Formal education leading to an associate-degree in nursing (ADN). As of 2010, 37.9% of registered nurses (RN) held an ADN as their highest degree in nursing and 57.2% held a baccalaureate or graduate degree (HRSA, 2013) as their highest degree in nursing.

Additional considerations: The American Nurses Association (ANA) has consistently affirmed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as the preferred educational preparation for entry into nursing practice (ANA, 2015, Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice). The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends increasing the percentage of nurses with a BSN or higher to 80% by 2020 to meet the needs of diverse patient populations (IOM, 2010, Future of Nursing Report).