Competencies Expected of the Associate Degree Nurse

The Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) is an entry level practitioner and is competent to practice as a direct caregiver in a variety of health care settings which include diverse patient populations.  The ADN graduate utilizes critical thinking and judgment and demonstrates clinical competence and accountability as a generalist nurse who is committed to caring for others and valuing the profession of nursing.  ADN graduates are employed in a health care delivery system that continues to grow and change.  It is the value and philosophy of the Cerritos College Nursing Program that ADN graduates have an inquiry for lifelong learning and pursue a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in preparation for advanced levels of practice. The ADN graduate utilizes critical thinking and judgment and demonstrates clinical competence and accountability as a generalist nurse who is committed to caring for others and valuing the profession of nursing.