7 Best FAST-TRACK ADN Programs (For High School Graduates)


Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA

What’s the shortest way to become a registered nurse? Enroll in a fast-track associate nursing degree program! Fast-track ADN programs are ideal for people who have their hearts set on becoming an RN but who don’t want to go to school for four years. With an associate nursing degree, you’ll learn the core hands-on skills and essential knowledge you need to succeed as a registered nurse, so you can enter the workforce in two years or less. You always have the option of going back to school to get a BSN if you want to do that at a later date. What are the best fast-track ADN programs? The list below will give you all the information you need on the 7 best fastest (campus-based and online) ADN programs.



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What are the Best Fast-Track (Campus-Based and Online) ADN Programs in the Nation?

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 7 best (FAST-TRACK) ADN programs. The following list includes both (Campus-Based and Online) FAST-TRACK traditional ADN programs. These traditional fast ADN programs are for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. You can complete these programs in 20 months or less.)


1. Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences - Draper, UT


Program Length: 20 Months


Program Details: Joyce University offers one of the best fastest ADN programs in the nation. With no prerequisites needed for admission, you can begin pursuing your degree faster, which means getting on the fast-track to starting your career in less time. At Joyce University, you will experience a hybrid learning format consisting of online lectures and extensive hands-on learning experiences, including laboratory simulations and clinical practicums.

The program features a 69-credit curriculum that includes classes such as Holistic Nursing Across the Lifespan, Fundamentals of Professional Nursing, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology. You will gain experience through realistic simulations performed on high-fidelity mannequins in the university’s state-of-the-art simulation center.

The program also includes 472.5 preceptor-supervised clinical hours, which you will complete at various healthcare facilities across the state. Some of the school’s clinical partner sites include Jordan Valley Medical Center, Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, and St. Marks Hospital.

How Fast Can You Complete This Program: At Joyce University, you can earn your Associate of Science in Nursing degree in just five semesters, or 20 months, making this one of the shortest ADN programs available.


Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the ADN program at Joyce University, you must have a high school diploma or the equivalent, pass a drug screen and a criminal background check. After completing an application for admission, you must request official high school transcripts to be submitted to the school, complete an online readiness assessment, pass a physical and mental health examination, and provide proof of health insurance.


Why Choose Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences ADN Program

• At Joyce University, you will learn from highly experienced, specialized nursing professionals who are strongly dedicated to your success and the nursing profession.
• Graduates of the Joyce University fast-track ADN program consistently demonstrate excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates.
• The university offers clinical placement assistance and advisors who work with you from the time you begin your program until graduation to help ensure you have the best experiences in the classroom and in clinicals, preparing you for your new role as a registered nurse.


2. American Career College - Los Angeles, CA


Program Length: 20 Months


Program Details: American Career College offers an associate's degree in nursing program that combines foundational knowledge and hands-on clinical experience to provide you with a comprehensive nursing education. The program typically offers four or five start dates yearly, making it possible for you to begin your studies at a time that is most convenient for you.

The ADN program is available in several formats, including campus-based, online, virtual with some in-person meetings, and hybrid. The program, which is one of the nation's best fast-track ADN programs, requires you to complete 68 credit hours. You will complete classes such as Contemporary Nursing Practice, Human Growth and Development, Pharmacological Therapies, and Health Promotion for Families.

Clinical practicums are arranged in local healthcare facilities and hospitals and designed to give you diverse experiences. You will care for patients of all ages across the lifespan, providing care for individuals with varying degrees of health.

How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The fast ADN program at American Career College is designed to be completed in 20 months over five semesters.


Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the American Career College ADN program, you must first submit an online application to the college and then submit your official high school transcript or GED and transcripts from any college or university you have attended. You must complete placement testing. Once accepted, you must attend new student orientation and an advising appointment with an academic advisor prior to registering for classes.


Why Choose American Career College ADN Program

• American Career College arranges collaborative learning experiences with clinical faculty and preceptors to give you the best learning experiences to prepare for RN practice.
• U.S. News recognizes American Career College as one of the top schools for Associate Nursing Degrees.
• Students learn from dedicated, experienced staff with a wide range of knowledge, skills, and expertise.


3. Jefferson Community and Technical College - Louisville, KY


Program Length: 4 Semesters


Program Details: At Jefferson Community and Technical College, the Associate Degree in Nursing program admits students twice a year in the fall and spring semesters. The program, which is delivered in a hybrid format, consists of online lectures, laboratory simulations, and clinical practicums for two to three nights during the weekend or evenings.

The program requires you to complete between 62 and 66 credits. You will study in classes, including Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Microbiology, and General Psychology. Clinical faculty will guide you as you learn in hospitals, physicians’ offices, community health facilities, and other designated clinical sites.

How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The program offered at Jefferson Community and Technical College is one of the shortest fast-track ADN programs available. The ADN program is designed to be completed in four semesters of full-time study.


Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the short ADN program at Jefferson Community and Technical College, you must first apply to and be accepted to the college. You then must apply for admission to the School of Nursing. Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, submit official high school and any college transcripts, and take the HESI A2 Entrance Exam. Additionally, you must attend a mandatory preadmission conference.


Why Choose Jefferson Community and Technical College ADN Program

• Jefferson Community and Technical College reports outstanding retention rates for students in the program, which is indicative of student satisfaction and success.
• Graduates of the program have excellent success with first-time attempts on the NCLEX-RN.
• Post-graduation employment rates are high, with most program graduates reporting having found employment as RNs within 6 to 12 months after graduation.


4. University of Charleston - Charleston, WV


Program Length: 16 Months


Program Details: The University of Charleston offers another of the best fastest ADN programs. The program admits students three times yearly in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

At the University of Charleston, you will complete 61 credits to earn the Associate of Arts Degree in Nursing. The program is delivered in a hybrid form, combining traditional, face-to-face classes with online and independent work.

You will study in classes such as Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Medical Surgical Nursing, Obstetric Nursing, and Drug and Dosage Calculations. Additionally, you will participate in laboratory simulations on campus to prepare for clinical practicums. The program includes 720 hours of preceptor-supervised clinical practicum.

How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The fast-track ADN program at the University of Charleston is designed to be completed in 16 months.


Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the fast-track ADN program at the University of Charleston must have a minimum high school diploma or equivalent with a high school GPA of at least 2.0. You must gain full admission to the university before applying to the ADN program. You must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses and score a minimum of 60% on the TEAS entrance exam.


Why Choose University of Charleston ADN Program

• The University of Charleston has a history of more than 50 years of educating nursing students, indicating solid dedication to the profession and student success.
• You will learn from well-respected, experienced faculty who remain active in practice, which means they are aware of current trends in nursing and can prepare you for your role as a registered nurse.
• Low attrition rates in the ADN program indicate student satisfaction and success.


5. Beal University - Wilton, ME


Program Length: 18 Months


Program Details: Another excellent fast-track ADN program can be found at Beal University. The program is offered in a full-time hybrid format and offers start dates in the spring, summer, fall, and winter quarters each year. The university accepts applications on a rolling basis, which means your application can be reviewed and approved for admission as early as the start date of next quarter.

At Beal University, you will attend daytime lectures and laboratory simulations and participate in day, evening, and weekend clinical practicum assignments. The program features a 69-credit curriculum with classes including Human Anatomy and Physiology of the Structural Systems, Nursing Concepts Across the Lifespan, Sociology, and Microbiology.

You will also complete 1,468 clinical hours consisting of hands-on patient care. Clinicals are conducted in a variety of healthcare settings under the direct supervision of a clinical preceptor or nursing faculty member.

How Fast Can You Complete This Program: You can expect to earn an associate degree in nursing at Beal University in 18 months.


Admission Requirements: When applying for admission to the fast ADN program at Beal University, you must provide a high school, GID/HiSET, or college transcript. High school or college transcripts must reflect a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale. You may be required to take the university’s entrance exam, and you will be required to provide proof of current immunizations. After submitting your application for admission, you will be invited to meet with an admissions advisor who will help direct and support you through the remainder of the admissions process.


Why Choose Beal University ADN Program

• Beal University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the best undergraduate nursing programs in the nation.
• At Beal University, you will have a student advisor who stays with you from the time you are admitted until you graduate, dedicated to helping promote your success through every aspect of the program.
• The ADN program at Beal has a low attrition rate, which speaks well of student success and satisfaction.


6. ATA College - Louisville, KY


Program Length: 19 Months


Program Details: ATA College is home to another of our top-rated fast-track ADN programs. The program is offered in a hybrid format with classes delivered online and in person, and clinical practicum and lab simulations are conducted in person.

The ADN program features a 97-credit curriculum with classes such as Advanced Pharmacology, Mental Health Nursing, Transcultural and Community Health Nursing, and Acute Care Nursing. Additionally, you will complete a minimum of 430 clinical hours. Clinicals will occur in healthcare settings at affiliated partner sites under the direct supervision of clinical preceptors and clinical faculty.

How Fast Can You Complete This Program: With a 19-month plan of study, you can become a licensed registered nurse in less than two years at ATA College.


Admission Requirements: To be admitted to the fast-track ADN program at ATA College, you must complete a Nursing Application and be approved by the Program Director. Candidates must pass a 9-panel drug test. You must have a high school diploma or the equivalent, pass the TEAS entrance exam, or have an ACT composite score of at least 19 or an SAT composite score of at least 1350.


Why Choose ATA College ADN Program

• At ATA College, you will prepare for clinical practicums in the school’s state-of-the-art simulation labs.
• The program is taught by qualified, experienced nursing faculty who are dedicated to your success as a student and professional nurse.
• Graduates of the ATA College ADN program have excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates, indicative of the strong preparation students receive while enrolled in the program.


7. Midlands Technical College - West Columbia, SC


Program Length: 5 Semesters


Program Details: Midlands Technical College offers another outstanding fast-track ADN program. The program offers start dates in the fall and spring annually.

The ADN program requires you to complete 68 credits. Some of the classes you will take include Probability and Statistics, Contemporary Nursing Practice, Contemporary Medical Surgical Concepts, and Health Promotion for Families. Along with classroom instruction, you will practice hands-on skills in simulated, high-fidelity laboratories on campus and learn in diverse clinical settings. Clinical experiences are arranged by clinical staff through affiliations with local hospitals and healthcare facilities.

How Fast Can You Complete This Program: At Midlands Technical College, you can complete the associate degree in nursing program in just five semesters. The program is designed in a full-time format and follows a cohort model.


Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the fast-track ADN program at Midlands Technical College, you must possess a minimum high school diploma or its equivalent. In addition to completing an application for admission, you must pass a physical and mental health evaluation demonstrating physical and emotional ability to carry out the normal activities of nursing. Candidates with high school biology and algebra credits are preferred. You must attend a two-part orientation and provide a copy of a BLS for health providers certification, health forms, and immunization records before beginning the program.


Why Choose Midlands Technical College ADN Program

• Midlands Technical College offers a blend of classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction to give you a wide range of experience and prepare you for clinical practice as a registered nurse.
• You will have support from a dedicated advisor throughout the program and until you find employment following graduation.
• The college has a large group of faculty and staff with diverse specialty certifications and clinical experiences.


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Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.