Did you know that you do not need to earn a bachelor's or master's degree to become a registered nurse (RN) in Alabama, or anywhere else in the United States? If you are looking for the quickest way to begin working as an RN and earning an average salary of $71,370 per year, all you need to do is enroll in an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program. There are many of these programs available in Alabama, and you will only need to attend classes for two years.
- 6.4% RN Job Growth
- $71,370 Yearly Salary
- 50,450 RNs Employed
Source: Projections Central, BLS
ADN programs in Alabama are offered full-time, part-time, and online, so you can choose the program that best fits your needs and schedule. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of RNs in Alabama will grow 6.4% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
To gain entry into an ADN program in Alabama, you must meet your chosen school's entrance requirements. These may include a high school diploma or GED, a health exam, a background check, and a nursing program entrance exam. If you have a high school diploma or GED and meet other requirements successfully, you can be admitted into the ADN program, which typically involves a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory participation, and practical skills training.
After earning an associate degree in nursing, you will be qualified to register for the NCLEX-RN examination. Passing this test with an acceptable score is required to get an RN license.
Related: General Admission Requirements for an ADN Program
The Best ADN Programs in Alabama
The first step to becoming an ADN in Alabama is finding a school for your training. Here are a few of the best ADN programs in the state:
Bevill State Community College
1411 Indiana Ave, Jasper, AL 35501 (205) 387-0511Bishop State Community College
351 N Broad St, Mobile, AL 36603 (251) 405-7000Calhoun Community College
6250 US-31, Tanner, AL 35671 (256) 306-2500Central Alabama Community College
1675 Cherokee Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 234-6346Central Alabama Community College
34091 US-280, Childersburg, AL 35044 (256) 378-5576Chattahoochee Valley Community College
2602 College Dr, Phenix City, AL 36869 (334) 291-4900Coastal Alabama Community College
1900 US-31, Bay Minette, AL 36507 (251) 580-2100Coastal Alabama Community College
2800 S Alabama Ave, Monroeville, AL 36460 (251) 575-3156Fortis College
7033 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL 36608 (251) 344-1203Fortis College
3736 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 272-3857Gadsden State Community College
1001 George Wallace Dr, Gadsden, AL 35903 (256) 549-8200Herzing University
280 W Valley Ave, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 916-2800J F Drake State Community & Technical College
3421 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL 35811 (256) 539-8161Jefferson State Community College
2601 Carson Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215 (205) 853-1200Judson College
302 Bibb St, Marion, AL 36756 (334) 683-5100Lawson State Community College
3060 Wilson Rd SW, Birmingham, AL 35221 (205) 925-2515Lurleen B Wallace Community College
1000 Danelly Blvd, Andalusia, AL 36420 (334) 222-6591Northeast Alabama Community College
138 AL-35, Section, AL 35771 (205) 638-4418Northwest-Shoals Community College
800 George Wallace Blvd, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 (256) 331-5200Northwest-Shoals Community College
2080 College Rd, Phil Campbell, AL 35581 (256) 331-6219Shelton State Community College
9500 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (205) 391-2211Snead State Community College
102 Elder St, Boaz, AL 35957 (256) 593-5120Southern Union State Community College
750 Roberts St, Wadley, AL 36276 (256) 395-2211Southern Union State Community College
1701 Lafayette Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 749-9100Troy University
University Ave, Troy, AL 36082 (334) 670-3100Troy University
231 Montgomery St, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 834-1400University of Mobile
5735 College Pkwy, Prichard, AL 36613 (251) 675-5990University of West Alabama
651 Highway 28 W, Livingston, AL 35470 (205) 652-3400Wallace Community College
1141 Wallace Dr, Midland City, AL 36350 (334) 983-3521Wallace Community College
801 Main St NW, Hanceville, AL 35077 (256) 352-8000Wallace Community College
3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy, Selma, AL 36703 (334) 876-9227
Job Outlook & Salary for RNs in Alabama
RNs in Alabama are in high demand, with a projected 6.4% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to Projection Central. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 50,450 RNs in the state, earning an average annual salary of $71,370, or $34.31 per hour.
Use our RN salary calculator to estimate your potential earnings based on location, experience, and education.
Explore salary trends for RNs in Alabama's metro areas below:
| Area | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | $38.06 | $79,170 |
| Auburn-Opelika | $36.56 | $76,040 |
| Birmingham-Hoover | $36.15 | $75,180 |
| Tuscaloosa | $34.17 | $71,070 |
| Huntsville | $33.74 | $70,170 |
| Mobile | $33.13 | $68,920 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $32.93 | $68,480 |
| Decatur | $32.07 | $66,710 |
| Gadsden | $31.44 | $65,380 |
| Dothan | $31.33 | $65,160 |
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville | $31.01 | $64,490 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | $30.33 | $63,090 |
Source: BLS
Alabama Board of Nursing
For questions about nursing programs and licensure in Alabama, please contact the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Alabama Board of Nursing
- Address: RSA Plaza Building, 770 Washington Ave #250, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Phone: (334) 293-5200
- Fax: (334) 293-5201
- Website: abn.alabama.gov
Conclusion
If you are looking for a rewarding career in healthcare, becoming an ADN nurse in Alabama is a great option. With an average salary of $71,370 per year and excellent job prospects, an ADN degree can give you the skills and knowledge you need to start your nursing career quickly and successfully.
