Need help understanding difference between RN and BSN

DomJo8, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2013

Are you just doing your pre-reqs at your community college? If so when you transfer to a 4 year school and graduate and pass your boards you will have your RN,BSN. If you continue at your community college and they have a nursing program you will have your RN,ASN or ADN(I've seen it used both ways). I'm unsure about your friends situation.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Oct 22, 2013

There are associate degree in nursing, ASN (2yr degree) and a bachelor degree in nursing, BSN (4 yr degree). Both will be able to sit for NCLEX and get your RN. The difference between the two is leadership classes and research classes. There are numerous threads on the ASN vs BSN debate, so I don't want to open that can of worms again.

As for your friend, something doesn't make sense. BSN allows you to sit for the RN exam. Maybe she got her ASN (and RN), then went back to school for her BSN (RN-BSN program).

sunshyne17 · Oct 22, 2013

I'm with the other posters, I am not sure how she was in school for 6 years and is going back... perhaps that is not the best example for you.

You can go to a community college and have credits transferred to another school for your BSN - that is what I did.

You will have to get a list from the University you will be graduating from (with your BSN) to see which classes are comparable to their own class (ex. Psych 101 at community will be accepted as their psych 103 university class).

You can get take the RN test 3 ways (go to a 2 year degree ASN, 4 year BSN or diploma (typically 2 years)) there are pros and cons to all. HTH

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2013

The difference is that RN is a Registered Nurse- it is not a degree, it is a license whereas BSN is Bachelor of Science in Nursing, it is the 4 year degree you earn which makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Unless this person that you mention failed NCLEX multiple times and was required to do further schooling in order to take it again, it makes no sense that she's back in school "getting her RN". If you finish a BSN program, you have earned a BSN. You do not become an RN until you take and pass NCLEX-RN.

Marsha238612 · Oct 23, 2013

The difference is that RN is a Registered Nurse- it is not a degree it is a license whereas BSN is Bachelor of Science in Nursing, it is the 4 year degree you earn which makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Unless this person that you mention failed NCLEX multiple times and was required to do further schooling in order to take it again, it makes no sense that she's back in school "getting her RN". If you finish a BSN program, you have earned a BSN. You do not become an RN until you take and pass NCLEX-RN.[/quote']
RN is a degree. It could be either a BSN(bachelors)RN or a ADN(associates)RN, please note that in both instances a degree is required.
An LPN is a licensed practical nurse, with this you only need the license as a nurse, but it does not necessitate a degree.
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KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2013

RN is a degree. It could be either a BSN(bachelors)RN or a ADN(associates)RN, please note that in both instances a degree is required.
An LPN is a licensed practical nurse, with this you only need the license as a nurse, but it does not necessitate a degree.
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I am an RN, I think I know what it is. RN is most definitely not a degree. You don't graduate with an RN degree. Your degree is either your BSN or your ADN. You can also become an RN without a degree if you complete a diploma program. You can have a nursing degree and never earn your RN if you don't pass NCLEX. My BSN degree made me eligible to take NCLEX, it did not convey to me an RN license.

LPNs need to complete a diploma program. You can't just get an LPN license without doing the necessary schooling.

MunoRN, RN · Oct 23, 2013

RN is a license. To apply for this license from a State entity that grants this license, you must graduate from a Nursing program that State entity recognizes and pass a standardized exam (NCLEX), this includes ADN, BSN, and diploma in many states. All Nursing degree programs that prepare to apply for an RN license are essentially 2 years long. An ADN "2 year degree" is about 2 years of core program and usually about a year of pre-reqs. A BSN "4 year degree" is also about 2 years of core program with about a year of pre-reqs and another year of electives.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 23, 2013

RN is a license. To apply for this license from a State entity that grants this license, you must graduate from a Nursing program that State entity recognizes and pass a standardized exam (NCLEX), this includes ADN, BSN, and diploma in many states. All Nursing degree programs that prepare to apply for an RN license are essentially 2 years long. An ADN "2 year degree" is about 2 years of core program and usually about a year of pre-reqs. A BSN "4 year degree" is also about 2 years of core program with about a year of pre-reqs and another year of electives.

MunroRN's explanation is spot on. The only thing I would add is that is that nursing is unique in the health care world in that a college degree is not required to obtain the RN license - this route is via the curiously named diploma program.

Diploma nurses generally receive their training through a hospital program that is accredited by the state BON. Successful graduates of the program recieve a diploma (not a degree) from the institution and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX for RN recognition. Diploma programs tend to be more heavily focused on the practical, rather than didactic aspects of nursing education and used to be a primary source of nurses. They are supposed to be gradually phased out but there are still five in my area, all of whom graduate highly competant nurses and show no signs of closing any time soon.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 23, 2013

I am sorry that you have gotten some misinformation in this thread --and apparently from other sources, as well. That is what sometimes happens on a public bulletin board. Also unfortunately, there are several different routes to becoming a nurse and it is confusing to outsiders -- and apparently to some members of our profession as well. People tend to be sloppy with language, leading to ocassional misunderstandings.

As some posters have said...

"RN" is not an academic degree granted by a school. The letters stand for the legal title "Registered Nurse" - which means that a person has passed the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN). Meeting the requirements for RN licensure means that a person can call themselves an RN in that state and practice nursing in accordance with the state laws ("Nurse Practice Act") that specify the rules and regulations for nurses in that state.

There are several requirements for earning a RN license. A person has to graduate from an approved nursing school, meet certain "behavior" standards (such as not having certain things on their criminal record), pay the required fees that are due every couple of years, and pass the NCLEX-RN test.

What causes the most confusion in all of this is that several types of educational programs that can qualify a person to take the NCLEX-RN and become an RN:

1. Associate Degree programs were originally designed as 2 year programs, but may take longer than that now because of the need to take pre-requisite courses prior to beginning the nursing program.

2. Diploma Programs -- These programs were very common in the early and middle part of the last century -- based in hospitals and traditionally taking 3 years to complete. The "diploma" offered by such schools is not an academic degree, but does qualify graduates to take the NCLEX-RN test and get an RN license. Most of these programs were closed in the late 20th century, but some still exist today. Many existing programs have partnered with local colleges to include formal academic credit for some courses and make for a smooth transition into the college's BSN program with no need to re-take any courses.

3. Baccalaureate Degree programs are traditionally 4 years long. However, there are some BSN degree programs that are longer or shorter depending on the pre-requisites and pace of the classes at a particular school. Also, there is some variation in the time it takes to get a BSN because some students choose to go to school part time ... or they go to another school first and have to take some extra pre-requisite courses before transfering into the nursing program ... or because some students get an Associate Degree or Diploma first and attend special BSN programs designed with their previous nursing degree in mind.

4. Master's Degree entry level programs -- These are a relatively new phenomenon in nursing. They were originally designed for people already having a Bachelor's Degree in another field, but now some admit all types of students into their programs.

Finally, each individual school has its own requirements for admission and progression through its program. A course that is required at one school might not be required at another, etc. So if you are interested in becoming a nurse, you will need to talk to the particular schools that interest you to find out the particular details about their programs. Most strangers on the internet only know the details of their particular school (and maybe a handful of other programs.)

llg, PhD, RN-BC

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 28, 2013

RN is a licensure. BSN is a degree.

All BSNs are/can potentially become RNs. However, RN licensure is not automatically granted upon graduation: you have to pass the NCLEX licensing examination.

However, not all RNs have BSNs...because you can become a RN without having a BSN. You can complete a diploma, two-year (ADN/AAS) or direct-entry masters (MSN) program, and then take the very same NCLEX licensing examination.