Difference between BSN and RN

Scrubs911 · Oct 31, 2009

There's a whole forum with over 400 threads on the subject. I'm sure you'll find loads of info if you do a search or read a sticky in that area. I hope the link works:

https://allnurses.com/registered-nurses-diploma/

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

Short version: All BSNs are RNs, but not all RNs are BSNs

RN is registered nurse. You can get there via a diploma program, an associates degree (ADN) program or a bachelors degree (BSN) program.

A BSN RN is just an RN with a bachelor's degree--basically, they have the most schooling and it (usually) takes the longest to achieve. Whether it makes an actual difference in nursing practice is very debatable, as over 400 additional threads will attest to But for the most part, having a BSN is seen as a plus...but that doesn't mean not having one is automatically a negative.

rghbsn, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

Keep in mind that BSN does not automatically mean RN. You can graduate from a BSN program and never pass your boards...you will always have BSN, it can't be taken from you once you graduate the program. If you never take, or never pass NCLEX, then you'll never be an RN. If you lose you license for practice reasons, illegal activities, drugs, etc...you will still be a BSN, but not an RN.

BSN is a degree.

RN is a registration license.

You don't even have to attend nursing school to sit for the NCLEX in some instances. But they're rare.

caliotter3 · Oct 31, 2009

The RN license allows you to practice Registered Nursing and be paid for it. The BSN diploma is nice to display somewhere in your home, as is the ASN diploma or a diploma from a diploma program, or for that matter an entry level MSN diploma. There are people who graduate from the educational institutions who never take or pass the licensing exam, so without the RN license, they can not practice nursing.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 31, 2009

Stated in yet another way ...

RN = "Registered Nurse" = which indicates that the person has passed a test (called the NCLEX-RN) that is given by the state government. When you pass the test, you are given license to practice as a registered nurse.

In order to be allowed to take the test that qualifies you for an RN licence, you have to meet certain conditions that show you have been educated as a nurse. For most people, that means graduating from an approved school of nursing.

What makes thing really confusing is that there are many different types of educational programs that provide the courses needed to qualified to take the RN test. "Diploma programs" are based in hospitals and do not grant academic degrees, but rather give you a diploma stating that you passed their classes. Diploma programs are usually approximately 3 years in length. "Associate Degrees" are usually found in community colleges and vocational schools. They usually take 1.5 - 3 years to complete. "Bachelor's Degrees" are the equivalent to other 4-year college/university level degrees -- though very recently a few community colleges and vocational schools have started to offer BSN's. There are also a few programs that provide the introductory nursing content in "Master's Degree" programs at universities. Schools of all types are experimenting with different formats and program structures as they try to make money by providing nursing education to people who want to become nurses.

Each type of academic program has a slightly different emphasis, but each provides the basic beginner-level courses that are required for their graduates to take the RN exam. Graduating from an educational program doesn't give you a nursing license. The education gives you the qualifications you need to take the test and get a nursing license, which allows you to use the title "RN."

Katie5 · Nov 13, 2009

Keep in mind that BSN does not automatically mean RN. You can graduate from a BSN program and never pass your boards...you will always have BSN, it can't be taken from you once you graduate the program. If you never take, or never pass NCLEX, then you'll never be an RN. If you lose you license for practice reasons, illegal activities, drugs, etc...you will still be a BSN, but not an RN.
BSN is a degree.
RN is a registration license.
You don't even have to attend nursing school to sit for the NCLEX in some instances. But they're rare.

I understand now perfectly:)

Josie, RN/LCSW · Apr 25, 2014

There is a BIG difference, however, between the quality (and relevant 'worth') of RN-to-BSN programs. The "ADN" that's given to most RN graduates only requires 9 (or less) units of General Education coursework; they're not traditional Associate degree programs. These fly-by-night schools that offer you a "BSN" with only your ADN General Ed. classes, and then a handful of Nursing classes on top of it, aren't worth the paper they're written on. Also, these schools (Chamberlain, Kaplan, U. of Phoenix, Vanguard, and the other ones who heavily recruit to RN students while still in school) usually run classes consecutively, not concurrently (for instance, instead of taking 3 classes at a time for 16 weeks, they'll have you take one class for 6 weeks, another for the second 6 weeks, and the last for the third 6 weeks). They usually cater to people who want a BSN - fast and easy. They also charge around $500 a unit so you're basically buying a degree. Plus, even many employers won't hire BSN's if their degrees came from one of the substandard programs.

This is alright if you only want a "BSN" to work at the VA, join the military, or work at a magnet or university hospital that requires a BSN as the 'title' is all that's necessary. HOWEVER, if you ever want to go further (e.g. Master's degree), these BSN's won't cut it. You will need a Bachelor's from a reputable university that requires upper division General Ed. classes (30-60 units) in order for you to get that BSN. Any school that doesn't require the same number of General Ed. classes as for a traditional Bachelor's, isn't reputable.

I know someone who obtained one of these "Diploma Mill" BSN's and, even though she has a '4.0 GPA', she now can't get into a Nurse Practitioner program other than ones offered by those same type of sham schools. Yale University (for example) won't even accept a 'BSN' for their RN-to-MSN program - you have to have a traditional Bachelor's in another subject on top of your RN.

So, forget the "quick and easy" route to Nursing education unless all you're interested in is letters behind your name. If you want a quality education that will carry weight in the future, stick with traditional programs and value "learning" over "letters".

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2014

I like to point out that I chose not to go into debt over my education and instead went the associate degree and then RN to BSN route. I have worked 3 months in an ICU and I've decided I wanted to go back to an ER. I've had four hospitals call me in the last week for interviews not caring that I am a new grad, an associate degree nurse, only worked in my current job 3 months, or anything like that. The school I went to was a well-known nursing school and I chose previous experiences that have helped out my resume. On the flip side, I have a few classmates who are struggling to find jobs.

In the end, I will have saved over 20,000 even with a scholarship by making the choices I have made. There is an elitist view of having a BSN makes a superior nurse, but that's not always the case.

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 5, 2015

These fly-by-night schools that offer you a "BSN" with only your ADN General Ed. classes, and then a handful of Nursing classes on top of it, aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Wow. From which Ivy League school did you buy your degree?

Also, these schools (Chamberlain, Kaplan, U. of Phoenix, Vanguard, and the other ones who heavily recruit to RN students while still in school) usually run classes consecutively, not concurrently (for instance, instead of taking 3 classes at a time for 16 weeks, they'll have you take one class for 6 weeks, another for the second 6 weeks, and the last for the third 6 weeks). They usually cater to people who want a BSN - fast and easy.

They, and Vanguard in particular, cater to nurses who are working full-time and have families. Four hours per week in the classroom with a strict attendance policy in addition to online presence via discussion boards. What is the difference if I take a nursing theory class for one hour a week for 16 weeks versus 4 hours a week for 4 weeks? Watson is Watson is Watson is Watson and "Knowledge deficit r/t Inefficient BSN School Information" is the same no matter how long the theory class is.

They also charge around $500 a unit so you're basically buying a degree.

Unless you're on a scholarship, everyone buys their education. We earn degrees by way of the hard work we put into achieving them.

Plus, even many employers won't hire BSN's if their degrees came from one of the substandard programs.

Lots of nurses are getting hired by West Coast University which charges a heinous amount of money for their non-CSU/UC BSN degrees. So much for "fly by night".

This is alright if you only want a "BSN" to work at the VA, join the military, or work at a magnet or university hospital that requires a BSN as the 'title' is all that's necessary. HOWEVER, if you ever want to go further (e.g. Master's degree), these BSN's won't cut it. You will need a Bachelor's from a reputable university that requires upper division General Ed. classes (30-60 units) in order for you to get that BSN. Any school that doesn't require the same number of General Ed. classes as for a traditional Bachelor's, isn't reputable.

This will be the second post I reply to in regard to your disparaging words about Vanguard and the so-called "fly by night" BSN programs in an attempt to educate you. While it is up to the individual institution to decide their candidates eligibility the usual requirement is a BSN from a CCNE or NLN accredited program (from which Vanguard and the others you discount are members) and a 3.0GPA. In my search for a MSN with the right fit for me, I have not encountered one that has said, "...except if you graduated from Vanguard".

I know someone who obtained one of these "Diploma Mill" BSN's and, even though she has a '4.0 GPA', she now can't get into a Nurse Practitioner program other than ones offered by those same type of sham schools. Yale University (for example) won't even accept a 'BSN' for their RN-to-MSN program - you have to have a traditional Bachelor's in another subject on top of your RN.

Correction: Yale will accept a non-nursing bachelor's degree for the Graduate Entry Pre-specialty Nursing Program which means this is a track for non-nurses who want to be nurses bu already have a bachelor's in another field. They will earn the RN mid-way through and graduate as MSNs with NPs at the end (I have two friends who did this track). Nurses with BSNs can apply to their MSN programs.

Apgar10, BSN (Vanguard), RN

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 8, 2015

Wow. From which Ivy League school did you buy your degree?
They, and Vanguard in particular, cater to nurses who are working full-time and have families. Four hours per week in the classroom with a strict attendance policy in addition to online presence via discussion boards. What is the difference if I take a nursing theory class for one hour a week for 16 weeks versus 4 hours a week for 4 weeks? Watson is Watson is Watson is Watson and "Knowledge deficit r/t Inefficient BSN School Information" is the same no matter how long the theory class is.
Unless you're on a scholarship, everyone buys their education. We earn degrees by way of the hard work we put into achieving them.
Lots of nurses are getting hired by West Coast University which charges a heinous amount of money for their non-CSU/UC BSN degrees. So much for "fly by night".
This will be the second post I reply to in regard to your disparaging words about Vanguard and the so-called "fly by night" BSN programs in an attempt to educate you. While it is up to the individual institution to decide their candidates eligibility the usual requirement is a BSN from a CCNE or NLN accredited program (from which Vanguard and the others you discount are members) and a 3.0GPA. In my search for a MSN with the right fit for me, I have not encountered one that has said, "...except if you graduated from Vanguard".
Correction: Yale will accept a non-nursing bachelor's degree for the Graduate Entry Pre-specialty Nursing Program which means this is a track for non-nurses who want to be nurses bu already have a bachelor's in another field. They will earn the RN mid-way through and graduate as MSNs with NPs at the end (I have two friends who did this track). Nurses with BSNs can apply to their MSN programs.
Apgar10, BSN (Vanguard), RN

Maybe in CA they hire from these "diploma mills", but in my area you won't get hired anywhere. Many are getting shut down for scamming students. They notoriously lie about accreditation. They say they are accredited. When the only accreditation they actually have is from a group of for profit colleges. They say they are accredited by the Health Alliance Association or something crazy like that. Then you go and look up what this "accreditation" is and they are approved to teach by other for profit scamming schools.

These schools target a certain demographic and tell them to call their 800 number to speak with a counselor to get them started. This so-called counselor, is actually someone in a call center who is trained to sell them a product. They promise these people the moon and how great their life will be making the big bucks in the medical field because there is a huge demand for it. And don't worry about money, we will get you financial aid to pay for it. No money out of pocket. Then they get to school, have shotty instructors, these instructors threaten these students about failing, and they either fail out or IF they make it to the end, very few pass the NCLEX. Those that pass, they don't get hired anywhere. And that 6 mos after graduation comes around and they have huge student loans to pay back. Those that fail out, still have the loans to pay back. Most end up defaulting and guess who ends up paying for it. All of us who pay taxes.

I see it not only in here with people, but in my own life also. One of my good friends got scammed into going to these schools. No prereqs they say. The prereqs are so important to nursing school. So very important. She left the one for profit school because the instructors were terrible. They constantly yell and threaten students, and she got sucked into another one. I don't even think she can sit for NCLEX at this one. I love her to death, but she makes horrible decisions when it comes to money. She is the exact demographic that these schools target. Single moms who are down on their luck. They are poor and desperate looking for a way out and to make a better life for themselves and their kids. And all these schools do is shove them further down the rabbit hole. It honestly makes me sick. A part of me thinks these people have to be more responsible for themselves when making these decisions, and the other part of me knows that this is a cycle for some people and they just don't know any better. They truly want to break the cycle and make their lives better and these people feed them a boat load of crap.

I wish every single one of them was shut down.