Associate Degree Nursing -- Fall Admission

The application period for A-B Tech's 2025 Spring Associate Degree Nursing Program opens September 3 and the deadline is October 25. Learn more about Selective Admissions criteria and how to apply.

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) curriculum provides knowledge, skills, and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care, to practice in a dynamic environment, and to meet individual needs which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.

Coursework includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes the nurse as a member of the interdisciplinary team providing safe, individualized care while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Employment opportunities are vast within the global healthcare system and may include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community healthcare facilities.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program and licensure, the graduate will:

Demonstrate skills necessary to provide safe, quality care
Demonstrate the knowledge necessary for the professional Nursing practice
Identify as a nurse committed to being a client advocate, who is caring and culturally competent
Utilize informatics and evidence-based data to provide Nursing care to clients
Demonstrate behaviors that reflect integrity, responsibility, and ethical practices
Apply the principles of interdisciplinary team management

This program is nationally accredited by the:
National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Phone: (202) 909-2487
Web: NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation

This program is approved by the:
North Carolina Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602

Phone: (919) 782-3211
Website: North Carolina Board of Nursing

Specific Requirements

General college admission requirements.
High School units (as evidenced by proof of high school graduation, high-school equivalent, or earned credits from a post-secondary institution):
- Chemistry and Biology are strongly suggested
- Algebra is highly recommended
This program has a selective selection process. See Nursing Criteria on the Selective and Limited Programs page of the A-B Tech website.
Final admission to the ADN program shall be contingent upon documentation of physical and emotional health that would provide evidence indicative of the applicant’s ability to provide safe nursing care to the public; this is accomplished by submission of a nursing department-issued physical form that has been completed by a licensed healthcare provider (physician, PA, or NP).
To be eligible for admission, all Associate Degree Nursing program applicants must submit the following documentation with a completed application:
- Hold a documented, current, unrestricted credential as a Nurse Aide I (NAI) on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry (NCNAR) from the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (NC DHSR). A copy of the current listing on the NC DHSR website will be acceptable documentation.
- Satisfactory completion of required immunizations.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC). Certification is a prerequisite to full admission and must be maintained throughout the program. This certification must include hands-on skills components for the adult, child, and infant, AED use, and choking. Course certifications from any other providers will not be accepted.
Students applying to the ADN program must have successfully completed Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO-168 & BIO-169) with a "C" or better prior to full acceptance into the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Students are encouraged to have successfully completed: BIO-175, ENG-111, ENG-112, PHI-240, PSY-150, and PSY-241 with a "C" or better, due to the rigorous nature of the ADN curriculum. See your advisor for acceptable general education substitutes.
Affiliated clinical sites for nursing will require an onboarding process, which will include a criminal background check and drug testing prior to participation in the clinical component. If any clinical facility refuses to allow the student to participate in clinical experiences, for any reason, the student will not be able to progress in the program. Applicants for initial licensure in NC must also have a criminal background check.
Admission with advanced standing is subject to space available in the clinical component of the nursing program. Students who begin their nursing education at A-B Tech have a preference for admission over students requesting a transfer into the program. Space will be allotted to transfer students only when no students who have previously enrolled in the A-B Tech ADN Program are requesting and have qualified for re-entry.

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: ACA, BIO, ENG, HUM, NUR, PHI, and PSY

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
BIO-168		4
This course provides a comprehensive study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include body organization, homeostasis, cytology, histology, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems, and special senses. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the principles of anatomy and physiology and their interrelationships. This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement for transferability as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement. View course details for Anatomy and Physiology I ‌‌
BIO-169		4
This course provides a continuation of the comprehensive study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems as well as metabolism, nutrition, acid-base balance, and fluid and electrolyte balance. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of principles of anatomy and physiology and their interrelationships. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement. View course details for Anatomy and Physiology II ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
ACA-111		1
This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives. View course details for College Student Success ‌‌
BIO-175		3
This course covers principles of microbiology with emphasis on microorganisms and human disease. Topics include an overview of microbiology and aspects of medical microbiology, identification, and control of pathogens, disease transmission, host resistance, and immunity. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of microorganisms and the disease process as well as aseptic and sterile techniques. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement. View course details for General Microbiology ‌‌
NUR-111		8
This course introduces the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts within each domain including medication administration, assessment, nutrition, ethics, interdisciplinary teams, informatics, evidence-based practice, individual-centered care, and quality improvement. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care incorporating the concepts identified in this course. View course details for Intro to Health Concepts ‌‌
NUR-117		2
This course introduces information concerning sources, effects, legalities, and the safe use of medications as therapeutic agents. Emphasis is placed on nursing responsibility, accountability, pharmacokinetics, routes of medication administration, contraindications and side effects. Upon completion, students should be able to compute dosages and administer medication safely. View course details for Pharmacology ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
ENG-111		3
This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies English Composition. View course details for Writing and Inquiry ‌‌
NUR-112		5
This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of acid-base, metabolism, cellular regulation, oxygenation, infection, stress/coping, health-wellness-illness, communication, caring interventions, managing care, safety, quality improvement, and informatics. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care incorporating the concepts identified in this course. View course details for Health-Illness Concepts ‌‌
NUR-114		5
This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of cellular regulation, perfusion, inflammation, sensory perception, stress/coping, mood/affect, cognition, self, violence, health-wellness-illness, professional behaviors, caring interventions, and safety. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care incorporating the concepts identified in this course. View course details for Holistic Health Concepts ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
NUR-212		5
This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of grief/loss, violence, health-wellness-illness, collaboration, managing care, safety, advocacy, legal issues, policy, healthcare systems, ethics, accountability, and evidence-based practice. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care incorporating the concepts identified in this course. View course details for Health Systems Concepts ‌‌
PSY-150		3
This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Social/Behavioral Sciences. View course details for General Psychology ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
ENG-112		3
This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation styles, and argumentative strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing data and incorporating research findings into documented argumentative essays and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to summarize, paraphrase, interpret, and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using standard research format and style. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies English Composition. View course details for Writing/Research in the Discipline ‌‌
NUR-113		5
This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of oxygenation, sexuality, reproduction, grief/loss, mood/affect, behaviors, development, family, health-wellness-illness, communication, caring interventions, managing care, safety, and advocacy. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care incorporating the concepts identified in this course. View course details for Family Health Concepts ‌‌
NUR-211		5
This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of cellular regulation, perfusion, infection, immunity, mobility, comfort, behaviors, health-wellness-illness, clinical decision-making, caring interventions, managing care, and safety. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care incorporating the concepts identified in this course. View course details for Health Care Concepts ‌‌
PSY-241		3
This course is a study of human growth and development. Emphasis is placed on major theories and perspectives as they relate to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development from conception to death. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of development across the life span. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in Social/Behavioral Sciences. View course details for Developmental Psychology ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
NUR-213		10
This course is designed to assimilate the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of fluid/electrolytes, metabolism, perfusion, mobility, stress/coping, violence, health-wellness-illness, professional behaviors, caring interventions, managing care, healthcare systems, and quality improvement. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide quality, individualized, entry level nursing care. View course details for Complex Health Concepts ‌‌
PHI-240		3
This course introduces theories about the nature and foundations of moral judgments and applications to contemporary moral issues. Emphasis is placed on utilitarianism, rule-based ethics, existentialism, relativism versus objectivism, and egoism. Upon completion, students should be able to apply various ethical theories to individual moral issues such as euthanasia, abortion, crime and punishment, and justice. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Humanities/Fine Arts. View course details for Introduction to Ethics ‌‌

Total Credit Hours Required:

*Program total includes 8 credit hours for successful completion of BIO-168 and BIO-169 with a "C" or better in each course, as a prerequisite to admission into the ADN program.

The curriculum is based on the 2024-2025 catalog.

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

Six hours from Communication
Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication	Humanities & Fine Arts	Social & Behavioral Science	Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110	ART-111	ECO-251	BIO-161
COM-120	ART-114	ECO-252	BIO-163
COM-231	ART-115	HIS-111	BIO-168
ENG-110	HUM-110	HIS-112	MAT-110
ENG-111	HUM-115	HIS-131	MAT-121
ENG-112	MUS-110	HIS-132	MAT-143
ENG-114	MUS-112	POL-120	MAT-152
	PHI-215	PSY-150	MAT-171
	PHI-240	SOC-210	PHY-110/110A
		SOC-225	PHY-121

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

Six hours in English Composition
Six to nine hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to eight hours in Mathematics
Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
12 hours in Mathematics
12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to four hours in Mathematics
Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

Students will demonstrate information literacy.
Students will critique works of human expression.
Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

Students will identify processes.
Students will analyze problems.
Students will interpret the results.
Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.