I don't understand the diff between ADN & BSN????? Help!!!

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An ADN is a so called "two year degree". But it consists of 1 year of pre reqs and 2 years of nursing school. The BSN is 2 years of pre reqs and 2 years of nursing school? So what's the difference if they are both two years of nursing school(not including the pre requs)???? I'm Confused??:confused:

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The difference is the added general ed courses to make up a bachelor's degree (more credits) and the added types of courses to make up a BSN, typically leadership/management and community health nursing.

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There exist more threads than I care to mention on this topic. A two year degree is an associates degree. A four year degree is a bachelors degree. It does not matter how long it takes, if you graduate from a two year programme (associate), you get a two year degree. It's that simple.

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There exist more threads than I care to mention on this topic. A two year degree is an associates degree. A four year degree is a bachelors degree. It does not matter how long it takes, if you graduate from a two year programme (associate), you get a two year degree. It's that simple.

Well thank you GilaRN. I did understand the basic differences, but I didn't find a thread that answered this specific question, so I guess my question still goes unanswered.

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Well thank you GilaRN. I did understand the basic differences, but I didn't find a thread that answered this specific question, so I guess my question still goes unanswered.

I think it has been answered; you can expect more gen ed courses and possibly additional nursing theory and clinical courses (management, research, & public health) in a BSN programme.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

The real difference is how far you can go in your career. ADN - not very far. BSN - frequently goes into management, which equals better hours and money.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Misslady113, Unquestionably, the ADN is an accelerated program everything is cram into 2yrs. and some people find it convenient since they can't see themselves in college for 4yrs. Having said that, with a BSN if your interested in management it will be the right choice, ADN can do some management depending on the facility. However, the BSN can further your career, for a example you can go for MSN, CRNA, etc. it all depends on your personality and in how much can you apply yourself. Furthermore, the ADN & the BSN take the same NCLEXRN. In addition, some facilities pay a little more to a BSN, not always; and they tend to promote the BSN faster. Lastly, I hope you got the answers you were seeking, I wish you the best in your future endeavors~:cool:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"The real difference is how far you can go in your career. ADN - not very far. BSN - frequently goes into management, which equals better hours and money."

:confused:Oh dear, I thought we'd moved past that viewpoint.

There are (and probably always will be) administrative and management positions open to ADN's.

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What bothers me the most is at my facility badges have RN, then BSN on them, just b/c we have an ADN doesn't mean we are any less a nurse but having a BSN deserves credit? I worked just as hard as they did and people do look at u differently, or they ask are u going back to school. No I am very happy with my ADN.

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What bothers me the most is at my facility badges have RN, then BSN on them, just b/c we have an ADN doesn't mean we are any less a nurse but having a BSN deserves credit? I worked just as hard as they did and people do look at u differently, or they ask are u going back to school. No I am very happy with my ADN

While it's great that you're happy with your ADN..i don't know; I think having a degree that takes twice as long to achieve DOES deserve credit.

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What bothers me the most is at my facility badges have RN, then BSN on them, just b/c we have an ADN doesn't mean we are any less a nurse but having a BSN deserves credit? I worked just as hard as they did and people do look at u differently, or they ask are u going back to school. No I am very happy with my ADN

While it's great that you're happy with your ADN..i don't know; I think having a degree that takes twice as long to achieve DOES deserve credit.

I agree. I spent an extra $20K and year and a half getting my BSN, I'm proud of it and I don't think there is anything wrong with listing it on your name badge.

To the OP, the difference in schooling is more nursing classes (for me it was a senior practicum that consisted of nearly 300 clinical hours, one entire year of adult med-surg, nursing management, and a community health class) as well as various additional pre-requisites. I have 6 semesters of just nursing classes, and three and a half of prereqs, so the entire process took me 4.5 years.

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Specializes in cardiac, ICU, education.

Most people don't understand the difference until they receive their BSN or higher. According to the ANA, the ADN is a technical nurse. BSN is a professional nurse. Graduate nurses are advanced practice nurses, and PhD or now DNP are nurse scholars or doctorate nurses. With each degree comes a higher level of understanding of the theory and science of nursing. MSN and PhD focus on research and advanced skills which actually make nursing a science. I have my ADN, BSN, MSN, and soon PhD. I am grateful that I have pushed myself to go farther because it has been a very rewarding experience each time.

ADN might enable you to do a good job at the bedside, but that is as far as the training was meant to take you. I know in many of the hospitals around my area, they are quietly placing only BSN clinical students on their floors since many new grads will work at the hospitals they did their clinical rotations in and this ensures a higher BSN level mix which is important for magnet status.

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