BSn or ASN = RN, but different pre-reqs

Jules A, MSN · May 30, 2008

Maybe I'm missing something but these don't seem all that different to me although I have to say I am surprised you didn't need statistics or a couple of Englishes for your ADN. In my area I have found that while all schools seem to have 1 or 2 classes that are different it was fairly close to our ADN requirements with the extra BSN gen-ed classes added on. The school where I will be going for my BSN is taking all my ADN courses as well as quite a few CLEPs because I want to do it as quickly and cheaply as possible. :)

JettaDP · May 30, 2008

There are different requires because a BSN is a more advanced degree. You learn more because your job may require more from you. (Depending on where you work and what you ask for.) Also, a BSN prepares you for a possible MSN. So there should be more coursework. Many people get the ASN because they simply want to be an RN and do not want to get into being a charge nurse or really specialiazing in anything in particular. At my school, this is the case for most. They just want the RN so they don't pursue the BSN because of the extra work.

llg, PhD, RN · May 30, 2008

I think the courses for the 2 different degree should be more different -- NOT more similar. If there were a greater distinction between the requirements, there would be no doubts about the different qualifications of the people with the different levels of education. A lot of doubt and squabbling would be avoided.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · May 30, 2008

I think the courses for the 2 different degree should be more different -- NOT more similar. If there were a greater distinction between the requirements, there would be no doubts about the different qualifications of the people with the different levels of education. A lot of doubt and squabbling would be avoided.

I see your point and agree, but don't know if it would much of a difference. To most people an RN is an RN and people discount the efforts of the BSN, saying that the two are the same in the end. I wish someone would make a list for what benifits there are to having a BSN and stop telling us that we are/did waste our time. If it weren't for the nursing shortage, it would be easier to see the difference IMO; but thats not the case.

suzy253, RN · May 30, 2008

. Many people get the ASN because they simply want to be an RN and do not want to get into being a charge nurse or really specialiazing in anything in particular. At my school, this is the case for most. They just want the RN so they don't pursue the BSN because of the extra work.

Don't necessarily need an ASN or a BSN to be charge. I'm a diploma grad (2 years ago) and am charge at times; as is my fellow grad---in ICU.

NatashaFromOregon · May 31, 2008

Im applying to an ASN program next academic year and my friend just finished her first year of a BSN program. We compared notes and the pre-req's were pretty much identical:

A & P I, II, III

Cell Biology

Elementary Chemistry

Writing 121, 122

Nutrition

Intermediate Algebra (actually, she also had to take "College Algebra")

Psychology 201

Developmental/Lifespan Psychology

A "Diversity" requirement

Medical Terminology

Our curriculum was the same in the program as well, except for the BSN, she has to take:

1 more year of Nursing Theory

Epidemiology

Statistics

2 Upper Division Arts & Letters classes

Clinical times in both programs were the same.

NatashaFromOregon · May 31, 2008

I also wanted to add that both the ASN and BSN programs I am speaking of utilized a point system for admittance.

I hope this doesn't turn into (yet another....) "who's better that who" argument; those seem to be way too common among nurses, as I am disdainfully learning. BOTH ASN's and BSN's are educated persons and make great nurses.

casi, ASN, RN · May 31, 2008

I did the prereqs for both an ADN and BSN programs so I could apply for both. The big difference was that the ADN program seemed to have more pre-reqs as in the BSN program you take A&P and learn CNA skills. Although the BSN did require higher levels of Chemistry, Math, and English.

MedicalNerd · May 31, 2008

I planned on getting the ADN first because I wanted the experience to go along with the education. I know that I will be more motivated to get the BSN after working as a RN for a few years. Here in CA there are many bridge programs that allow one to do the additional classes and work still. I thought that it would be a better option for me. I also would be able to get the hospital to pay for it as well which just makes it even better.

My grand plan is to go NP in time, I just know for me, working and doing the additional education will be better for my learning style.

The point is... we are/or will be RN's which is a prestigious and well respected position, we should embrace that and support eachother.

______________:yeahthat:

allnurses Guide · Jun 1, 2008

In the general nursing discussion forum, there is a recent thread that goes through a lot of this:

"Need Information - Why Bachelors over Associates?!? is it worth it? "

There is no one set of requisite courses that define ADN vs. BSN across the nation. The lists you have seen here are specific to those schools. The NLN and AACN specify numbers of hours, but not particular courses. A paper I did for a curriculum course comparing ADN & BSN showed wider discrepancies are out there. One ADN program I looked at required very little to get into, with around 9 hours of sciences, the rest were included in the hours of nursing school itself; the English course ( 6 hours) were also considered in the nursing courses. A top line BSN course only a few hundred miles away required more than 3 times the prereq sciences, and tons of liberal arts courses. Major differences. The nursing courses themselves tended to be more complex and cover more research, leadership, etc. in the BSN curriculum. The ADN program I am most familiar with has 4 semesters, the BSN 5.

As I posted in the other thread, the major differences are in breadth and depth of the entire education that goes into a bachelor's degree.

That said, to me as long as you pass your NCLEX and take good care of your patients, I'm not real worried about which diploma is on your wall.

mb1949 · Jun 1, 2008

I am in a ADN program and I had to take intro chem, gen chem, eng comp 1 & 2, communication, psych, developmental psych, a & p 1&2, microbiology, socialology, art or music and PE> Most people in my class are going for BSN after graduation, but because of economic or time constrains decided to do it this way.