Associates vs. Bachelors

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Ok, I have read through quite a few threads on associate degrees in nursing vs. bachelors degrees in nursing. I'm hoping someone can tell me if I'm thinking the correct thing, that the main difference is those who want to go into management should get a BSN.

Is that a correct way of thinking? I know both lead to a RN, but other than that I'm not too sure. Does a BSN have more nursing classes?

Specializes in med/surg, hospice.

After reading through these replies I agree with several other people that going the "BSN route" was best for me. This is a 2nd career for me, so I researched what would be the best option for someone that's been out of school for 20 years. When looking at the difference between a 2-year and a 4-year program, it really boils down to...they end up both being about 4 years. By the time you do your pre-reqs you've done 2 years, then your actual nursing classes are another 2 years. I did my pre-reqs at a community college (took 7 terms as I went through the summer) then was accepted at the school of nursing as a transfer student (I started during summer term with 18 other transfer students). I went straight through 2 summer terms then during the summer before my senior year I took one class and I got a job as a CNA.

I wasn't sure where my nursing career would lead me, still not sure if I want an advanced degree somewhere down the line, but I figured getting my BSN would allow me to do that without too much hassle.:yeah:

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How would a 2 year nursing program take 4 years? Unless you do it part time, it should take 2 years, including prerequs. That's how my mother became an RN. She did a 2 year associates program in 2 years.

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How would a 2 year nursing program take 4 years? Unless you do it part time, it should take 2 years, including prerequs. That's how my mother became an RN. She did a 2 year associates program in 2 years.

At my local community college, pre-reqs are about a year, then the program itself is two years. Add in the long waiting list, and it takes about four years for a two year degree.

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Specializes in med/surg, hospice.

"How would a 2 year nursing program take 4 years? Unless you do it part time, it should take 2 years, including prerequs. That's how my mother became an RN. She did a 2 year associates program in 2 years."

I had been out of school for 20 years so I pretty much had to start from scratch (except for the 2 writing classes I previously got credit for) so it took about 2 years for my prereqs. I figured I was going to be in school for 4 years anyway so I might as well get my BSN. I actually graduated from the community college with an AA then transferred to the nursing school for my BSN.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
How would a 2 year nursing program take 4 years? Unless you do it part time, it should take 2 years, including prerequs. That's how my mother became an RN. She did a 2 year associates program in 2 years.

I don't know if things have just changed over the years but there are 2 semesters of prerequisite classes before one can even enter the "2 year" nursing degree program. It really takes 3 years for an ADN.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular.

since pretty much everyone is telling about their bsn side...i will tell about my adn. where i live it is harder to get into bsn schools than adn schools, but the adn schools seem to have a better nclex passing rate than the bsn schools. for me...i didnt want to be on the wait list at the bsn schools, so it worked out for me. yes, the adn schools do take 3 years...but i only paid $6,000 compared to the $10-20-30,000 you may spend at a bsn school. plus, now i can get my bsn online part time, while i am working and making money. in the end it worked out really well for me, because now i get to go to my dream school to get my rn to bsn degree, that i would have never gotten into as a freshman. also, my job is going to pay my tuition, so i am getting everything for free. in the end, both sides have their ups and downs, and each person needs to get all the info and decide what is best for them! :)

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care; L&D.

There is also the matter of clinical skills upon graduation. Where I'm at, the ADN's have twice the clinical experience upon graduation than the BSN's. While we ADN's don't have to sit through research and theory, we do have to take classes the general ed requirements, and classes such as nutrition, life span development, pharmacology etc. It is true that the ADN's takes nearly as long as the BSN now due to the competitive nature of the admission process. However, in regards to clinical skills, when we get on the floor, we're pretty phenomenal. It really depends on the hospital and the DON where you're looking to work. I just graduated in May and have been offered two jobs so far, both of them with preference for ADN new grads.

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I'm confused why someone said it is harder to get into an Associates program for nursing than a Bachelor's program for nursing. I was under the impression it was exactly the opposite?

I am looking to apply to nursing school soon and am questioning which degree to go for. Again, why are associate programs 'harder' to get into, but BSN's are 'preferred' - ?

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Specializes in Ambulatory.

kslyr5 - When I first started taking prerequisite classes, I thought ADN programs were easier to get into than BSN programs. I applied to 5 ADN programs & 3 BSN programs. 3 of those ADN programs & all 3 BSN programs were point based. 2 ADN programs were lottery based. I was rejected by all 5 ADN programs & accepted into 2 BSN programs (the third BSN program haven't replied yet). Your situation might be different but in my case, I would say BSN programs were easier to get into.

I think part of this is because ADN programs have less prerequisites, which means more people can complete those classes sooner and apply. BSN programs have more prerequisites in general, which takes more time & might be harder, so it naturally reduces the amount of applicants. Perhaps some might feel that BSN programs are harder to get into, like you & I initially, so they don't even bother trying. When it comes to lottery based system, I was sort of in a "disadvantage" because my high science GPA did not increase my chances. But point based system from each school might be a little bit different so it's really hard to pin point the exact reason for this.

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kslyr5 - When I first started taking prerequisite classes, I thought ADN programs were easier to get into than BSN programs. I applied to 5 ADN programs & 3 BSN programs. 3 of those ADN programs & all 3 BSN programs were point based. 2 ADN programs were lottery based. I was rejected by all 5 ADN programs & accepted into 2 BSN programs (the third BSN program haven't replied yet). Your situation might be different but in my case, I would say BSN programs were easier to get into.

I think part of this is because ADN programs have less prerequisites, which means more people can complete those classes sooner and apply. BSN programs have more prerequisites in general, which takes more time & might be harder, so it naturally reduces the amount of applicants. Perhaps some might feel that BSN programs are harder to get into, like you & I initially, so they don't even bother trying. When it comes to lottery based system, I was sort of in a "disadvantage" because my high science GPA did not increase my chances. But point based system from each school might be a little bit different so it's really hard to pin point the exact reason for this.

That makes sense. I already have a Bachelor's degree from a state university, and even *I* was shying away from BSN programs, thinking I'd be more likely to get accepted to an ADN. So I can see how that kind of thinking would perpetuate and cause more people to shoot for ADN programs.

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Specializes in ICU-MICU & SICU.

Go where you get in. You're priority is to be an RN first. I personally got my Associates then my BSN. Don't dismiss ASN programs because most schools now have like a 1 year fast track to your BSN. It took 4 semesters to get my BSN. Plus it's easy to get admitted to a university after you get your RN license.

The main difference is a lot more general education courses you will have to take. Also in a BSN program they provide nursing theory, leadership, and community health. Those things do not exist in a Associate degree program.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, Heart Transplant.

As a nurse working in a big medical center in a 700 bed hospital, and with the shortage of new grad positions, 95% of the interns are bachelor degree prepared nurses. Unlike the recent past when nurses had their pick of where they want to go, it's not the same these days.

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