Associates RN vs BSN

michele742 · Aug 28, 2011

Honestly, in terms of pay, it won't matter starting out. However, with an ADN you cannot move up, you have to have that BSN if you want to further your career in nursing. Also, I have heard that many hospitals are wanting their nurses to have a BSN or get it if they don't have it already.

Having said that, I am going into the ADN program first...then doing a bridge to BSN. Why? Because my husband is a professor and it's free...plain and simple (I would be a complete airhead if I didn't take advantage of that). They don't have a 4 yr nursing program but they do have a bridge option (which I will also take advantage of once I get that ADN).

Also ADN costs are less and at the school I will be attending the program takes exactly 16 months to complete. Make sure that while your in the ADN program that you are networking. I cannot tell you how important that is in the working world in general. A lot of times it's not 'what' you know it's 'who' you know, even if that is unfair it's the absolute truth.

Even so, if you have the means and time to do the BSN then that is your best bet if you want to move up in your career. If a department head has the opportunity to hire a nurse with a BSN or a nurse with an ADN, unless you know someone or have connections or stand out in some positive way, the BSN will win out every time.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2011

I haven't really seen a salary differential, but in some areas there is a strong preference for BSN grads now and with a surplus of new grads, it makes things very difficult for ADN nurses. I did an accelerated BSN program and do not regret it one bit.

If you find you live in an area where there isn't a strong preference for BSNs, that's one less thing to worry about when deciding which degree if best for you.

EDRN75 · Aug 28, 2011

I have BS in Biology, worked at a hospital that paid for my AAS education, but did not hire me because I did not have a BSN. Yeah, go figure!! No one cares what kind of degree you have. They only want a BSN. Lucky for me, I am in an area that readily hires ADN nurses, although the tide is slowly turning. I am currently in a RN-BSN bridge program and will have my BSN by next summer. I took the long (paid for) route, but, if you have options, go straight for the BSN.

mercurysmom · Aug 28, 2011

Is there a huge difference in salary, or marketability, or ability to land a job versus the two? I already hold a BS in communications, so after my prereqs would it be a better idea to just get an associates and start working, or to go all the way through and get another bachelors? Very much looking forward to hearing different opinions and experiences with this.
Thanks!
Derek

Hi Derek,

You didn't mention the focus of your communications degree, but have you looked into getting your MS and becoming a Speech Language Pathologist? Wherever I've worked, SLP's have been in high demand with a really good starting salary. Work situations vary from inpt. to clinics to radiology, schools, or private practice, infants to elderly. Median annual salary's $70K. ASHA has an info sheet about the field: http://www.asha.org/careers/professions/slp.htm I just mention this as I'm an RN working on my MSN, focusing on Public Health, specifically the needs of the Deaf community. Of course, it definitely depends on the focus of your previous degree and your future career goals. Congrats on your decision to continue your education, and I wish you the best. :)

mm

RFRN · Aug 29, 2011

Since you already have a bachelors, you should be able to find an accelerated BSN program. That is what I did and 15 months later = BSN. Some schools will even do a 12 months programs but they dont take any breaks. We at least had a week break between our 8 week semesters. But beware, working while doing an accelerated BSN program is extremely difficult even if its part time hours. I didnt work at all and still found it hard to get everything done.

Jennifer A · Aug 31, 2011

I have a BSc in Biology from about 5 years ago and finished my ADN and passed my NCLEX this past May. Do Not go for the ADN. There are no jobs in TX for ADNs now. I have been to 3 Nursing Job Fairs and Two interviews. I have walked up to units and physically handed my resumes. I got 3 additional certifications.

What are the recruiters and Unit mgrs saying. "We need at least 1 yr and prefer 2 yrs of experience. Please apply to our nursing intern program that begins in January." The internship requires a BSN to be considered. The recruiters said they have over 900 applicants for the January internship so far.... and ADNs dont even qualify ....even with a BS in a related field.

If already in an ADN program then transfer as soon as possible to a 4 yr program. Don't say anything to your friends, or classmates b/c Nursing schools are notorious for "getting students out".

nurseontheway · Sep 2, 2011

I was told by a Nurse that has 20 years of experience to not waste my time or money getting my BSN. My opinion is that in this day and age that you really do need it- most hospitals have achieved Magnet status and expect a BSN. I think that I will be really limited with my ADN in the long run....

IsmeAmanda, LPN · Sep 4, 2011

Wait, why does it matter if you have an Associates or a BSN? Both have to take the NCLEX-RN and pass it to show their competency, correct?

HazelLPN, LPN · Sep 4, 2011

I tell everyone to get their BSN if possible. It will NOT make you a better nurse than other routes into nursing, but it will give you the most options.

Best to you

Mrs H

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

Wait, why does it matter if you have an Associates or a BSN? Both have to take the NCLEX-RN and pass it to show their competency, correct?

It matters because the people who have the power to hire you have decided it matters. The reality of whether a BSN makes one a better nurse is pretty much irrelevant if you live in an area where the BSN is required. In those places, getting an ADN is just putting limits on yourself as to where you can practice. It seems more and more people who are getting their ADN are going straight to a RN bridge program, which really makes sense for people who want or need to get to work quickly. For those who have the luxury of time or money, it just makes better sense to go straight for the BSN.

ICU, RN, BSN, B.S. · Sep 15, 2011

I was told by a Nurse that has 20 years of experience to not waste my time or money getting my BSN. My opinion is that in this day and age that you really do need it- most hospitals have achieved Magnet status and expect a BSN. I think that I will be really limited with my ADN in the long run....

Very true..what you said,not what that nurse said. A lot of older nurses get annoyed, mad, ****** off, jealous, whatever you want to call it...when younger nurses have more education then them.

In Boston, a lot of the hospitals aren't hiring ADN nurses. I just transferred to a hospital in NH....Magnet status and they are not hiring ADN as well, even the nurses aides that have worked there are not getting hired bc they have their ADN and not BSN.

Go for the higher degree! You can pursue other degrees after, better education, more nursing classes in the cirriculum, looks better on your resume, gives you an edge over ADN nurses during job applications, and I think you are more qualified bc you have better critical thinking skills...and they have done studies on that too. I didn't just make that up!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!:D:D

HazelLPN, LPN · Sep 16, 2011

Very true..what you said,not what that nurse said. A lot of older nurses get annoyed, mad, ****** off, jealous, whatever you want to call it...when younger nurses have more education then them.
In Boston, a lot of the hospitals aren't hiring ADN nurses. I just transferred to a hospital in NH....Magnet status and they are not hiring ADN as well, even the nurses aides that have worked there are not getting hired bc they have their ADN and not BSN.
Go for the higher degree! You can pursue other degrees after, better education, more nursing classes in the cirriculum, looks better on your resume, gives you an edge over ADN nurses during job applications, and I think you are more qualified bc you have better critical thinking skills...and they have done studies on that too. I didn't just make that up!
GOOD LUCK!!!!!:D:D

I agree with part of your post, but part I must very politely and respectfully disagree with. I retired after 54 years in nursing two years ago. I am an LPN, but completed nearly all of my course work for my BSN back in late 80s before life got in the way and I droped out before my professional semester was to begin.

I am not jealous of a younger nurses education, because education continues throughout ones life. You must remember that informal education of experience, reading and learning on your own and obtaining primary information for oneself is a very powerful thing. In my own nursing practice, what I learned in school for my BSN pales in comparason to my many years of experience in the ICU as an LPN where I was fortunate to work with some brillant people and learned everything I could from them. As for studies being done on the superior critical thinking skills of a BSN, I find that these studies are often poorly designed and biased. Diploma nurses don't do research. They take care of patients.ASNs don't do research. They also take care of patients. Graduate students in MSN and PhD programs who have the BSN do the research. It would be against their professional interests to conduct a study suggesting that less formal pathways into nursing can produce good nurses because ultimately, they could be replaced with lower paid less formally educated nurses by greedy hospital administrators. Much of the time the student researcher knows the result of the study before the design is even complete. Even in the hard sciences bias in research is a problem...and I'm not just speaking as an old LPN, I'm also speaking as the wife of a physician, the mother of a nurse practioner and the proud grandmother of a PhD chemist.

I believe that the BSN should be the entry level in nursing now as it is good for the profession and the image of nursing as a respected profession, but I'm very quick to point out that the best teacher is experience and a lack of formal education can be compensated for with one's natural talent, one's desire to learn and read on their own, and of course one's experience that no amount of formal education can ever give to you.

Best to you,

Mrs H.