what is the difference?

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Hello everyone!

What exactly is the difference between a Nurse with a BSN and one with a ADN?

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BSN = more research, management, policy/legislation, and possibly community nursing courses.

ADN = more clinical experience (from what i hear anyway; im in a BSN program)

pay is generally the same.

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Specializes in HHA, CNA, EKG, Phleb.

A nurse with an ADN has an 'Associates Degree in Nursing" which is usually a 2 year college course. A nurse with a BSN has a 'Bachelors Degree in Nursing' which is usually a 4 year college degree course. Nurses with 4 year degree get more pay (depends on several factors though) and they are usually hired for more supervisory/administrative positions within a facility. However, an ADN nurse can get similar jobs (jobs with higher pay and higher position) with many years of experience, good skills and tenure.

This is just a general guide to get you started and give you a general idea. as with anything other factors are there to consider.

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Thanks guys!

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Just want to add, if you think you might want to go on to a Masters degree (in ANY field) you'll need a Bachelors degree first.

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A nurse with an ADN has an 'Associates Degree in Nursing" which is usually a 2 year college course. A nurse with a BSN has a 'Bachelors Degree in Nursing' which is usually a 4 year college degree course. Nurses with 4 year degree get more pay (depends on several factors though) and they are usually hired for more supervisory/administrative positions within a facility. However, an ADN nurse can get similar jobs (jobs with higher pay and higher position) with many years of experience, good skills and tenure.

This is just a general guide to get you started and give you a general idea. as with anything other factors are there to consider.

I'm not an expert by any means, I'm just doing my pre-req's myself. From what I've seen though, the the ADN is a year of pre-req's and then two years of nursing school and the BSN is a year of pre-req's and then 3 years of nursing school.....so there's really only a year difference.

As another poster mentioned, if you want to get your Master's at some point, it seems that it would be worth it to go ahead and do the one more year.

Peace,

Cathie

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

When I bridge over from ADN-BSN program, I will only have to complete one more year of school. At the hospitals in my area, there is no pay difference between RN's working the same job, but to go into areas such as school nursing or public health, you must have your BSN.

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Specializes in NICU.

I would say definately get your BSN. I am a third year nursing student now (getting my BSN) and there are so many people in my nursing program that are already nurses (ADN) and have come back to get their BSN b/c they are fazing out ADNs and want BSNs now. So just do it now, it will definately be worth it.

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But, dont you have to have a BSN to specialize? For like oncology or something?

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