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Associate Program
Registered Nurse (RN)
Ready to Be an RN? You Could Graduate in Just 18 Months*
Beal University is one of the best nursing schools in Maine. Our 18-month Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) program provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful Registered Nurse (RN).
- Experienced Faculty: Our instructors are experienced nurses who are passionate about teaching. They will provide you with personalized attention and guidance throughout your program.
- Strong Clinical Focus: You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
- Flexible Scheduling: We offer our accelerated ADN program in Bangor and Wilton, Maine, year-round learning, with day, evening, and online options to fit your busy schedule.
- Supportive Learning Environment: We are committed to providing you with the support you need to succeed in your studies. Our small class sizes and dedicated staff will ensure that you feel comfortable and confident throughout your program.
Take a Quick Tour of the Nursing Lab
Get Started
The best way to see if Beal University is the right fit for you is to contact an admissions representative. Get more information on the Nursing Associate’s Degree program, class schedules, and financial aid options so that you can make an informed decision about your future.
Becoming a Qualified Nurse (RN)
Get the Skills Needed to Succeed

The Nursing Associate’s Degree program is dedicated to fostering the clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and lifelong-learning skills, and compassionate understanding needed by practitioners in the nursing profession today. The nursing curriculum combines both nursing-specific and general education courses, so you’ll have a solid foundation of skills to draw upon for your career in nursing.
With a hands-on clinical placement in a real-life medical setting, you’ll learn first-hand how to collaborate as a responsible and accountable member of a healthcare team to provide safe, quality, patient-centered care – all within the legal and ethical boundaries of the nursing profession.
With a hands-on clinical placement in a real-life medical setting, you’ll learn first-hand how to collaborate as a responsible and accountable member of a healthcare team to provide safe, quality, patient-centered care – all within the legal and ethical boundaries of the nursing profession.
Learn the Principles of Nursing (RN)
Beal University provides you with excellence in both didactic and clinical teaching, partnering with community resources to ensure you get a current curriculum. Our Nursing Associate’s Degree program is ideal for students that are new to healthcare, transitioning their education from LPNs to RNs, or for foreign Doctors and Paramedics who wish to become Registered Nurses.
With flexible online and on-campus schedules, smaller class sizes, and accelerated programs, you will feel prepared and supported to pursue your career goals upon graduation.
With flexible online and on-campus schedules, smaller class sizes, and accelerated programs, you will feel prepared and supported to pursue your career goals upon graduation.
Core Courses in Nursing Associate’s Degree
During the Nursing Associate’s Degree program, you’ll take courses such as:
- Introduction to Foundational Nursing Concepts 1 & 2
- Pharmacology
- Nursing Concepts Across the Life Span 1, 2, 3 and 4
- ADN Transition to Nursing Practice
- Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2
- Microbiology
- General Education Courses
Looking For Upgrade Options?
Beal University can help you take your nursing career to new heights, see our other program options for more information.
Licensure Makes You Employable
If you complete (and graduate from) the Nursing Associate’s Degree program, that qualifies you to receive an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing (ADN). The ADN allows you to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), and apply for state licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Maine. Once you become certified, you can pursue employment as a Registered Nurse in a variety of clinical settings.
Take the Next Step
Meet with one of our knowledgeable Admissions Advisors to get more details on our online medical science programs and learn more about how Beal could be the right fit for you.
Is a Nursing Career Right for You?
Take the Nursing Education Readiness Quiz
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Take the Quiz!

Online Learning Opportunities
Flexible Schedules

All programs at Beal University are offered with hybrid learning options! At Beal, you can take many classes online from the comfort of your home. Distance learning fits your life schedule, letting you complete your courses stress-free.
The first 4-6 months of your program can be completed online, so there’s no need to put off your education. Hybrid and online learning options give you the peace of mind, flexibility, and support that you need to succeed!
The first 4-6 months of your program can be completed online, so there’s no need to put off your education. Hybrid and online learning options give you the peace of mind, flexibility, and support that you need to succeed!
Hands-On Learning Experience
Gain Real-World Training

Hands-on experience is a core part of our nursing program. Through clinical rotations in real medical settings year-round, you’ll build confidence and gain the practical skills needed to succeed as an RN.
Please note: Our Associate Degree in Nursing is available only as a full-time program. This means you’ll need to commit to daytime classes and clinical rotations, which may take place during the day, evenings, and weekends.
Please note: Our Associate Degree in Nursing is available only as a full-time program. This means you’ll need to commit to daytime classes and clinical rotations, which may take place during the day, evenings, and weekends.
Diverse Career Prospects
Find your Perfect Career Fit
As a Nurse, you could work in many settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, dialysis centers, and nursing homes. You could also work outside of a clinical setting, such as in schools, or while traveling or volunteering abroad or serving in the military.
Careers to Explore
With a Nursing Associate’s Degree you could work as a:
- Community Health Nurse
- Critical Care Nurse
- Emergency Nurse
- Gerontology Nurse
- Hospice Palliative Care Nurse
- Medical-Surgical Nurse
- Neonatology Nurse
- Occupational Health Nurse
- Orthopaedic Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- PeriAnesthesia Nurse
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse
- Rehabilitation Nurse
- And more
High Demand for Nurses
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurses is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations**. Feel confident you’re getting relevant skills to enter an in-demand career with plenty of opportunities.
Nursing Professionals Are Needed to Fill Many Roles
As a Nurse, you’d be responsible for many aspects of patient care, performing tasks such as:
- Assisting physicians in providing treatment to patients suffering from various medical conditions
- Administering medication and monitoring patient recovery and progress
- Managing intravenous lines
- Educating patients and their families on disease prevention and post-hospital treatment
- Performing patient diagnosis and case management
- Maintaining health records
- Communicating with doctors
- Supervising and giving direction to nurse aides
Take The Next Step
A new career is right around the corner
* Program length when completed in normal time. Does not include California
** https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.00
Beal University has determined through approval by the Maine Board of Nursing, its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification.
The Beal University Associate Degree in Nursing Program, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Program, and Master’s Degree in Nursing Program are pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA, attention Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, NLN CNEA Executive Director, no later than January 6, 2025 to [email protected].
The Beal University Associate Degree in Nursing Program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 202-909-2487. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.
** https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.00
Beal University has determined through approval by the Maine Board of Nursing, its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification.
The Beal University Associate Degree in Nursing Program, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Program, and Master’s Degree in Nursing Program are pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA, attention Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, NLN CNEA Executive Director, no later than January 6, 2025 to [email protected].
The Beal University Associate Degree in Nursing Program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 202-909-2487. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.