ADN vs BSN

[Cadeyl]

Is there really a difference between ADN and BSN nurses? Do you think that only BSN programs should be offered?

[mitchsmom]

See how crazy this is- I graduated from an AD program last May. My husband is in a BSN program right now. He will tell you in a heartbeat that he wishes he had gone to a AD program (which he got accepted also but chose the BS). He said it is all about paperwork whereas with the AD program, we are all about "hands on". I actually had to write his documentation for insertion of foley and IV because he didnt know how when he had to pass off on them. The BS program has a lot more paperwork than the AD and it is a lot about writing papers and that sort of thing.

And I am not at all putting down BS programs: This is from my husbands mouth who is in the BS program. I do think the BS programs prepare you better for boards than the the AD programs.

J:p :)

I think they do that because they are assuming that the BSN student may one day be interested in a role that would include more writing (management, advanced degree, advanced practitioner, etc.). But as far as I know the clinical hours are about the same, at least in my area.

And my BSN program's NCLEX rates are way worse than my local ADN's, but they all vary. I would advise to look up the rates for the individual school if that is a deciding factor.

[manna, BSN, RN]

I don't think you can reasonably make any broad assumptions about which type of programs are better - statements about whether ADN or BSN programs offer better prep for the NCLEX, or which type of programs offer more "hands on" training or more clinical hours are pointless arguments. In my opinion and most likely in reality, it varies from school to school (and area to area). The quality of education isn't standardized, and all nurses or students have to or have made the choice which was best for their own personal situation (whether that decision was based on educational reputation, financial or time restrictions, or any other factors).

My 2 cents. Lots of threads on this in the past, but newbies often don't know to search before asking. :)

[KacyLynnRN]

I am an LPN and currently an ASN student. I plan to do one of the ASN to BSN programs after I get my ASN next year, but not so much for my nursing career. If I decide to switch careers later in life (and something tells me with the nursing shortage getting worse every year, I might want to) it will be so much easier to do with a bachelor's under my belt. My sister has a bachelor's in psychology and wanted to be a teacher, she was able to finish an accelerated education degree program in 1 year because she already had her bachelor's degree in something. I would like to get my bachelor's degree just in case I want to do something else someday...

[SmilingBluEyes]

Here is a quote of NCLEX pass rates posted by NOADN (yes it is a pro-ADN association, but the rates are not made up). If you are interested have a look:

http://www.noadn.org/adn_facts.htm

you will see here how close the rates run, with BSN being number one by less than one percentage point. So generalizations about BSN or ADN or Diploma being "better" in NCLEX rates are just not too strong.