Community college education through the looking glass of associate degree nursing

Community colleges, offering associate degree education, have become the major supplier of new graduates across the academic disciplines and professional careers. In nursing, associate degree nursing (ADN) preparation offers the shortest pathway to professional practice. Approximately 60% of nursing students graduate from Community Colleges. A diverse population of traditional and nontraditional students enters the contemporary higher-education system. Lack of appropriate academic preparation affects the students' success and integration into professional practice. The community college leadership must evaluate whether the existing curriculum reflects the contemporary social and student needs. (C) 2012 National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.