BSN programs are harder than ADN

Nursing Students General Students

Updated:   Published

Hi all,

I have friends who are both in traditional ADN and BSN nursing programs. The question came up about "which program is harder". As I told my friends who are in ADN programs (who I hope are still my friends :sorry:) I just feel that BSN programs are harder.

Why? I totally understand that both programs have students who may hold a previous degree, worked in the medical field (or not), volunteer experience and so on. I also understand that academically, both groups of students will have their own strengths and weaknesses.

I know that ADN and BSN program admission criteria can be different depending upon city/state/area. I am well aware both programs have clinicals, Care Plans/concept maps, exams, tests, quizzes, ATI/HESI questions/prep that have to be completed/passed etc. Both groups sit for the same state boards.

HOWEVER: The amount of papers, projects, presentations, and research BSN programs are REQUIRED to do, goes well beyond what is required out of an ADN program. Just think about it. In the ADN program, you might have a paper or assignment on "professional ethics". Yeah ummmmm, but a BSN program will have that same topic, as a course for an entire semester.

NO: I am not saying BSN graduates are smarter than ADN/diploma. Yes, I understand the additional classes are the difference between the two. I don't mean to offend anybody, but I just can't help but feel this way......

When my friends who are in ADN programs complain about "how hard" and "how much work", they have to do, I assure them things will be okay. While on the inside I really want to say "Is it really?"......

Does anyone else feel this way?

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I used the ethics class as an example. I could have easily posted a list of all the other theory classes that are required from my program that are to be completed alongside the nursing core classes.

No elitism here. However, my dad has always told me, "The more you know, the more you are worth". So much for that. Upon graduation, I will make the same as someone who holds the same license as me, but with less "nursing/theory" education.

But you are talking elitism...you already stated that you will be making the same amount as the ADN and that makes you angry because you are "better"
Even worse, to be paid the same amount as a new grad who came from an adn program, I think is not fair.

I ONLY say this because I feel that if a person goes to school longer, and earns a higher degree, should be paid more regardless of the profession.

Can you see how this makes your friends upset that you feel you are better than them? How would you feel if the direct entry MSN feels you are an inferior nurse and should be paid less for doing the same job?

Not necessarily...in the job market today facilities are hiring BSN new grads only...YOU will be the one with the job and will be considered over the ADN.

, I will make the same as someone who holds the same license as me, but with less "nursing/theory" education.
The "nursing" part of the education in the BSN program is not necessarily superior to the ADN program. YEARS Ago I went to an ASN program that was very rigorous...so much in fact it is now that college's ABSN program. So it isn't always appropriate to use the same paint brush for every paint can.

Yes it will take you longer. Yes you have more "busy" college work in non nursing college courses. Yes you paid more for your education. Does that make an ADN nurse automatically inferior? Uhm...no. Does it make you ahve a more rounded education that is applicable to the profession and life? Yes. But at the end of the day when you graduate you are a new grad...just like every other new grad. Will you get a position over the ADN? Probably.

Does that make the ADN inferior...I am not so sure.

Keep your eyes on the prize.... graduation. Enjoy your friends. You choose your path they choose theirs. Be a good friend and support them as you wnat them to support you. This line of conversation will only hurt your friends.

At the end of the day...does it really matter?

By the way...LPN school isn't less or inferior....LPN's are needed and necessary. It is different from the RN but no less important.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I would have went to an associate program too if that was the only one that accepted me. If I could do it all over again, I would have applied to the adn programs. I got caught up in the "bsn is better", that was constantly heard from the nurses on my unit.

((HUGS)) Honey...please...don't regret your choices. TRUST ME! The BSN will be the better path in the long run. I am going to assume you are young-ish. I was an ASN grad back in 1980. Diploma schools were closing the BSN was and NP degree at the time. I later got my BSN. The writing is on the wall. My daughter wants to be a nurse and although she was accepted to ADN programs I advised her to get the BSN now before life gets n the way. It is the future whether or not is it better time will tell. But if you want longevity and you want to get a job out of school you will be the one with the advantage and IMHO the one who made the better choice given the job climate and the future of nursing.

Your friends WILL have to get their BSN...it is a given. Consider yourself ahead of the game.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure why you're assuming that you're more or better educated than some ADN nurses. Do you really think you know more than say, an RN with an ADN and BS in biology? You really don't know what your coworkers know and don't know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What are you going to do when your charge nurse is an ADN graduate and making more than you because he/she gets to charge. And how do you know that the ADN trained nurse isn't doing an RN to BSN program now. Maybe for them and their situation (like me) it was the route they had to take. And to be told that my program isn't hard because it's just an ADN program is ridiculous!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As I said before, there is more nursing theory work in a bsn program over an adn program. This is why associate degree programs, regardless of the major require a minimum of 60 something credit hours. A bachelors will require a minimum of 120 credit hours. We can all agree to that. This makes the degrees different. This is why the rn to bsn can be completed completely online.

Me being able to write a 10 page paper in apa will not help me at the beside when my patient is going bad. Having to take time AWAY from core nursing classes that we ALL have to take to do the research, DOES take away time. Regardless how you classify or categorize it, the work HAS to be done. Hard, difficult, easy is all subjective. Quality work DOES take time to complete.

Elitism? Not at all. Why is it in other professions the higher the degree, the more money a person makes is okay? Why is that an issue with nursing?

Maybe the nclex should be changed to reflect this?

Maybe adn should be the entry level into the profession. Maybe msn?

We all know having a degree, does not equate to intelligence or being smarter than someone else. However, when a person who has put in more time (credit hours) spent more money, is paid the same amount as someone who has done less, it does sting. Doesn't make me angry, more like a punch in the gut.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not sure why you're assuming that you're more or better educated than some ADN nurses. Do you really think you know more than say, an RN with an ADN and BS in biology? You really don't know what your coworkers know and don't know.

When did I say I was smarter?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Just FYI? There are people who have bachelors and masters that don't necessarily "make money"; teaching and social work come to mind.

Also, MSN as an entry degree? Uh-NO, that won't help-that is the entry degree for advance practice and should stay that way, I'm personally not a fan of a MSN degree that does not have a focus; doesn't make sense.

I agree with Esme's points; run your own race, and all the education and connection to practice will follow, including clinical ladder opportunities will help as well with the BSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.
As I said before, there is more nursing theory work in a bsn program over an adn program. This is why associate degree programs, regardless of the major require a minimum of 60 something credit hours. A bachelors will require a minimum of 120 credit hours. We can all agree to that. This makes the degrees different. This is why the rn to bsn can be completed completely online.

Elitism? Not at all. Why is it in other professions the higher the degree, the more money a person makes is okay? Why is that an issue with nursing?

Maybe adn should be the entry level into the profession. Maybe msn?

We all know having a degree, does not equate to intelligence or being smarter than someone else. However, when a person who has put in more time (credit hours) spent more money, is paid the same amount as someone who has done less, it does sting. Doesn't make me angry, more like a punch in the gut.

Just can't leave this topic alone. But I did want to pass some information along that I found out after reading your post. At the time I didn't care how many credit hours I took during school, I just took the classes I needed to graduate and a few that would set me up for my BSN.

For my program we were required to complete 67.5 hour to graduate and sit for the NCLEX. To get into the program though we had to have 27 hours of pre requisites that included math, science, psych, and nutrition courses. I also took 6 extra credit hours that I figured I would need for my BSN. So I graduated with 100.5 credit hours. My question is, for the BSN program do they include the prerequisites in the 120 credit hour tally? If they do then the differences in credit hours are not nearly as big as you may think. I would really like to know about this.

Also, it is true that not everyone with a higher degree earns more. My wife has a masters degree in elementary education, has worked at the same school for 10 years, and she is mad because I will nearly make twice what she makes as a new nurse with no experience. I plan on getting her a big diamond ring that we never had the money for when we got married, she will get over it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just FYI? There are people who have bachelors and masters that don't necessarily "make money"; teaching and social work come to mind.

Also, MSN as an entry degree? Uh-NO, that won't help-that is the entry degree for advance practice and should stay that way, I'm personally not a fan of a MSN degree that does not have a focus; doesn't make sense.

I agree with Esme's points; run your own race, and all the education and connection to practice will follow, including clinical ladder opportunities will help as well with the BSN.

Unfortunately educators and social workers are severely underpaid. I agree with you 10000000%.

I am happy to have been accepted into my program. I'm told all the time I'm doing the right thing by getting the bsn. I'm just gonna finish up & keep doing the best I can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Just can't leave this topic alone. But I did want to pass some information along that I found out after reading your post. At the time I didn't care how many credit hours I took during school, I just took the classes I needed to graduate and a few that would set me up for my BSN.

For my program we were required to complete 67.5 hour to graduate and sit for the NCLEX. To get into the program though we had to have 27 hours of pre requisites that included math, science, psych, and nutrition courses. I also took 6 extra credit hours that I figured I would need for my BSN. So I graduated with 100.5 credit hours. My question is, for the BSN program do they include the prerequisites in the 120 credit hour tally? If they do then the differences in credit hours are not nearly as big as you may think. I would really like to know about this.

The pre-req's are included in the 120 credit hour tally. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.
The pre-req's are included in the 120 credit hour tally. :yes:

So we are talking about 1.5 full time semesters of full time credit hours. It took me 3 years to gain my ADN, that is with going full time during the summer as well. I really don't see a big difference anymore. maybe we should rethink the original argument. Three years of schooling and it only cost me a little under 4000.00 out of pocket. I think I got a good deal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
So we are talking about 1.5 full time semesters of full time credit hours. It took me 3 years to gain my ADN, that is with going full time during the summer as well. I really don't see a big difference anymore. maybe we should rethink the original argument. Three years of schooling and it only cost me a little under 4000.00 out of pocket. I think I got a good deal.

In my area, the CC did not include summers for the ADN, so in essence, it would be four years; It ends up being the same amount if time for the ADN and BSN, unless the program had preceptorships built in.

The CC credits are just as expensive as the four year colleges; in essence, paying 10 grand more for a BSN was money I would have to spend if I decided to go for an ADN, for me, it didn't make sense, including not having the flexibility to find a job1my area is BSN-preferred,

It was certainly worth the money to get the BSN. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment