Is it true? BS + RN does not = BSN?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

RN is issued by the state one practices in after passing NCLEX, no school can issue an RN upon graduation. Perhaps the school you heard about is a diploma program or an associate program where the students are eligible to sit for RN boards after two years but do not have a BSN.

Flo., BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

In my area we have an accelerated program for people with a BS degree in another field. When they graduate and pass the boards they will be a BS RN but not a BSN RN

allnurses Guide · Jun 20, 2011

There is a difference in a Bachelor's in Science in another field, and a Bach. of Science in Nursing. Only the 2nd one is a BSN. I have students in an accelerated program with degrees in other fields, who will be eligible to sit their boards (the state registers you after passing your boards as a nurse, hence the RN), but will not be BSNs as our program is not a Bach. degree one.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

The RN is a license issued by state boards of nursing when a graduate of an approved professional nursing program passes the state board exam. As the previous poster mentioned, no school issues the 'RN.' Schools issue degrees: ADN (associate degree in nursing), BSN (bachelor of science in nursing), MSN (master of science in nursing), and so on.

If a person already has a BA degree in art history or a BS degree in marine biology, they can certainly complete an accelerated BSN program at a university, graduate with a BSN degree, and be eligible to take the state board exam to become an RN. However, if the same student with the BA/BS completes an associates degree nursing program at a local community college and passes the state boards, the person will be an RN prepared at the associates degree level with a prior BA/BS unrelated to nursing.

In addition, ADNs, BSNs, and entry-level MSNs all take the same state boards.

llbCCRN · Jun 20, 2011

In addition, ADNs, BSNs, and entry-level MSNs all take the same state boards.

Straight to the point! :)

Cathylady · Jun 20, 2011

I understand that they all take the same state boards. My point/question is that when someone has a BS in biology or any other subject and go through the accelerated RN program, do they end up with a BSN or do they have a BS and an RN rather than a BSN?

nicu4me · Jun 20, 2011

If she is starting out as a non RN, with a degree in another field (bachelors), she will be a graduate of that nursing program and take the NCLEX to make her the RN. IF the school is a 4 year/2year/accelerated/bridge whatever, you need to find that out if you think shes going to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The BSN is SPECIFICALLY a bachelor of science degree in NURSING (N).

oaktown2 · Jun 20, 2011

It really depends on the program. Most of the accelerated programs that I know about are BSN programs and so they finish with a BSN. They are able to move at a faster pace because they have already done the GE requirements with their other degree. However, with an entry level masters program you may never receive a BSN (or any Bachelors degree) you just do the required coursework to sit for the RN license and then continue on to the Masters level coursework. But there may also be programs out there that don't lead to a degree, if you already have one.

nicu4me · Jun 20, 2011

Actually that statement from llhRN who quoted the Commuters portion of her response implies to the poster that all RN's are equal in education because they take the same NCLEX. DO NOT want to re-hash all the other older postings on this but I think you're quote is misleading that education has nothing to do with her not graduating with a BSN.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I understand that they all take the same state boards. My point/question is that when someone has a BS in biology or any other subject and go through the accelerated RN program, do they end up with a BSN or do they have a BS and an RN rather than a BSN?

they end up with a second degree. So the new one would be ASN, BSN or MSN, depending on the program that they chose. What you described above is me. I have a Bachelors in Biology and I worked for a few years in research before going back to school for nursing. I primarily explored BSN and accelerated BSN and direct entry MSN programs as a means of getting my RN. I chose direct entry Masters because at some point in the future I'd like to go back to school to become an advanced practice nurse.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I understand that they all take the same state boards. My point/question is that when someone has a BS in biology or any other subject and go through the accelerated RN program, do they end up with a BSN or do they have a BS and an RN rather than a BSN?

It depends on the specific RN program. You get whatever that program is. Most of the accelerated programs I have heard of that require a bachelors in another field are Master's programs (MSN). If it is an accelerated bachelors program you get a BSN. If it is an accelerated Associates you get an ADN.

There is no single outcome though. It always depends on the specific program you are attending.