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Discussion

Difference between ADN and BSN

I know this probably have been asked already, but I was just curious at the pay difference between a nurses with a ADN and BSN. How does the degree relate to what kind of work you do at your workplace?

Featured Replies

At our place there is no difference in salary or job description. Some places require a BSN to have an admin job, but not all do.

  • Experts

In most places, an RN is an RN. The time that it took to get it doesn't make any difference. You may see $0.25 more per hour, up to $1 in some parts of the country, but that is it. You do need a Bachelors, at least of some type, for most management positions. But as far as the bedside RN, essentially no difference.

Please, feel free to do a search on the site. This subject is very heatedly and hotly debated often. Good luck!

  • Author

So then why does schools offer RN to BSN programs? Is it for people who want to get into administration or want to get a Master or PhD?

So then why does schools offer RN to BSN programs? Is it for people who want to get into administration or want to get a Master or PhD?

yes. or people that just want a BS for whatever reason.

  • Experts
So then why does schools offer RN to BSN programs? Is it for people who want to get into administration or want to get a Master or PhD?

BSN programs offer community health/public health and management, and teach the care of more complex patients. Comparing programs, particularly from the same university, will show you the difference quite clearly.

  • Experts

As others have said ... there is usually no difference or very little difference in the salaries right out of school. Also, there is usually no or little salary difference as long as the nurse stays in a staff nurse role.

However ... nurses with BSN's and higher degrees have more career paths available to them, and they are not just management positions. Some community health jobs require a BSN or higher... jobs in infection control, patient education ... discharge planners ... staff education ... etc. often require a BSN or are at least "BSN preferred." Such jobs involve more indepedence and the need to evaluate the literature, evaluate programs, etc. and many people that the BSN better prepares nurses for those types of roles. Such jobs sometimes involve higher pay and/or better working conditions and can be quite competitive to get. So having that BSN plus good relevant clinical experience can be a key factor in who is selected.

llg

BSN programs offer community health/public health and management, and teach the care of more complex patients. Comparing programs, particularly from the same university, will show you the difference quite clearly.

Ummm...so does my ADN program. I just finished my Critcial Care rotation (complex health problems) and I am now doing my leadership/management classes and community health service learning projects.

Basically the difference is a 4 year collge degree and a 2 year associates.. The bachelor degree, on average, will give you greater financial rewards and career flexibility then the 2 year associates degree over your working career.

I am wondering about this also. I already have a B.S. in business management plus many years of experience. I think I am just going to go for ADN. I may pursue NP in the future after I work a few years. I do not know if you can go from an ADN to MSN in order to be a NP. Lots of things to find out!

Holly

  • Experts
Ummm...so does my ADN program. I just finished my Critcial Care rotation (complex health problems) and I am now doing my leadership/management classes and community health service learning projects.

If you're really getting a BSN education but only getting the ADN credential, what a shame! I would be angry that the school was not giving me the proper credit I had earned.

I certainly wouldn't want to invest all that time, effort, and money in doing the work if I was only going to have to repeat it in a BSN program to get the credit. What a waste of your resources!

llg

Ummm...so does my ADN program. I just finished my Critcial Care rotation (complex health problems) and I am now doing my leadership/management classes and community health service learning projects.

:deadhorse

Community Health Learning Projects does not equal a course in community health. If you decide to go get your RN-BSN, your community health project will not get you out of community health course. I plan on getting my BSN and I will need to take +- 20 Nursing Credits. So there are additional courses in the BSN program that are not available in the ADN program.

:deadhorse

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