advantages of BSN vs. ADN

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi, considering that I am very new to all of this, I would appreciate any imput from you all. I am just entering my first semester of an ADN program, and would like to go on to the RN to BSN available at the same college. I still am unsure of the advantages of having the BSN vs. the ADN. Is there a difference in pay? and...exactly what opportunities would I gain from having the BSN...what could it lead to as far as positions? Thanks for the help with this...I have soooo much to learn...but I am willing :)

Katie

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Please do a search of this website. There are all kinds of opinions on this matter, some very heated.

Briefly, the ADN and the BSN nurse both start out fairly equally in the workforce, making similar salaries. Both are RNs passing the same NCLEX. The advantage of the BSN comes later with experience. There are job opportunities that require a BSN such as in administration, teaching, insurance, public health, etc.

But you won't notice a big difference fresh out of school.

Go for the BSN!

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Please do a search of this website. There are all kinds of opinions on this matter, some very heated.

Briefly, the ADN and the BSN nurse both start on fairly equally in the workforce, making similar salaries. Both are RNs passing the same NCLEX. The advantage of the BSN comes later with experience. There are job opportunities that require a BSN such as in administration, teaching, insurance, public health, etc.

But you won't notice a big difference fresh out of school.

Go for the BSN!

Thank you for the advice...I will, but it may take a while.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Welcome to the boards, Katie. We are glad to have you.

Tweety is right; this has been discussed extensively. No one here means to blow you off or hurt your feelings. This is just a HUGELY controversial topic that has "been done to death" here before......it does get quite heated. That is why you will probably not get a lot of people answering here.

Here are a couple threads to dig your teeth into and decide for yourself what is best. I did a lot of the "homework" for you, to save you time and help you out as a new member:

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85796&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75818&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73505&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69728&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55969&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68879&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38007&highlight=bsn+debate

There now you can see this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are SO many threads on this. You may feel free to peruse these and then I encourage you to decide for yourself what would be of most benefit to your career plans. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

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Welcome to the boards, Katie. We are glad to have you.

Tweety is right; this has been discussed extensively. No one here means to blow you off or hurt your feelings. This is just a HUGELY controversial topic that has "been done to death" here before......it does get quite heated. That is why you will probably not get a lot of people answering here.

Here are a couple threads to dig your teeth into and decide for yourself what is best. I did a lot of the "homework" for you, to save you time and help you out as a new member:

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85796&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75818&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73505&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69728&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55969&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68879&highlight=bsn+debate

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38007&highlight=bsn+debate

There now you can see this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are SO many threads on this. You may feel free to peruse these and then I encourage you to decide for yourself what would be of most benefit to your career plans. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

Thank you so much!! I will read these, and hopefully get a better knowledge of what to expect.

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According to my chemistry professor, ADNs are more likely to kill a patient than BSNs...so I guess my patients are in BIG trouble :chuckle

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

your chem professor...hmmmm that is a reallllllllllllly credible source. What does he/she say of LPNs then???? rofl.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

:) Welcome katiebug, and tmiller too right you are one funny nurse!:rotfl:

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your chem professor...hmmmm that is a reallllllllllllly credible source. What does he/she say of LPNs then???? rofl.

Well, he seems to think we're all going to kill someone. If you don't understand how to identify a cyclohexene molecule or to describe an oxidation chemical reaction, that this is imperitive to know as a nurse and if you don't you WILL kill people. He'd say that over and over.

He never mentioned LPNs, but my other nursing instructors lumped them in with "unlicensed" personnel...one of them also yelled at a student who mentioned going to Med school after getting her BSN, kind of an uptight bunch.

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Specializes in ER.
According to my chemistry professor, ADNs are more likely to kill a patient than BSNs...so I guess my patients are in BIG trouble :chuckle

I heard the too from a college recruiter. She also had a very insulting attitude about me "only" going part time so that I can spend time with my kids while they are little. This only made me decide that this was not a college that I would consider when I go for RN to BSN. So interesting that nurses do not appreciate a "look down their nose" from a doctor yet we will critic those that chose an ADN over BSN. Just something to think about:)

Tracy

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

Actually, the guy may have seen this:

Study: Nurses' Education Affects Death Rates

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=87225

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I graduated from a diploma program so I have more credits than an ADN but I dont have a BSN. Personally, I dont think it makes any difference for every day practice. I did an externship at a level 1 Trauma teaching hospital plus had much more clinical in school than BSN's get so i found it to be an excellent education.

I'm going for my BSN now. Honestly, I could give a crap less about all the gay, useless courses I'll have to take to get my BSN (statistics, nursing "management" etc) They are a waste of time for actual practice. I will enjoy taking pathophysiology although in a diploma program you unofficially cover pathophysiology during your nursing courses.

The only reason I'm getting my BSN is so I have the option of attending CRNA or Acute Care Practioner school. The other reasons you may want your BSN is if you want to be a nurse manager(never!) or possibly work in a position that requires a bachelor's degree such as working for a biomed or pharmaceutical company when you get sick of bedside nursing :kiss

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