adn vs bsn

NurseRatchet26 · Feb 2, 2004

I just asked a similar question, apparently its somewhat touchy subject. I'll be looking forward to reading the replies to your post as well as mine.

orrnlori, RN · Feb 8, 2004

Well it makes about .42/hour difference in hourly rate at my university hospital. My suggestion to you is to really look at the total number of nursing hours in an ADN program and then look at the number of nursing hours in a BSN program. What I found when I did that was that the ADN program had the same number of nursing hours as the BSN program had. The BSN had more general education, literature, etc. So I chose the ADN.

Now having said that you need to consider this - if you get your ADN and then decide to bridge to a BSN, you will find you will have many many more nursing hours to complete. So if you have the luxury of taking either/or I'd recommend the BSN from the start. You will not work as hard at it as you will if you go ADN then bridge to BSN. I've worked with nurses who have done it both ways, always the bridge nurses ultimately took more nursing classes than the original BSN 4 year students did and worked a lot harder to finish the BSN.

I'm completing a bachelor's degree, but not in nursing. I want to go into Public Health or Healtcare Administration. Ready to get off my feet.

luanne123 · Feb 9, 2004

I first got my Associatres Degree/RN and then while working completed my BSN. It makes no difference where I work. The only advantage is if I ever want to go to graduate school (in anything) I aldeady have a BS. Good luck.

Ectopy · Feb 18, 2004

Go ADN. You can begin working for RN pay in TWO years and continue earning RN pay while you finish a bridge to BSN or even MSN. Also, many hospitals are paying much if not all of the costs for completing the BSN.

manna, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2004

Depends on your career goals long-term, really. This is a touchy subject around here, and there are LOTS of thread on it. Use the search tool and you can probably find a ton of information that's already been posted.

BETSRN · Feb 18, 2004

I already had a non-nursing BS and that's why I did the diploma path. Best thing I ever did. You get far better hands on in an ADN program than you do in a BSN one. I can always tell the difference in new grads. Good luck!

majicalblue · Feb 19, 2004

I'm in an ADN program, and when I complete it I'm going for my BSN. I was confused at first what to do also, but when I spoke to someone at my work about it and they said an RN is an Rn is an RN no matter what degree you have. It all depends on if you want help in paying for education later, or if you even want to pay for it yourself in the long run. There are a lot of different options out there, and no matter who you talk to, their opion may be different from the next. In what ever you may choose I'm sure it'll all work out for the best. Good Luck!

gwlillith · Feb 19, 2004

I have had my ASN/RN for nearly 10 years, right now I'm working on my BSN. There really isn't much difference other than the pay scale, and some employers will require BSN in certain fields of nursing...ie...Critical Care, Adminstration, etc...I work for a large hospital that offers tuition assistance as well as bonuses when educational advancement is achieved. On occasion though, there will be "scuttlebut" regarding the ASN nurses vs BSN nurses and always comes down to the pay scale! Funny, it seems it right around the time of the yearly evaluations! Don't worry about completing the BSN right away, I would wait and let your employer pay for the rest of your education! Get your foot in the door first.

BETSRN · Feb 19, 2004

I agree with elizzy. You'll have a much better appreciation of nursing after you have some hands on experience. Then your BSN will mean a whole lot more to you when you have been in the "real" world of nursing for a while. I personally don't think all the BSN programs give their students a glimpse of reality. So many of them seem so unequipped to handle the acuity or the pace of nursing. They burn out and it is so sad to see that happenening in a career that can be so rewarding (can you tell I love nursing). I firmly believe that one has to know what nursing is really like at the bedside, before he or she can be an effective administrator.

I started my MSN but got fed up. At my age and stage of the game it wasn' :rotfl: t worth it because I love the bedside. So rather than hassle that type of schooling, I got my RNC and my lactation and childbirth certifications. Those are a whole lot more worthwhile to me and to my patients.

lab2004 · Feb 26, 2004

Thanks for all the responses. What is the difference in pay if you have an ADN or a BSN?

orrnlori, RN · Feb 27, 2004

At my hospital it's .52 per hour.