Difference between BSN and ADN

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Hello, I am a new nursing student. This is my first year in the program. I started at a technical college because I wanted to get my ADN until my mom sent me an article that employers prefer BSN over ADN. However, with my online research I am finding there isn't much difference. As a new nursing student nursing school is overwhelming and hit me like a ton of bricks. It is definitely the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I can't believe I still have 2 1/2 years left. Not only that I've realized as a first year nurse it doesn't get much easier. I transferred to a private school and had to a take a year of religion classes before getting into the program and my school debt is piling up. I am concerned that the BSN and ADN pay scale is so similar adding to my concern about paying off student loans. Also, what are there any incentives to BSN besides advanced practice? Do BSN's offer better patient care and patient outcomes? Will BSN give me more job options? Will have better hours? (as in not having to work third shift)

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

This may be helpful. It was developed for Tx, but is pretty much applicable to anywhere.... http://www.bon.texas.gov/about/pdfs/delc-2010.pdf

It defines the specific differences between ADN & BSN education.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Your ADN program offers complete and separate full semester classes in OB, Peds, ICU and community health? How about full, separate classes in research and management? Heck, we also had semester long courses in working with groups and working with the aging population. If you're doing all of these in an ADN program you're getting robbed of a higher degree.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Your ADN program offers complete and separate full semester classes in OB Peds, ICU and community health? How about full, separate classes in research and management? Heck, we also had semester long courses in working with groups and working with the aging population. If you're doing all of these in an ADN program you're getting robbed of a higher degree.[/quote']

Is agree with THIS. :yes:

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I'm in the ADN first, get the license, then get the BSN boat. Every single one of my ADN classes transfer over to the BSN program. I've never even heard of that not happening. Tech schools, maybe? Why wait four years to get the license when you can get it in two, and then spend the next two finishing the BSN? That is still four years, and all the classes you took for the ADN are going to be MUCH cheaper than they would be at a four year school. Doing it this way just made a lot more sense to me.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
I'm in the ADN first get the license, then get the BSN boat. Every single one of my ADN classes transfer over to the BSN program. I've never even heard of that not happening. Tech schools, maybe? Why wait four years to get the license when you can get it in two, and then spend the next two finishing the BSN? That is still four years, and all the classes you took for the ADN are going to be MUCH cheaper than they would be at a four year school. Doing it this way just made a lot more sense to me.[/quote'] None of the RN-BSN programs I know of put any sort of emphasis on classes transferring. If they did, how would diploma nurses become BSNs? If you have an RN license, they give you credit for a certain number of courses (around 30 credits) and you take the rest of the required credits by taking the set courses (research, leadership, community health, etc).

I know exactly what I'm "missing" in my ADN program, but it really doesn't bother me. I feel the education has me just as prepared for my first year duties as a BSN would (as in: completely lost haha) , and I'll have by BSN by my second year.

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None of the RN-BSN programs I know of put any sort of emphasis on classes transferring. If they did how would diploma nurses become BSNs? If you have an RN license, they give you credit for a certain number of courses (around 30 credits) and you take the rest of the required credits by taking the set courses (research, leadership, community health, etc). I know exactly what I'm "missing" in my ADN program, but it really doesn't bother me. I feel the education has me just as prepared for my first year duties as a BSN would (as in: completely lost haha) , and I'll have by BSN by my second year.[/quote']

Ah! Sorry, I thought I said ADN. A diploma program probably wouldn't transfer all credits, but a community college should is what I meant. I don't feel as though I'm missing anything major to be entry level (or, at least, I won't when I'm finished) and I'm going on for my BSN when I'm done anyway.

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Specializes in Public Health.

IF I could've gone straight into a BSN program, I would've. But four year schools require ALL previous transcripts. I don't have access to one school transcript because I don't have $10000 to pay the bill.

I go to a respected and renowned ADN program that provides FULL semesters in these classes because they are important. I do not feel robbed, I feel grateful that I am learning about these things now instead of later.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
IF I could've gone straight into a BSN program I would've. But four year schools require ALL previous transcripts. I don't have access to one school transcript because I don't have $10000 to pay the bill. I go to a respected and renowned ADN program that provides FULL semesters in these classes because they are important. I do not feel robbed, I feel grateful that I am learning about these things now instead of later.[/quote']

You may not feel robbed; but the point is this; MANY people who go through a ADN program the same length as a BSN program with the EXACT format depending on the area, and can't get a job with their BSN cohorts...I'm sure they are a percentage that feel "robbed"...at least somewhat... :blink:

I saw that there was NO difference in most of the nursing programs in my area; with the exception of some programs having Pathophysiology or externships built in-one local school calls it a co-op program; some have alternative sites; such as home health, critical access centers and homeless shelters in addition to acute care settings; otherwise they are teaching the same courses across the board with equal clinical hours. My area "prefers" BSNs, although most programs have brought their programs up to par for local area hospitals, and they can't get an opportunity to have some type of acute care experience, and in this market, may have to wait longer, or may have given up. I know there are ADNs that may feel robbed; and that's a reality; they have every right to feel that way if they do.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
Ah! Sorry, I thought I said ADN. A diploma program probably wouldn't transfer all credits, but a community college should is what I meant. I don't feel as though I'm missing anything major to be entry level (or, at least, I won't when I'm finished) and I'm going on for my BSN when I'm done anyway.

I think most community college (or even diploma) programs will somehow transfer-- but the classes earned at the technical, for-profit, and/or unaccredited programs, generally will not. It's all about figuring out what the transferability of a program is before making your plans.

I didn't get an ADN, but I did get an AA, and all of the classes I needed to get into the Jr/Sr year BSN programs were transferable to any state college (articulation agreements, I know many states have these). :)

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Specializes in Public Health.

That is my point though. Don't generalize because every school is different. I'm not arguing about the best choice because that is obviously the BSN but that is not an option for everyone.

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That is my point though. Don't generalize because every school is different. I'm not arguing about the best choice because that is obviously the BSN but that is not an option for everyone.

BSN might not be a viable option for everyone but it is in all reality better over ADN any day of the week. It makes you more competitive when searching for employment and it puts you closer to a masters degree. This is not even arguable.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Specializes in Public Health.

That is not what I'm saying. I know the BSN is more competitive. BUT not everyone has the option. I have a job waiting for me so that's a moot point.

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