Difference between BSN and RN

There's a whole forum with over 400 threads on the subject. I'm sure you'll find loads of info if you do a search or read a sticky in that area. I hope the link works:

http://allnurses.com/registered-nurses-diploma/

Short version: All BSNs are RNs, but not all RNs are BSNs

RN is registered nurse. You can get there via a diploma program, an associates degree (ADN) program or a bachelors degree (BSN) program.

A BSN RN is just an RN with a bachelor's degree--basically, they have the most schooling and it (usually) takes the longest to achieve. Whether it makes an actual difference in nursing practice is very debatable, as over 400 additional threads will attest to But for the most part, having a BSN is seen as a plus...but that doesn't mean not having one is automatically a negative.

Keep in mind that BSN does not automatically mean RN. You can graduate from a BSN program and never pass your boards...you will always have BSN, it can't be taken from you once you graduate the program. If you never take, or never pass NCLEX, then you'll never be an RN. If you lose you license for practice reasons, illegal activities, drugs, etc...you will still be a BSN, but not an RN.

BSN is a degree.
RN is a registration license.

You don't even have to attend nursing school to sit for the NCLEX in some instances. But they're rare.

The RN license allows you to practice Registered Nursing and be paid for it. The BSN diploma is nice to display somewhere in your home, as is the ASN diploma or a diploma from a diploma program, or for that matter an entry level MSN diploma. There are people who graduate from the educational institutions who never take or pass the licensing exam, so without the RN license, they can not practice nursing.

Stated in yet another way ...

RN = "Registered Nurse" = which indicates that the person has passed a test (called the NCLEX-RN) that is given by the state government. When you pass the test, you are given license to practice as a registered nurse.

In order to be allowed to take the test that qualifies you for an RN licence, you have to meet certain conditions that show you have been educated as a nurse. For most people, that means graduating from an approved school of nursing.

What makes thing really confusing is that there are many different types of educational programs that provide the courses needed to qualified to take the RN test. "Diploma programs" are based in hospitals and do not grant academic degrees, but rather give you a diploma stating that you passed their classes. Diploma programs are usually approximately 3 years in length. "Associate Degrees" are usually found in community colleges and vocational schools. They usually take 1.5 - 3 years to complete. "Bachelor's Degrees" are the equivalent to other 4-year college/university level degrees -- though very recently a few community colleges and vocational schools have started to offer BSN's. There are also a few programs that provide the introductory nursing content in "Master's Degree" programs at universities. Schools of all types are experimenting with different formats and program structures as they try to make money by providing nursing education to people who want to become nurses.

Each type of academic program has a slightly different emphasis, but each provides the basic beginner-level courses that are required for their graduates to take the RN exam. Graduating from an educational program doesn't give you a nursing license. The education gives you the qualifications you need to take the test and get a nursing license, which allows you to use the title "RN."