RN vs. BSN

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I am wondering what the differences in RN and BSN are. I am in the process of deciding to get my RN or go all out and get my BSN. Is there a big difference in pay for BSN, or do (small towns) just want nurses, not depending on length of school?!

Thanks so much!

Even though I am an ASN nurse with a BA in a related field, I am glad that a BSN is becoming the standard of entry level nursing. I believe it is what the profession of nursing needs to legitimize itself once and for all.

If I had to do it over again, I would have gone for my BSN, but probably after obtaining my ADN and then working and letting a hospital help me pay for a BSN. I'm reaching retirement age now and do not regret my path, but I've certainly met a lot of ADN RNs in my career who needed a broader education. I think the ADN of today is considered the LPN of the past.

As an aside, however, it's been my experience that a lot of medical schools are becoming easier, and some of the med school grads I interact with seem like highly educated physician assistants. Go figure.

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I live in the St. Louis area and from what i can see some hospitals prefer BSN but that doesn't mean you can't find a job with only your ADN. I am getting my RN, i have a friend who just graduated with her BSN. She has $50,000 in student loans and i will have no debt when i graduate, and starting pay is about the same ADN-$20.00/hr BSN-$20.50. Is 50 cents an hour more really worth $50,000 in loans plus interest? I didn't think so. Yes, BSN are first in line for promotions and can manage a floor, but if your a new grad, its not like you'll be doing that anyway right out of college. Plus if you want your BSN a lot of the time you can get the hospital to pay for it. From what i've seen the #1 thing hospitals look for is experience! Yes, if a new grad RN and BSN apply for the same job the BSN will probably get it. But if an RN with 2 years experience applies for a job vs a new BSN the RN will get it. But nurses are needed so bad that probably both will get a job! I'd say if you have plenty of money to put toward your education, go for the BSN. If not get your ADN.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

There are ways of getting your student loan paid for and continue to work and make great money. Have your friend look into http://www.IHS.GOV She will have to work for them for 2 years, but they will pay up to $40K of her student loans off, if she stays longer the more they will pay them off. I know many people who have done this and the pay is usually better then most acute care hospitals.

BTW, having a BSN does more then just getting one into management...

I live in the St. Louis area and from what i can see some hospitals prefer BSN but that doesn't mean you can't find a job with only your ADN. I am getting my RN, i have a friend who just graduated with her BSN. She has $50,000 in student loans and i will have no debt when i graduate, and starting pay is about the same ADN-$20.00/hr BSN-$20.50. Is 50 cents an hour more really worth $50,000 in loans plus interest? I didn't think so. Yes, BSN are first in line for promotions and can manage a floor, but if your a new grad, its not like you'll be doing that anyway right out of college. Plus if you want your BSN a lot of the time you can get the hospital to pay for it. From what i've seen the #1 thing hospitals look for is experience! Yes, if a new grad RN and BSN apply for the same job the BSN will probably get it. But if an RN with 2 years experience applies for a job vs a new BSN the RN will get it. But nurses are needed so bad that probably both will get a job! I'd say if you have plenty of money to put toward your education, go for the BSN. If not get your ADN.
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

More and More university's are offering Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) for people who have an undergrad in another discipline but wants to get into nursing. This is going to change nursing for the better.

Even though I am an ASN nurse with a BA in a related field, I am glad that a BSN is becoming the standard of entry level nursing. I believe it is what the profession of nursing needs to legitimize itself once and for all.

If I had to do it over again, I would have gone for my BSN, but probably after obtaining my ADN and then working and letting a hospital help me pay for a BSN. I'm reaching retirement age now and do not regret my path, but I've certainly met a lot of ADN RNs in my career who needed a broader education. I think the ADN of today is considered the LPN of the past.

As an aside, however, it's been my experience that a lot of medical schools are becoming easier, and some of the med school grads I interact with seem like highly educated physician assistants. Go figure.

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Im not saying it doesn't open more doors then that. But for a new nurse a lot of the benefits of having your BSN won't make much of a difference until you have some experience. My friend actually already looked into that. The problem is she's now on maternity leave because she got married and is having her first child so she can't work for a while. So now she's basically stuck with these loans and just accumulating interest. I don't know where your from but in St. Louis hospitals seem to be A LOT more willing to help pay for your higher degree then to do any type of loan forgiveness.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

When it comes to an education its a very personal thing, some people look at an undergrad as an accomplishment and a goal for them, no one can say getting a BSN or ADN is a right or wrong, however with the way nursing is slowly heading, to the BSN being the preferred degree.

So if many of the hospitals are willing to pay off loans then its not an issue now is it? If your friend wants to go back to school and get her MSN, DnP she is one step closer then someone who doesn't have a BSN. Also if she wants to teach clinical's down the road she can do that with a BSN, something ADN's can not do.

Im not saying it doesn't open more doors then that. But for a new nurse a lot of the benefits of having your BSN won't make much of a difference until you have some experience. My friend actually already looked into that. The problem is she's now on maternity leave because she got married and is having her first child so she can't work for a while. So now she's basically stuck with these loans and just accumulating interest. I don't know where your from but in St. Louis hospitals seem to be A LOT more willing to help pay for your higher degree then to do any type of loan forgiveness.
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I'm not saying you shouldn't get your BSN. Im sure eventually a BSN will be the minimum requirement for a registered nurse. I think depending on your situation, its smarter to get your ADN then bridge to your BSN and let the hospital pay for it. If you go straight for your BSN, and have a bunch of debt its going to be a LOT harder to find a hospital that will pay off all your loans then it would be to have the hospital you work for pay for your bridge program. While at the same time your getting experience while earning your BSN. Not to mention the fact that a lot of people go into nursing then realize its not for them. Especially now in this economy when it seems like everyone is going into nursing so they can find a job. If you go for your BSN and then realize its not for you, then what?

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I think in certain areas of the country, it is very difficult for a new graduate to get a job, and in particular a new grad with an associates degree. Maybe St Louis is different from NYC.

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I think it might be different in St. Louis because before I decided whether to get my RN or BSN i spoke with a lot of ADN nurses who had recently graduated from my school and they said pretty much everyone has found a job soon after they graduated, especially if you get a nurse tech job before you finish. I do know a few of the hospitals prefer BSN nurses but most will hire both.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Uh, there can be no such thing as RN vs BSN.

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Uh, there can be no such thing as RN vs BSN.

Well yeah, but we all know what was intended :jester:

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Uh, there can be no such thing as RN vs BSN.

Actually, yes there can be.

RN is a government issued license, while a BSN is an academic degree. One of several educational routes that allow one to test to become an RN. ;)

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