The successes of Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs since their inception in 1953 have been extensive. They include the training of 310,000 nurses, nearly one-quarter of the licensed nurses in the U.S., and the provision of competent, caring, and responsible service in hospitals, clinics, and other settings. The role of an Associate Degree (AD) nurse is central as the primary direct caretaker, the patient's advocate and resource, and an intrinsic part of the health care team. Besides these important functions, the AD nurse is an outstanding candidate for supervisory and leadership positions and can easily make the transition to baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. The needs of the profession are changing because of advances in medical technology, an older population, issues emerging from the women's movement, and an increased consumer awareness. More baccalaureate and graduate nurses will be required; the proposals of the 1970 Lysaught Report, which recommends two related but different career patterns, professional and technical, should be accepted; and modification of baccalaureate programs to accommodate ADN graduate transfers should be encouraged. Though AD nurses will not become a relic of the past, the trend at present is toward raising educational qualifications in the nursing profession and toward increasing the articulation of ADN and baccalaureate programs. (HB)