difference between associates and bachelors in nursing

kcochrane · Sep 11, 2013

As an RN to BSN student, I found, as others have mentioned, more theory and more management/leadership classes. We also had more on community nursing and a more detailed class on assessments. A lot of writing, presentations and group activies. My associates did not have a lot of liberal arts credits, so I still have to take a few of those before I have my BSN. In my area there really isn't much of a pay difference between ADNs and BSNs.

PMFB-RN, RN · Sep 12, 2013

I am not sure what the RN to BSN programs have become. I was a Diploma grad originally. I went back for my BSN in the Cal State System.
I had clinicals in public heath, clinicals in out patient areas, (I did mine in Cardiac Rehab),

*** My ADN program included similar clinical, BSN no clinical at all.

Pathophysiology, Chem 200 and 300, etc. These were NOT fluff classes.

*** Certainly not! Have you looked at RN to BSN programs? Classes like that are NOT part of the program.

I don't know where the idea has come from what BSN classes are just all fluff classes.

*** The idea come from the fact that they are pretty much fluff classes. The ADN curriculum has pretty much moved to be close to the BSN curriculum. All the clinical and science classes you took are no longer required in the BSN portion. ADNs have pretty much done them. It's why an RN with an Associates of science degree can earn their BSN in about 7 classes.

I assure you that Chem 200 and Chem 300, Pathophysiology, etc, were NOT fluff classes.

*** I am sure you are right. However they aren't part of an RN to BSN program either.

Is this what nursing has digressed to? If it is, that it is pitiful. You are not getting your moneys worth, that is for sure.

*** You are missing the facts. The facts are that by and large there is now very little difference between ADN and BSN and that is why RN to BSN programs are pretty much fluff.

But it sounds like the education has really detiorated in the years since I graduated. I would be upset also, if that was the case.

*** What is the evidence for that?

Nurses need to get out and make a stink about not being grandfathered in with ADNs, and Diplomas. No excuse. Pharmacists were grandfathered in when they went to a Masters, and then a Doctorate, and the classes were given on site, and paid for by the hospital.
Nurses need to demand the same consideration as them. Make a stink, and make it happen.

*** I agree but you are almost a lone voice in calling for grandfathering. I am convinced that the goal for many isn't really an all BSN staff nursing workforce. I think that for many the goal is to punish those who had the temerity to enter RN practice inexpensively through their local community college.

adnrnstudent, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2013

I am not sure what the RN to BSN programs have become.

An exercise in mindless paper writing.

Palliative Care, DNP · Sep 17, 2013

For my RN to BSN I did need chemistry and microbiology. I took A&P in my ADN program. I never had pathophysiology until graduate school. I have written countless papers and taken a lot of theory classes.

happyinillinois · Sep 18, 2013

The "catch " is for that price and timeframe, you must've completed all pre-rec's pertaining to the program. Pre-Rec's often include stats, bio/chemistry, religion if it is a private school, as well as other humanities. One RN-BSN online program in Texas makes you take the history of Texas! Chances are, there will be something else you made need to add to complete the program, and that will be extra and add extra time. Not really a scam, just something to consider.

PMFB-RN, RN · Sep 18, 2013

For my RN to BSN I did need chemistry and microbiology. I took A&P in my ADN program. I never had pathophysiology until graduate school. I have written countless papers and taken a lot of theory classes.

*** Nearly all ADN programs have required microbiology and chemistry for years.

PMFB-RN, RN · Sep 18, 2013

One RN-BSN online program in Texas makes you take the history of Texas!

*** My understanding is that ALL collges in Texas require History of Texas for all degree earners.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Sep 19, 2013

There is no difference from medical perspective. ADN and BSN nurses have the same instruction about pharmacology, diseases... The only difference is that BSN nurses indoctrinated more. For example BSN assigned to read more articles about gays and stuff. They are also more indoctrinated to believe as if RNs are the center of the health care system.

Spoken like a very bitter person who is ignorant of the points of discussion, yet feels free to discuss them anyway. And expose a biased personal agenda.

To kswenson: Barring the ignorant statement I quoted, you've received some good information. I think I only need to offer that if you are considering both types of programs, you should consider where you might want to work in the future (what areas of nursing, what areas of the country) and whether you wish to remain at bedside or go into supervisory or management positions. It is becoming increasingly common to see "BSN preferred" or "BSN required" on job advertisements, so you might want to consider that before making a decision.

I wish you well!

soxgirl2008 · Sep 24, 2013

There is very little difference between my ADN program and the local BSN programs. I had to take chemistry, A&P 1 and 2, micro, psych, sociology, etc just like the BSN students. It's true that the ADN is rarely a 2 year degree anymore. My clinicals are 2 years, my ADN pre-reqs were about a year and a half. My friend is in a BSN program. 2 years of clinicals, and 2 years of pre-reqs. We have learned all the same things in our clinical, but they have gone over research and nursing theories in more detail than we have (Though we have touched on them) They also go over public health nursing and community health nursing in a little more detail.

I took foreign language, history, arts, etc through a 4 year university awhile ago. When I go back there for my RN-BSN I will only need 4 classes for my BSN, and they are classes that have been covered in my ADN curriculum, just not as in depth. I hate that the ADN is still considered a '2 year degree' because I do not know of any ADN program that only takes 2 years. Nearly all of them have 2 years of clinicals like the BSN programs and a year to a year and a half of pre-reqs.

lindarn · Sep 24, 2013

I took A&P I and II, Microbiology, Psych, regular and child psych, Sociology, Chem 100, in my DIPLOMA PROGRAM in the 1970's. I thought that those classes were in ALL programs, regardless of were they were taught. We were affiliated with a regular college, and took these classes at St. Francis College, so we had actual college credit for some of our classes when we graduated.

We took these classes, CONCURRENTLY, with our Diploma classes (Nursing Fundamentals, Med Surg I, II, III, Psych, OB and Peds, over two calendar years. And our science classes ALL HAD LABS! I have no idea why these classes are now, "pre-requisites", to get accepted into even an ADN program.

We had nursing classes, college classes at St. Francis College, and CLINICAL TWICE A WEEK, in my Diploma program. We managed to get everything into one week, every week.

We went to school for two calendar years, did not have summers off, just a two week break in between Winter and Spring intercession in January.

I am at a loss, as to how the nursing programs are put together now. It makes no sense. It is no wonder that there is so much discontent, among present and future nursing students.

JMHO and my NY $0.02

lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

MrChicagoRN, RN · Sep 25, 2013

There is no difference from medical perspective. ADN and BSN nurses have the same instruction about pharmacology, diseases... The only difference is that BSN nurses indoctrinated more. For example BSN assigned to read more articles about gays and stuff. They are also more indoctrinated to believe as if RNs are the center of the health care system.

Are you making this assertion from actually going through a BSN program?

Well, Off to read more articles about...stuff. :sarcastic:

caddywompus · Oct 19, 2013

There is much more of a focus on management in an RN-BSN program. Issues like staffing, costs, conflict, etc are covered. There is a lot of paper writing. Opinions vary on the importance of all that writing. I'm not big on it, but I can see its value in education. Clearly, there are some trolls on this thread.