Difference between BSN and ADN

[SaraStevenson]

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)

[Marsha238612]

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.

Well good for you :) But my mere purpose was to answer the OPs question about the difference between an ADN and a BSN. After all this is what we are in this thread. I was not talking about YOUR employment status because I didn't inquire about it in the first place.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

Ok. "Just writing this so the message will be long enough" lol

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

People definitely should take whatever road makes sense for them. I hope that those in ADN programs taking BSN level classes, at the very least, can transfer those classes if they bridge.

I don't know how true this is, but I've been told ADN programs often don't have a semester long, comprehensive health assessment course... for my program, that was one of the hardest, most intense courses we've had.. we spent three hours a week in lecture, and another 6.5 in lab for 16 weeks for that class.