ADN

Associate Degree in Nursing

Offered by Santa Monica College Santa Monica, California

Overview

Tuition $1,156

Licensure pass rate (2025) 100%

Duration 24 months

Accreditor ACEN

An associate-level nursing degree that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN and practice as registered nurses. RNs provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about health conditions.

Career outlook

Employers hire ADN-prepared registered nurses to provide and coordinate direct patient care, administer treatments, and educate patients across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.

Getting in

What Santa Monica College asks for, taken from its own admissions page.

Entrance exam Required

Minimum GPA 2.3

Apply through School application

Transfer application Required

What you'll need

Transcripts
Prerequisite courses
Background check
Drug screen
Immunizations
CPR certification
Health insurance

Min 2.3 GPA across Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology taken in the last 5 years (no grade below C) plus college English; multicriteria point admission. Entrance exam is the NLN NEX (not TEAS), passing score 160, taken by invitation after application review. Summer 2026 application window was June 29 to July 17, 2026 for the Spring 2027 cohort (now closed); estimated program cost $3,000-$4,000 over two years. LVN/transfer applicants must complete Nursing 19 transition class.

Prerequisite courses

Checked Oct 2026 on the school's site. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm before you apply.

Paths

Routes into ADN. The first step is where you enroll today.

LPN to RN Bridge

LPN ADN

Advance from practical nursing to RN with bridge programs that credit your LPN coursework.

Time: 18 months
State: All states

Antelope Valley Community College District

View path

CNA to ADN (Registered Nurse)

CNA ADN

Turn your CNA experience into an associate nursing degree. The fastest route to RN licensure.

Time: 2 years
State: All states

Snead State Community College

View path

Find your next step.

Getting in starts with a path. Pick one, then follow the people who already did it.

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