Adn Or Bsn?

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I was just wondering, what is the difference between an ADN (RN)and a BSN (RN), besides the fact one is a 4 year and one is a 2 year program?

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Sounds like the verdict is to get the BSN and I agree.

You will come out making the same amount of money as an ADN nurse that is true and take the same NCLEX exam. So accept that and expect it. Your BSN comes into play in the future, so keep your options open and get it early.

I've always said I'd go back and get my BSN and haven't done it yet. Good luck in whatever you decide. :)

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

If you can, I'd suggest talking to recent grads of both programs. The ADN program I'm attending is pretty well thought of, the local BSN program is widely disparaged, even by its own graduates. A healthy dose of skepticism is in order, though. The quality of education you get depends a lot on you, no matter where you go, and I'm beginning to seriously doubt that any nursing school prepares you as well as you would like to be.

I think that's why I don't object to looking at nursing as a trade. What you learn in school prepares you to spend a lifetime mastering the field. By that reasoning, a Diploma program ought to be the best approach, since it's most like a true apprenticeship. You learn by study and by doing. But I can't evaluate that hypothesis, since the handful of diploma nurses I know have been at it so long that they would probably be experts if they had found their RN in a box of Cracker Jacks.

That said, I don't see how a BSN could possibly hurt you. If it's an accredited school, it will offer what you need, and how much you take from it will ultimately be up to you.

Work hard. Have fun. Don't give up. Best of luck, whatever you decide.

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I am trying to decide between two different nursing programs. One is an ADN and the other a BSN program. Can someone give the pros and cons of both? Thanks! =)

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

There are about a gazillion threads on this....using the search tool is helpful!

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Thanks! I'm still new to the forum and getting used to this thing! =)

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, tmax8272 and welcome to allnurses.com

I moved your thread to the, Registered Nurses: Diploma, ADN or BSN? forum for a better response.

Cruise through this forum for discussion on this topic.

We hope you enjoy the site.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I am trying to decide between two different nursing programs. One is an ADN and the other a BSN program. Can someone give the pros and cons of both? Thanks! =)

*** Like everything else it depends. I can only think of 4 reasons anyone should choose BSN as their qualifying degree.

1. You just graduated from high school and need the "college experience".

2. You have a free ride scholarship to a university that has a BSN program.

3. You live in one of those states whose "two year" ADN program is really 3-4 years. or the ADN program has a long waiting list

4. You already have a bachelors degree and are going to one of the 1 year Accelerated BSN programs.

Other than one of those reasons do the ADN. It's cheaper and, at least here in Wisconsin is really set up to be a 2-year program. In the 4-5 years you spend getting the BSN you could get an ADN and two years work experience making $40-$65K. You could choose to work in a hospital that will pay for you to get your RN like my hospital does and in 4 years instead of being a new grad BSN you could be an RN with two years experience, a free BSN and will have made around $100K in that time. Also at least during the 3rd and 4th years you would have health insurance through your employer.

The real fly in the ADN ointment is that most community colleges have long waiting lists.

The only advantages to getting an BSN as the qualifying degree I can think of is that most BSN schools use completive admissions and there is no waiting list, and for those who already hold a bachelors degree you can become an RN in only one year (assuming you pick the right school.)

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Thanks for the advice! PMFB -

since I already have my prereqs for both programs.... I will only have to go to school for two years to complete either program, that's why I am still up in the air. The financial aid is definently going to play a huge part too!

Thanks again! =)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Both degrees will get you at the beside as a Registered Nurse making the same money. (Some places pay a small premium for the BSN).

The BSN is an investment in the future. Years from now you might decide you want to advance your career away from the bedside. This is when the BSN comes in handy because it's marketable for "BSN preferred" jobs like management, teaching, quality control, case management, publlic health nursing, research, or other positions or as a stepping stone to a Masters. One might think they want to always work in a certain area, but you never know.

I recommend if you have the opportunity, to go ahead and get the BSN now. However, the ADN is a fine way to go as well. There are many ADN to BSN programs if you want to get the ADN first.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Thanks for the advice! PMFB -

since I already have my prereqs for both programs.... I will only have to go to school for two years to complete either program, that's why I am still up in the air. The financial aid is definently going to play a huge part too!

Thanks again! =)

*** I didn't realize that. In that case my advice would be to do the BSN if you can afford it.

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

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Both degrees will get you at the beside as a Registered Nurse making the same money. (Some places pay a small premium for the BSN).

The BSN is an investment in the future. Years from now you might decide you want to advance your career away from the bedside. This is when the BSN comes in handy because it's marketable for "BSN preferred" jobs like management, teaching, quality control, case management, publlic health nursing, research, or other positions or as a stepping stone to a Masters. One might think

*** Good points. While I think many people would be better off getting getting and ADN as the qualifying degree, I also think getting the BSN is a wise move. The way I see it the optimum is to get the ADN and immediately enroll in a RN to BSN program for all the reasons I have listed in a previous post.

I have been giving this matter a lot of thought lately. I have been trying to decide whether I should go for a BSN or do a direct RN to MSN now that several schools are offering it. It would only be 5 semesters for RN to MSN vs 4 semesters for RN to BSN. Lots to think about.

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I chose the ADN degree. Had already completed one career and was ready to start a second "life". ADN's are paid the same wage where I work and from what I have noticed there does not seem to be a difference in intellegence or ability to do the job between the two.

My husband is now going for a nursing degree and has chosen to go to a BSN program. He thinks he may want to continue on and get a higer degree so it makes sense for him to go that way.

In the community where I received my ADN, the ADN programs had a higher pass rate than the BSN programs on the NCLEX.

Good luck with either path you chose.

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