when an ADN gets their BSN do they need to retake boards as well?

PMFB-RN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

Question when an ADN gets their BSN do they need to retake boards as well?

*** Not sure if this is a real question or not. I will asume it is. From a practice standpoint an RN is an RN. When it comes scope of practice it doesn't make the slightest difference if an RN has an ADN, diploma or BSN, or MSN, or DNP, or PhD. All of them have the same scope of practice when it comes to bedside nursing care. Some nurses are advanced practice nurses who have expanded scope of practice but once again their degree does not determine this. On can find NPs and CRNAs with BSNs, MSN, and DNP and even a few old timers who may not even have a BSN and have been grandfathered in all doing exactly the same job.

So no, once you pass the NCLEX (boards) and you are an RN you are an RN and never need retake them reguardless of where your career takes you. Advanced practice nurses will have their own qualifying exam they must take and pass after they finish their education program but they never need retake the RN NCLEX.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

Question when an ADN gets their BSN do they need to retake boards as well?

No. Once the ADN-educated nurse passes boards, he/she will never have to take NCLEX again unless the nursing license is allowed to expire. This ADN-educated nurse can go on to earn a BSN, MSN, Ph.d, or DNP, and still never have to retake boards.