ADN or BSN?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'll be graduating with a bachelors in biology in the spring and i am trying to decide which program and school i would like to attend to become a RN. My ultimate goal is to get my masters in nursing. I just read that i can get an adn and go right into a masters program rather than getting a bsn and then go into a masters program. but im confused as to why there is even a bsn program if you can just get an associates degree which is cheaper and requires less pre-reqs. Can anyone tell me what the difference is (if any) because right now i'm thinking the adn route is the best choice for me.

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Well, there are different entry level degrees to help encourage people from different walks of life, goals, and education to gain entry into nursing. You already have a bachelors degree so going for an ADN to MSN makes sense to you. But there are people who don't have a bachelors degree and their entry is a BSN program or an ADN if they choose that route. Also, there are usually more spots in a traditional BSN program than there are in the different bridge programs. So that also factors in what people end up doing. Some people only want a BSN and don't want a higher degree. There are a lot of particulars involved.

But if you want an MSN and you already have a bachelors degree, why not just apply for an entry level masters in nursing program and bypass the ADN and BSN all together?

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Well, there are different entry level degrees to help encourage people from different walks of life, goals, and education to gain entry into nursing. You already have a bachelors degree so going for an ADN to MSN makes sense to you. But there are people who don't have a bachelors degree and their entry is a BSN program or an ADN if they choose that route. Also, there are usually more spots in a traditional BSN program than there are in the different bridge programs. So that also factors in what people end up doing. Some people only want a BSN and don't want a higher degree. There are a lot of particulars involved.

But if you want an MSN and you already have a bachelors degree, why not just apply for an entry level masters in nursing program and bypass the ADN and BSN all together?

I didn't know it was an option to just go ADN to MSN if you had a bachelors degree already. Is that possible even if its not a BSN? because I have a bachelors of Science in Health Science and was going to do an ADN. you're saying I can go to MSN eventually after my ADN, without having to get the BSN? sorry, I know that was a lot. LOL.

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Yeah, some schools have ADN to MSN programs and you don't even need a bachelors degree in another subject. Though it sounds like you go from an ADN to an MSN, you actually do the BSN work in between. So it's more like getting the BSN and MSN together at an accelerated pace.

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Specializes in Psych,Peds,MedSurg,Tele,OB,Subacute.

Well from my understanding the major difference is hiring purposes. Although the RN licensure is still the same, more and more hospitals are trying to acquire "magnet status" and in order to do that their RN's must be Bachelors prepared RN's. One thing I have also been noticing as I look at job postings is that I am seeing more and more that are wanting an RN with atleast 1 year experience UNLESS they are a BSN and then they are willing to hire a new grad. I am not really sure why that is but that is what I have been noticing. I think overall it is what is best for you though, different people are working with different time constraints so i think it is more a matter of what works for you. Good luck!

Karla

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I am about to complete my ADN program and now I am looking at another 3 semesters to get my BSN. I had to have the same classes for my ADN that I will need for my BSN. The only reason I went with my program is it is the best. They are tough, you learn alot, and they have a 99% NCLEX first time passing rate. Local BSN programs have less clinical time and the passing rates on NCLEX are lower. I may be taking the "longer" route but it's worth being in a tough, well respected program.

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Specializes in Psych,Peds,MedSurg,Tele,OB,Subacute.

I think alot does depend on what is the better program. Where I live the BSN program has had a 100% first time pass rate on the NCLEX for the last few years and the ADN is in the mid 90's. So I guess you just have to research it.

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In Maryland you can do a program at UMB where you get a masters in nursing but have a bachelors degree in something else. So in the graduate program you do clinicals. It is 16 months long and a great option. Is there something like that where you live? It would definitely make you more competitive when applying for jobs.

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Not to sound dumb, but what is ADN? Associate Degree Nurse? I thought it was AA...

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ADN is associate degree in nursing. AA would be of the arts, such as english

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