2 Year Nursing Programs in Ohio – Associate’s Degree in Nursing

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Lindsay Smith
Last updated at March 2, 2022

The outlook for nursing students in the Buckeye State is bright. Demand for RNs is high and the state boasts 46 educational institutions offering 2 year nursing programs in Ohio.

Graduates of these programs are permitted to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination which qualifies them to practice as an RN. Ohio’s average pass rate for the NCLEX-RN is in line with the US national average overall, however, there is some variation in the performance of individual educational institutions.

The average course length for an associate degree in nursing in Ohio is two years, although some institutions require a significant number of pre-requisite college-level courses which can extend the total time studying to three years or longer. Some courses offer options to study either full or part-time with classes in the evenings and weekends allowing students to better manage their other commitments alongside their studies.

Overview of Associate Degree Programs in Ohio

There are a large number of ADN programs in Ohio and entry to the more popular courses can be very competitive. Specific requirements for 2 Year Nursing Programs in Ohio vary by program and institution but often include significant pre-requisite college-level courses, minimum GPAs, nursing admission tests, and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).

There are a number of different ways of referring to associate degrees in nursing. These include ADN, for Associate Degree, Nursing; AN, for Associate of Nursing; ASN, for Associate of Science in Nursing; and AAS, for Associate of Applied Science in Nursing.

As long as the institution granting the degree is fully accredited by either ACEN or CCNE and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, graduates of all of these types of associate degrees are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state.

Choosing an Associate Degree Program in Ohio

There are 46 associate degree programs to choose from across Ohio offered by universities, technical colleges, and community colleges. The most critical factor in choosing a 2 Year Nursing Program in Ohio and an institution is that it is fully accredited by either ACEN or CCNE and has approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing, once this has been confirmed, other factors to consider include:

  • The type of educational institution and the quality of the teaching;
  • Curriculum and educational philosophy;
  • Pre-requisite courses and admissions process;
  • Length of program;
  • Clinical hours and where these take place;
  • Program outcomes such as the pass rates for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam compared to the state and nationally, student course completion rates, student satisfaction rates, and graduate hiring data;
  • Tuition and additional costs.

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Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

The college offers a five-semester, 65 credit program that leads to an award of Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Nursing students must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, as well as a minimum GPA of 2.75 in math and science courses. An admissions test is required for students to progress into the clinical courses in the program and applicants must already be Ohio state-tested nurse aides or LPN’s.

Clinical partners and placements include Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Drake Center; Mercy Health Partners of Southwest Ohio; St. Elizabeth Healthcare Summit Behavioral Center; TriHealth, Inc.; and UC Health.

The nursing program is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Previous graduates of the college have comfortably exceeded the state and US average pass rate for this exam.

3520 Central Parkway,

Cincinnati, OH 45223

513-569-1500

Website: https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/academics/degrees-and-certificates/nursing

Cuyahoga Community College

Cuyahoga Community college is located in urban Cleveland. Cuyahoga offers a number of flexible options within its ADN portfolio to meet the differing needs of students. It offers its associate degree program at three different campus locations and admits students twice per year. There is both a weekday program and a modified evening/weekend program. Finally, there is an accelerated option for applicants who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree in another subject elsewhere. For all options, classroom instruction is blended with laboratory work and clinical field experience.

Places on the program are offered on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who have completed pre-requisites and the entry test. The program can be completed in a minimum of four terms.

The associate degree nursing program is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

700 Carnegie Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44115

216-987-4067

Website: http://www.tri-c.edu/programs/nursing/index.html

Herzing University – Akron

Herzing University offers a 74 credit, a 20-month nursing program with three start dates per year at their Akron campus. Students take courses in general education as well as gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to work in a clinical environment. These are acquired through laboratory and clinical practicums that are undertaken alongside classroom learning. The curriculum stresses health promotion as well as disease processes.

The program leads to a degree award of Associate in Applied Science in Nursing and is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and historic pass rates achieved by graduates of the college are in line with the state and US average.

1600 S Arlington Street #100

Akron, OH 44306

330-594-3034

Website: https://www.herzing.edu/nursing-programs

Northwest State Community College

The four-semester, 65 credit program at Northwest State Community College aims to prepare nursing graduates who will be ready to enter the workforce and function as an effective and valued member of a professional healthcare team. The ADN curriculum features a mixture of face to face and online coursework, laboratory work, and a breadth of clinical experiences designed to achieve this outcome.

Students must meet all admission criteria, including pre-requisite courses, in advance of being admitted to the associate degree nursing program. After meeting the admission criteria, students are given the first available seat in the program.

This program is fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN and the historic pass rate of previous graduates has been significantly above the state and US averages.

22600 State Route 34

Archbold, OH 43502

419-267-1246

Website: https://northweststate.edu/

Stark State College

Stark State College’s concept-based ADN course is a 64 credit, five-semester program. A part-time option is also available. Academic coursework is integrated with hands-on learning experiences that take place in classrooms, the learning laboratory and a variety of clinical settings. Completion of several college-level pre-requisite courses at grade C or better is required before application and applicants are also required to pass a specified Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).

Stark State College’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program has full approval status by the Ohio Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

After completion of their studies, graduates are ready to sit the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. The pass rate of previous graduates has historically exceeded the state and US average.

6200 Frank Ave NW

North Canton, OH 44720

330-966-5458

Website: https://www.starkstate.edu/academics/programs/nursing/

Benefits of Associate Degree Programs

Aspiring RNs who want a quicker entry into the working world and the opportunity to practice their skills often choose associate degree programs. While ADN graduates may later choose to return to their studies and go on to complete a BSN or higher, completion of an ADN and passing the NCLEX-RN licensure examination allows for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce. New RNs with associate degrees can quickly build up their working experience and start to offset the cost of their studies.

Community and technical colleges are a popular and pragmatic choice for 2 Year Nursing Programs in Ohio and these types of qualifications as they typically recruit faculty with a breadth and depth of real-world experience that they can draw on to help their students gain the skills and knowledge that they need to succeed.

Accreditation and Licensing in Ohio

Licensing in Ohio is managed by the Ohio Board of Nursing. For an educational institution to obtain Board approval, the curriculum of their ADN program must be considered as suitable preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination.

The Ohio Board of Nursing regularly reviews the approach and performance of all educational institutions that offer an associate degree program to ensure the curriculum and outcomes are fit for purpose.

In addition to educational institutions requiring approval, RNs must obtain an individual license in order to practice in the state. ADN graduates obtain a license by passing the NCLEX-RN examination at the end of their program of study.

Educational institutions use accrediting organizations to demonstrate that their programs meet and achieve educational standards. The two accrediting organizations for ADN programs in Ohio are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Ohio is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Residents of a non-compact state are not eligible for a multistate license. This may restrict career mobility for RNs registered in the state in the future.