Associate of Science Degree Nursing

Any time you interact with the healthcare field, you’re almost certainly going to encounter a registered nurse. From your family doctor’s office to the local urgent care to the school nurses working in your district, registered nurses are at the crux of our medical system. It is a career built on passion, caring, and expertise, and you could be a part of it with the Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Smith Chason School of Nursing in Los Angeles, CA.

Currently only offered at our Los Angeles Campus. Enrolling for an April 2024 start.

WHAT IS REGISTERED NURSING?

Registered nurses are the backbone of our modern healthcare industry. They work across the system, everywhere from tiny clinics to big public hospitals, serving the needs of their patients. Modern nurses are more highly trained and specialized than ever before, and it can be a great way to be a part of the medical profession. Many registered nurses go on to add specialties to their resume or even to further their education by becoming clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners.

WHAT DOES A REGISTERED NURSE DO?

Registered nurses are the jacks-of-all-trades of the medical profession, tasked with doing everything from providing direct patient care to education patients and the public to offering mental and emotional support. Their day-to-day tasks might include:

• Assessing the condition of patients, both when they’re admitted and during the course of their visit
• Filling out and keeping record of patients’ medical histories and current symptoms or treatments
• Administering medications and treatments to patients as prescribed by a physician
• Assisting with and contributing to the development of care plans for patients
• Operating and monitoring medical equipment
• Helping to perform diagnostic tests and consulting with the care team on the results
• Communicating results, treatments, and post-release care with patients and their families

Nurses can also choose to work with specific conditions and patient groups, like: addiction treatment, cardiovascular, pediatrics, rehabilitation, surgical recovery, neonatal, and others.

HOW DO I BECOME A REGISTERED NURSE?

A formal postsecondary education is required in order to become a registered nurse, often through accredited programs like the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Smith Chason. Our Los Angeles nursing degree program has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and is a complete partner of ATI. We prioritize hands-on learning from day one, starting in our highly developed simulation lab.

Vocational nurses should also:

• Have strong critical-thinking skills — RNs have the most contact with patients and need to be able to assess their status and know when and how to take action when necessary.
• Be compassionate — An empathetic and caring disposition are key in those looking to enter the nursing profession.
• Have good physical stamina — Being a registered nurse is a very active profession that often requires being on your feet much of the day and assisting, moving, and even lifting patients.
• Be very organized — RNs often juggle multiple patients and their individual conditions and need to be able to keep all of them straight and know what each of them needs at the appropriate times.
• Have strong communication skills — As an LVN, you’ll be working with a whole team of other medical professionals, so being able to interact and communicate with them well is key.

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DO NURSES NEED?

All registered nurses who want to work in the state of California are required to be licensed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing by successfully passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Preparation for the NCLEX exam is a core component of our curriculum, and we pride ourselves on readying you to successfully sit for your licensure. Most new nursing graduates are also expected to have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, and potentially Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) as well.

There are additional specialized certifications nurses can pursue as well that can open up new employment opportunities, like:

• IV Therapy
• Long-term care
• Wound care
• Oncology
• Hospice and palliative care
• And a lot more

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN A NURSING DEGREE PROGRAM?

Smith Chason offers you a learner-focused experience, with an evidence-based approach to your education that’s built on the knowledge of our professional nursing instructors. Our Los Angeles ADN program combines online theory and lecture classes with hands-on nursing skills in our highly developed simulation and skills labs, and off-site clinical experience, to provide you with complete education in the skills and competencies you will need as a registered nurse. The program will cover topics like:

• How to utilize evidence-based interventions to achieve the best patient outcomes
• How to prepare and prioritize the appropriate skills, up through the highest levels of care
• How to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals
• How to be a patient safety advocate at all times by establishing compassionate, caring, and therapeutic relationships

Many RNs choose to specialize their careers in departments like:

• Medical/Surgical
• Critical Care
• Cardiology
• Geriatrics
• Obstetrics & Gynecological (OB-GYN)
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Surgery and Transplantation
• Emergency Room
• Nursing Education

For over 20 years, the founders of Smith Chason School of Nursing have made it our mission to produce graduates who display both academic excellence and the highest levels of integrity. We are a true partner in your journey to becoming part of the nursing profession.