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 Cardiac/Tele/CVICU.

Where I live, the pay difference is a quarter more if you have your BSN.

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I have heard that the pay rate is about the same as both programs yield an RN. However, I had an interview this week and was told that this particular hospital is now only hiring BSN "new grads". I had applied to an ADN program and was waitlisted - it ended up in my best interests to go for the BSN program in my area that could get me right in. Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in Stepdown/Tele/MS.

The hospital I was at in Missouri paid 50 cents more per hour for a BSN.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Where I work, all things being equal BSNs are hired at 4% more.

However, as stated above, this is entry level and bedside nursing. The advantages of having a BSN come much later down the line as one wants to move away from the bedside.

Both BSNs and ADNs graduate from similar nursing studies, because they both are prepared to take the same exam, and both enter the bedside on relatively equal footing. So it's natural one is going to make the same amount or smilar amounts of money.

When deciding is you want a BSN or an ADN one needs to look beyond the entry level salary for bedside nurses but answer questions like "where do I see myself in 20 years", "what are my longterm goals, what would I like to do".

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very helpful information

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Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.

No Difference in pay here in NC where I work. Actually I noticed that a lot of ADN's have much more bedside experience coming out of school than BSN's.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
No Difference in pay here in NC where I work. Actually I noticed that a lot of ADN's have much more bedside experience coming out of school than BSN's.

Here the clinical hours are exactly the same number of hours in the ADN program and the BSN program. :)

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I believe it is more a matter of the requirements since Pay is equal. I had wanted to get into a BSN program but I found that they are often more competitive than the ADN and diploma programs. Right now the best thing is to get into a program quickly. You can always advance your degree down the line and once you have the RN license it will be easier to attend a bridge program. Many RN-BSN and LPN-BSN programs out their. The purpose is to get into a program. If you can get into a BSN right away then it makes more sense to do a BSN. Less time spent in school and less student loans to payback.

Get in where you fit in.

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I plan to apply to two of each, but is there a great difference in the work load? What are the major difference between an ADN and a BSN program?

Also hypothetically speaking, I get an associate's degree in nursing and then work as a RN for a couple of years, but then later decide to get my BSN. Would the RN-BSN program be much more different than a generic BSN program?

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

There is not much difference between the ADN and BSN nurse. There MIGHT be a difference of pay, depending on where you would be employed. But they do the same job! The main difference, however, is that with a BSN is that there are many opportunities for advancement. There are SO many threads on this very question, so search around and you will get every one of your questions answered!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I plan to apply to two of each, but is there a great difference in the work load? What are the major difference between an ADN and a BSN program?

Also hypothetically speaking, I get an associate's degree in nursing and then work as a RN for a couple of years, but then later decide to get my BSN. Would the RN-BSN program be much more different than a generic BSN program?

I did the ADN and then the ADN to BSN route.

By the time your an ADN RN, you know how to be a nurse. So the courses in your RN to BSN are not basic nursing courses, and include subjects such as research and statistics, community health, finance, leadership. NLN approved programs also require an physical assessment and patho. which is a bit more detailed, but also might be a review. There might be more co-req classes like humanities, language arts, etc.

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Can anyone tell me the pro's off obtaining my BSN over obtaining my ADN? I have heard that the pay is not much more (at all) if you have your BSN (vs the ADN)...Am I wrong? And what are the other benifits of the BSN?

How much longer would it take me to get the BSN once I have my ADN?

Thanks so much!:)

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