Wear scrubs. Save lives. Repeat.

As a student of the Associate Degree in Nursing program, you’ll cover a comprehensive curriculum of fundamental nursing knowledge, from human anatomy, physiology and mental health to dosage calculation and how to prepare for the NCLEX-RN. At University of the Cumberlands, we developed our ADN program to help you start and succeed in your healthcare career in service to your communities and patients. In fact, if you choose to continue your nursing education beyond your associate degree, you have the option to earn your bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, all at Cumberlands.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$77,600

Average Salary

6%

Industry Growth

100%

Accredited

16:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Our ADN program is designed to help you enter the field of nursing quickly and professionally as an RN (Registered Nurse). You can complete this program in as little as two years and graduate with a solid foundation of knowledge in healthcare, well prepared for entry-level nursing jobs. After finishing an ADN program, you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for licensure upon successful completion of the exam.

To understand what an ADN is, you need to know what an LPN and an RN are. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), sometimes called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), check vital signs, keep records, feed patients, and more. Typically, they’re trained through a year-long diploma program from an accredited nursing school to prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and pursue a state license.  

A nurse with a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) has completed a four-year program and is ready to pursue the registered nursing (RN) designation. RNs administer medicine, help medical teams create a patient’s plan of care, perform diagnostics and more. These nursing professionals sometimes oversee the work of LPNs and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). While a BSN can open up a number of career opportunities down the line, you can become an RN with an (ADN) education. Essentially, earning your ADN is an effective way to open the door into the field of nursing. 

Acceptance for admission may be granted during the Fall or Spring semester with a new cohort being admitted at the beginning of each fall and spring term. Any previous transcripts must be evaluated before admission is final.

Step 1: Get admitted to UC Undergraduate or be a currently enrolled UC Undergraduate student

Step 2: Apply to the ADN (RN) program

  • Once admitted to UC Undergraduate, we will send you your ADN application
  • Currently enrolled UC Undergraduate students can find their ADN application in OneLogin

Admission Requirements

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Program Mission

The mission of the associate degree nursing program is to prepare program graduates to practice with the highest integrity while employing critical and creative thinking skills toward the care of persons from all backgrounds.

Deliver patient-centered care in multiple settings to diverse people.
Integrate teamwork and collaboration with the aim of improving patient outcomes.
Recognize the purpose and application of evidence-based nursing practice.
Demonstrate personal responsibility, ethics, and professional compliance.
Understand technologically current techniques within healthcare.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Nursing Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Registered Nurse: $77,600

Registered Nurse: $77,600

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions. Registered nurses are who most patients see first and spend the most time with.  

Licensed Practical Nurse: $48,070

Licensed Practical Nurse: $48,070

Licensed practical nurses provide basic medical care to patients in a variety of settings such as hospitals, doctor offices, and residential care facilities. 

Neonatal Nurse: $77,600

Neonatal Nurse: $77,600

Neonatal nurses care for newborn babies with health issues, such as premature infants.  

Critical Care Nurse: $77,600

Critical Care Nurse: $77,600

Critical care nurses provide healthcare to patients in critical care units that require close monitoring and intensive treatment. 

Genetics Nurse: $77,600

Genetics Nurse: $77,600

Genetics nurses provide healthcare through screenings, treatment, and counseling for patients with genetic conditions. 

Cardiovascular Nurse: $77,600

Cardiovascular Nurse: $77,600

Cardiovascular nurses provide healthcare for patients with heart disease, heart conditions, or other heart-related issues. 

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from the University of the Cumberlands is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for a career in nursing. It covers essential nursing knowledge, including human anatomy, physiology, mental health, dosage calculation, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam, enabling graduates to provide patient-centered care in diverse healthcare settings.

The Department of Nursing at University of the Cumberlands believes that Nursing is a culmination of caring as both an art and a science. It is an exemplar profession for acts of service to the community. Our curriculum promotes the attainment of educational outcomes through the use of the nursing process and critical thinking to provide client-centered, evidence-based, culturally competent care. The Associate Degree in Nursing program at University of the Cumberlands is built upon the pre-licensure quality and safety competencies presented by the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Institute. These competencies include patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics. 

The Associate Degree in Nursing at the University of the Cumberlands requires a minimum of 60 credit hours, which can typically be completed in two years of full-time study.

Currently, the Associate Degree in Nursing at the University of the Cumberlands is offered on-campus. This hands-on approach ensures that students gain the practical experience necessary for a successful nursing career.

Yes, obtaining an ADN from the University of the Cumberlands is a valuable investment. With an average salary of $77,600 and a 6% industry growth rate, the program equips graduates with the skills needed to succeed in various nursing roles, providing a solid foundation for further education and career advancement.

To obtain an ADN from the University of the Cumberlands, you must complete a comprehensive curriculum totaling at least 60 credit hours, including both general education and specific nursing courses. The program includes hands-on training and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam.

A 2-year nursing degree is commonly called an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

An ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) is an educational qualification, while RN (Registered Nurse) is a professional license. Graduates of an ADN program must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed as RNs.

An ADN nurse is a registered nurse who has earned an Associate Degree in Nursing. They are qualified to provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and work in various healthcare settings.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing protects the public by development and enforcement of state laws governing the safe practice of nurses, dialysis technicians, and licensed certified professional midwives. Their website provides information about a variety of topics related to nursing, nursing licensure and more in Kentucky. Learn more by visiting their website

Yes, you can become a nurse with an associate's degree. Graduates of the ADN program at the University of the Cumberlands are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed registered nurses, enabling them to work in a variety of healthcare environments.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing provides information on benchmarks for pre-licensure programs. View those benchmarks here

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Nursing

Learn more about the nursing professors you will interact with.

Dr. Cailen Baker

Dr. Cailen Baker

Nursing Program Director / Associate Professor
Forcht School of Nursing

Dr. Cailen Baker

Contact Information

cailen.baker [at] ucumberlands.edu
Grace Libby Campbell

Grace (Libby) Campbell

Associate Professor
Forcht School of Nursing

Grace (Libby) Campbell

Contact Information

grace.campbell [at] ucumberlands.edu
Adams Center
Dr. Yalanda Scalf

Dr. Yalanda Scalf

Assistant Professor
Forcht School of Nursing

Dr. Yalanda Scalf

Contact Information

yalanda.scalf [at] ucumberlands.edu
Adams Center

Nursing Program Accreditation

The Associate Degree nursing program at the Forcht School of Nursing at the University of the Cumberlands located in Williamsburg, KY is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

In addition overall institutional accreditation statement, the online RN-BSN degree program at University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791

Accreditation was initially issued in Fall 2015.

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