comparing ADN to BSN

Students ADN/BSN

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Hi, I have been planning to take all my pre-requisites and then transfer to the university to complete my BSN. I found out that I have more pre-reqs still left to do than I thought. I will have to go full time for 3 semesters and then the 3 year program to get my BSN. My husband is going to shore duty in February and he will switch back to sea duty 3 years after that. If I go for the BSN, I will have 2 more semesters to finish when he transfers. Plus, my son will be nearing high school graduation. I am thinking now of doing the pre-requisites for the ADN program, going there, and then doing an online RN to BSN program after I work for a year or so. Then I will finish the whole nursing school while my husband is on shore duty. I was just wondering if any of you could tell me how much difference there is in pay and responsibilites between the ADN and BSN RNs. I know there is more variety as far as types of nursing jobs available to BSNs and that is why I haven't given up on pursuing that. I am planning on working in a hospital though. Also, one of the specialties I have considered going into is surgical nursing. Is that possible for an ADN RN? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I have an appointment to speak with a counselor on Monday, but wanted to know what your experiences have been too. Thanks. -Kimberly

shay

829 Posts

There is no difference in pay or responsibilities of an ADN nurse versus a BSN nurse. A BSN will allow you to go into management, or to pursue a master's degree to become an advanced practice nurse (i.e., Nurse Practitioner). For bedside/hospital nursing, surgical nursing (like you want), an ADN will not limit you. If time and money are a factor, but you want your BSN, it's perfectly okay to get your ADN and start working and gradually finish your BSN. Both ADN's and BSN's take the same nursing boards and get the same RN certificate.

rory535

9 Posts

Kats

I am also currently debating which route to take and due to time and cost am going for the ADN. From what Ive heard, having an ADN will not close any doors for you in terms of speciality or area you would like to go into, unless its administrative. Also, your duties in a unit are exactly the same, why?, because you have RN behind your name. Please, anyone feel free to correct me if Im wrong, as this is my perception.

I have also seen programs that will allow you to do your MSN(Nurse Practioners) with just having an ADN. It is listed as RN-MSN. Obviously there are a few more requirements to do that. If anyone can give advice or opinions on that, I would also appreciate it.

kats

293 Posts

Thank you very much for your replies. I am now even more sure that this is the right way for me to go. I am so glad I asked here. Like I have told you all in another post, I have been ill from anxiety. I am getting better but the ant-anxiety pills take a while to really kick in. Going this route to become an RN definately eliminates a lot of stress I was putting on myself. I am so glad to know it won't limit my pay and responsibilites or the chance to work in surgery if I do decide to do that.

shay

829 Posts

Originally posted by rory535

I have also seen programs that will allow you to do your MSN(Nurse Practioners) with just having an ADN. It is listed as RN-MSN. Obviously there are a few more requirements to do that. If anyone can give advice or opinions on that, I would also appreciate it.

Yep, they're called bridge programs. You fulfill the requirements for a BSN while you're earning your MSN. Kind of an all-in-one deal.

There is not much of a pay difference. IF there is it is no more than 50 cents to a dollar more per hour. Also you said you want to do surgery nursing. I know tons of OR nurses who only have their ADN's in fact when I was in the OR doing my clinical the manager told me that 3/4 of the nursing staff had their ADN's. I am working on my BSN but To be quite honest if I was to start over again, I would go for my ADN first and then gone back for my BSN that way I could have saved $22,000.00. However, it is too late for that now. You can always go back later and even if you wanted to you can go from the RN-MSN like someone else mentioned really easily later on down the road. If you feel like you will get done with the ADN in much quicker time then do that to save time and money. You can always go back.

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