BDN vs BSN?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 20, 2018

Never heard of BDN. What does it stand for? What school?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 20, 2018

Bachelors Degree in Nursing, maybe? I'm puzzled too! Never heard of it referred to as a "BDN," though I have heard "ASN" and "ADN" used interchangeably.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 20, 2018

Okay, I exercised my Google-fu and found this: BDN - Nightingale College

I am amazed at the cost of this program: https://nightingale.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/COA_BDN.pdf

Wow. OP, do you have $100K+ just laying around? How are you paying for this?

Edited to add: just going to leave this NCLEX pass rate information here: https://dopl.utah.gov/licensing/forms/nurse_NCLEX_pass_rates_RN.pdf

Aliens05, ASN · Nov 20, 2018

I think Pixie posted all the information you need to make your decision if indeed that is the college you are trying for if it were me I would greatly reconsider. When I was looking at school options I wouldn't look at any college that had under about a 92-95% pass rate year after year. You want to find a school with consistently good pass rates. Also, my degree for my RN was only 18k and I took max loans both sub and unsub. Granted its only a ASN, but....

Morgansamantha · Nov 20, 2018

I don't have 100k laying around and it isn't going to cost that much. It will cost me 25k. Yes still pricey but not that much. I understand that their NCLEX pass rates aren't the greatest. I spent my first two years at university caught up in "partying" which greatly affected my grades. I went to a technical school for my LPN and was a 4.0 student. I have no options to continue my education except for these very pricey schools. I dug this grave unfortunately. But I have no greater desire than to be a Registered Nurse.

Morgansamantha · Nov 20, 2018

If I had the grades to get into that type of school I would (: but I don't. So I got to do what I got to do.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 20, 2018

I don't have 100k laying around and it isn't going to cost that much. It will cost me 25k. Yes still pricey but not that much. I understand that their NCLEX pass rates aren't the greatest. I spent my first two years at university caught up in "partying" which greatly affected my grades. I went to a technical school for my LPN and was a 4.0 student. I have no options to continue my education except for these very pricey schools. I dug this grave unfortunately. But I have no greater desire than to be a Registered Nurse.

Awww, don't beat yourself up so much! $25K is a lot better than $100K (like $75K better, haha). The risk with those NCLEX pass rates is the potential for any school losing accreditation, because that is a huge factor in maintaining accreditation. All good questions for your enrollment team.

I am still not sure about the BDN vs BSN, in some places they seem to use it interchangeably, and then other places not so much. I would definitely clarify with the school, though.

Morgansamantha · Nov 20, 2018

I appreciate the sweet reply. I haven't yet enrolled and have been doing my due diligence before starting. I have had conversations with the school after posting this. They say its the same thing as a BSN they just use it interchangeably. There statistics are over 3 different states.

I worry about them using accreditation as well. Their overall NCLEX pass rate (not first time) is 80% but that not just for Utah. Does accreditation look at overall or first time pass rate? haha if you know.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 20, 2018

I appreciate the sweet reply. I haven't yet enrolled and have been doing my due diligence before starting. I have had conversations with the school after posting this. They say its the same thing as a BSN they just use it interchangeably. There statistics are over 3 different states.
I worry about them using accreditation as well. Their overall NCLEX pass rate (not first time) is 80% but that not just for Utah. Does accreditation look at overall or first time pass rate? haha if you know.

Because ACEN has them in a warning status due to the pass rates, I would guess it's the first-time pass rate. There is information on this page, almost all the way at the bottom: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing – ACEN Commission Actions – Spring 2

Morgansamantha · Nov 20, 2018

I appreciate this information! Thanks!

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 20, 2018

Have you looked at Online College - Western Governors University - WGU -they have prelicensure nursing in Utah. And I think their 1st time pass rate is 100% for the past few years.