 2 semesters of nursing courses.