ADN or BSN??

honey2000 · Nov 17, 2009

If you have the time and the money get your BSN. It opens more doors for you. If all you want is to do bedside care then an ADN will be adequate. As far as who is a better nurse?? That has nothing to do with what degree you have, that comes from inside.

Laura

kgle · Nov 17, 2009

A BSN will offer you the option of moving into management whereas an ADN doesn't. The former is usually an 8 semester program, while ADN is 4. If you want to move on to your MSN, I would say that if you have time go for the BSN now.

thatsthekeyRNC · Nov 17, 2009

They are the same (including the same paycheck!) but like others have already said, if you feel that you may want to advance in the career later, a BSN will open those doors to you. If you're concerned about the cost, ADN is much cheaper.

guiltysins · Nov 18, 2009

Actually they are not the same paycheck in some areas. In NYC a BSN pays more (not by too much!) at some of the hospitals, so it depends on the area. ADN programs from what I've seen are much more difficult to get into then a BSN program. It also depends on the hospitals in your area, there's a lot of hospitals where I live that "prefer" you have BSN or want you to at least be enrolled in a BSN program. If you don't mind being in school an extra year and have the money, I say just go straight for the BSN.

nany100 · Dec 4, 2009

how long does it take for RN to get bsn?

PMFB-RN, RN · Dec 4, 2009

how long does it take for RN to get bsn?

*** Took me 18 months while working full time. My advice is to do whatever one gets you an RN license the quickest.

In my area ADN is clearly the better option. Here in Wisconsin the ADN program is actually designed to be done in TWO YEARS!. Imagine that, taking two years to get a two year degree.

The logic goes like this. 2 years to get and ADN for a total cost of around $6K, get a job in a hospital (the SICU where I work only hires new grad ADNs, new grad BSNs not welcome to apply), use the hospital's tuition assistance program to get your BSN. That way after 4 years you are an RN with a BSN AND two solid years of experience, you made something like $80K to $120K over the two years and no reason you should owe any student loans.

OR

You go for a BSN and after 4 years you are a spanking new grad with no experience and likely owe thousands in student loans.

RetroReactive · Dec 4, 2009

Hi,
I'm new to the website and am taking my pre-reqs so that I can apply to nursing school. The college I am attending offers a BSN degree. Several of my fellow students are considering transferring to another school that offers an ASN degree. Which is better? I would love to hear other people's thoughts. Thanks!
Teresa

I am currently at a community college taking my pre-reqs also. This college only offers the ADN degree. When I apply after this spring semester, it will take probably a year to get in. But after I finish my ADN degree and become an RN, I want to transfer to another school that offers BSN. BSN is just a higher degree. And maybe the difference between them both is that it might be easier to get into the ADN rather than the BSN.

Good Luck.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2009

I always advice people to get the BSN out of the way if they can do it.

It doesn't make a difference at first because entry level RN positions do the same thing, at basically the same pay, regardless of degree. The advantage of the BSN is that it offers great future job flexibility, especially as you age and desire to get away from bedside nursing jobs.

Good luck!

PMFB-RN, RN · Dec 5, 2009

I always advice people to get the BSN out of the way if they can do it.
It doesn't make a difference at first because entry level RN positions do the same thing, at basically the same pay, regardless of degree. The advantage of the BSN is that it offers great future job flexibility, especially as you age and desire to get away from bedside nursing jobs.
Good luck!

*** There must be large regional differences in this. The SICU where I work just hired a new manager and he is a diploma nurse, no degree in anything. A very good friend of mine just got a job with the flight crew and she has an ADN. The case manager I work with are a mix of ADNs and BSNs. I have seen case management position openings in out hospital and nothing at all is mentioned about degree needed, actually that is true for all the job openings I can remember seeing. We have 54 RNs who work in our SICU with at least 7 MSNs that I can think of, all doing bedside care. As far as I can see the type of degree you have means nothing, at least here. The one exception I can think of is that new grad BSNs are not hired into the 7 month nurse residency, ADNs only are hired.

We are a 580 bed tertiary care, teaching hospital in Wisconsin with Magnet status.

thatsthekeyRNC · Dec 5, 2009

I know that an RN is an RN, but why do some places want ADNs over BSNs?

PMFB-RN, RN · Dec 5, 2009

I know that an RN is an RN, but why do some places want ADNs over BSNs?

*** I only know of three intensive care units that are currently refusing to hire new grads with BSNs. Two at the hospital where I work and one in a near by town.

The idea (and I don't really think it's a good one) is a result of so many of the new grad BSNs who go through the 7 month Nurse Residency program for new grads to go directly into the ICU not finishing their contracts in order to go to CRNA school.