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 ) 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?"......
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
To the OP -- What confuses me is that the declaration "bsn programs are harder than adn programs" seems to be based on a conversation you had with a few of your friends. If that assumption is incorrect please let us know what other research you did to support that conclusion.
Harder is a relative term. And it can be applied in different ways in this situation. Do you mean harder, as in you put in more work? Sure, as you said, you may have to write more papers for a BSN or have supplemental classwork that an ADN program may not have. However, imagine that what you're learning is being compacted into 2 years. The nursing skills and knowledge you need to pass the NCLEX over a period of 4 years in a BSN program is being shortened to 2 years for the ADN program. This can also be considered harder, relative to the BSN program. You're learning more information in a shorter period of time. At the end of the program, you will be taking the same exam and be licensed nurses when you pass. Why does it matter which program is more difficult anyways? I fail to see why the difficulty of the program is such a big deal. Your friends will have difficulties in their program, and you will face your own challenges. It doesn't matter which program is more difficult.
When you created an entire thread on your superior degree. When you maintain that you somehow deserve a higher starting salary out of school vs. your ADN peers. Like I said in my last post, I have no choice but to get my ADN first, then do my BSN with employer reimbursement. It became financially impossible for me to complete my BS in Psychology, which was what I was going to use to get into an Accelerated BSN program. That didn't end up working for me. Life happens to some of us. I'm sorry you think I deserve less of a starting salary because I "just" learned the same core nursing skills that will make us nurses.
Believe me, this attitude will translate pretty clearly to your future coworkers.
And not that I have to defend myself or because it's any of your business, but I am in the top ADN program of my state. It's rigorous. If I didn't have the 40 credits transferred from my previous university, I would be in theory classes right alongside you! I ALREADY wrote my papers. I got a lot of it over with at another institution, but I still have to meet my language requirement (I'll be fluent in Spanish when I finish the requirement), take some more elective credit (I'm taking some health psych that wasn't offered at my university), finish up my algebra and chemistry requirements before I can take A&P I & II, take medical microbiology I & II, and WORK 40+ hours/week as a CNA and squeeze in time for my hospital volunteer work, and STILL learn the same exact practical core nursing skills you have to learn.
I read that you think it's 60-something credits for ADN programs? Not mine! That just about covers the Pre-Nursing courses here, then you have all of the core nursing classes to get through. Since we're playing that game, I'm probably working harder than you are. So because I probably get to take the NCLEX before you, I should earn less? Based on...your observations (muddied up by your personal biases) and conversations with a few friends at your local CC? Maybe your friends are not working very hard, but if you've learned anything in those "other" classes you keep telling us about, you would know that's just a bunch of confirmation bias and not enough to generate an overall opinion on every single ADN program offered in the US. So...That's why you think someone who works as hard as I do should earn less than you--because I'll be working as an RN while earning my BSN, but you had to write some papers first? Well, the way I see it, I get to work with real patients first and isn't that why we're becoming nurses in the first place?
I'm not upset in the least. I am just baffled that you would come here to start this thread and basically stir things up. We all have different paths to take in life, one not being better than the other. I'm guessing you are young and don't know any better. That one of your friends got mad at you and you thought you would come in here to hear you were right. Well, you are not. The fact is what you said was wrong and you are being called on it.
I don't care if my nurse has a BSN or ADN as long as they get the job done.
To the OP -- What confu sopme is that the declaration "bsn programs are harder than adn programs" seems to be based on a conversation you had with a few of your friends. If that assumption is incorrect please let us know what other research you did to support that conclusion.
I guess I missed that point. When did I "declare", that bsn is harder? Its comical some of the same people on here are upset about someone else's opinion (mine). Yet, claim to have received so much more "education", but are upset in the difference of opinions?
I'm not upset in the least. I am just baffled that you would come here to start this thread and basically stir things up. We all have different paths to take in life, one not being better than the other. I'm guessing you are young and don't know any better. That one of your friends got mad at you and you thought you would come in here to hear you were right. Well, you are not. The fact is what you said was wrong and you are being called on it.
I don't care if my nurse has a BSN or ADN as long as they get the job done.
I too have a story. We all do.
I will stand by what I believe to be true. I can do this without taking personal offense unlike others.
One would think the benefits of attaining a higher level degree would allow them to make more money. Granted some professions are not lucky enough, and are not paid for their services. Teachers for example.
If we all should make the same amount of money regardless of degree/profession, what is the purpose of attaining higher education?
Does that mean, I think, or someone else thinks they are better than someone else with less education? Absolutely not. Yes some people attain higher degrees for personal reasons. Others do it because its required of them, the rest do it to further themselves and so on.
For those who went the adn route, it's nothing to be bitter about, or upset. It doesn't make you less than. I know you too had to make sacrifices, study, take extra classes, etc.
My original post was about the difficulty of studying for nursing core classes in addition to the 3 or 4 theory classes tacked on each semester. So my statement of the bsn being harder is how I feel. Maybe I should have said more time consuming for the ones are offended.
I guess I missed that point. When did I "declare", that bsn is harder? Its comical some of the same people on here are upset about someone else's opinion (mine). Yet, claim to have received so much more "education", but are upset in the difference of opinions?
Your could be interpreted as a declarative statement; I am sure if you had a question mark behind your statement, it could've been interpreted differently.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I guess I missed that point. When did I "declare", that bsn is harder?
When you titled your thread: "Bsn programs are harder than adn".
Its comical some of the same people on here are upset about someone else's opinion (mine). Yet, claim to have received so much more "education", but are upset in the difference of opinions?
I'm not upset. I made no claims about my education. I just asked you how you arrived at your statement (a declaration is just another name for asserting that something is true).
When you created an entire thread on your superior degree. When you maintain that you somehow deserve a higher starting salary out of school vs. your ADN peers. Like I said in my last post, I have no choice but to get my ADN first, then do my BSN with employer reimbursement. It became financially impossible for me to complete my BS in Psychology, which was what I was going to use to get into an accelerated BSN program. That didn't end up working for me. Life happens to some of us. I'm sorry you think I deserve less of a starting salary because I "just" learned the same core nursing skills that will make us nurses.
Believe me, this attitude will translate pretty clearly to your future coworkers.
And not that I have to defend myself or because it's any of your business, but I am in the top ADN program of my state. It's rigorous. If I didn't have the 40 credits transferred from my previous university, I would be in theory classes right alongside you! I ALREADY wrote my papers. I got a lot of it over with at another institution, but I still have to meet my language requirement (I'll be fluent in Spanish when I finish the requirement), take some more elective credit (I'm taking some health psych that wasn't offered at my university), finish up my algebra and chemistry requirements before I can take A&P I & II, take medical microbiology I & II, and WORK 40+ hours/week as a CNA and squeeze in time for my hospital volunteer work, and STILL learn the same exact practical core nursing skills you have to learn.
I read that you think it's 60-something credits for ADN programs? Not mine! That just about covers the Pre-Nursing courses here, then you have all of the core nursing classes to get through. Since we're playing that game, I'm probably working harder than you are. So because I probably get to take the NCLEX before you, I should earn less? Based on...your observations (muddied up by your personal biases) and conversations with a few friends at your local CC? Maybe your friends are not working very hard, but if you've learned anything in those "other" classes you keep telling us about, you would know that's just a bunch of confirmation bias and not enough to generate an overall opinion on every single ADN program offered in the US. So...That's why you think someone who works as hard as I do should earn less than you--because I'll be working as an RN while earning my BSN, but you had to write some papers first? Well, the way I see it, I get to work with real patients first and isn't that why we're becoming nurses in the first place?
Where did I say my opinion was factual about all adn programs being a certain way across the U.S.? I stated my opinion about what I experienced. What my friends and coworkers are experiencing.
Yet, you go on and on about your struggles. I can empathize with you having to work and go to school. I'm living it. There is nothing wrong with the route you took. You had to do what was best for you. I never called you or ANYONE on this board stupid, dumb, less than. I have no reason to. I never implied it.
When you titled your thread: "Bsn programs are harder than adn".
I'm not upset. I made no claims about my education. I just asked you how you arrived at your statement (a declaration is just another name for asserting that something is true).
Thats how I feel. Not my neighbor, church member, mom, or dad. If you don't feel that way, its okay.
Some people in my ADN program have coreq theory classes in addition to the core classes. I just chose to get mine done before entering the program. That was a choice I made. I am not bitter in the least. I made the right decision for me.
By the way, you will only start at maybe one dollar more than me am hour if you are lucky. At some hospitals the pay difference is a mere 25 cents. That's it. Plus, my ADN program is the best in my state and highly recognized. Therefore, we get the best clinical choices and my campus has one of the best sim labs in the country. Most BSN programs cannot offer what my program does. I did my homework before applying.
My point is your name badge will say RN, just like mine. We will hold the exact same license. One is not better than the other at all. A couple of extra papers and fluff classes means nothing.
) I just feel that BSN programs are harder.
nursel56
7,122 Posts
To the OP -- What confuses me is that the declaration "bsn programs are harder than adn programs" seems to be based on a conversation you had with a few of your friends. If that assumption is incorrect please let us know what other research you did to support that conclusion.