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

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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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:

there is never anything wrong in pursuing an education.

if it doesn't benefit you professionally, it always does so personally.

i would encourage all to attain the highest level of education possible.

leslie

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The focus should be on producing good entry level providers regardless of the degree they obtain upon completion of their respective programme.

I am wearing my asbestos undies, so no worries...

I'm glad you wrote this, GilaRN, because it highlights an important point that we don't usually include in these discussions. Some people focus on "Which is better on Day 1?" ... but others do not. Some people are more focused on, "What is going to provide me most and best career options in the lung run?"

If we focus on only Day #1, I think we could all agree that a lot depends on the quality of the specific program. Some ADN programs do an excellent job of preparing entry-level staff nurses -- as do some BSN programs. And some ADN programs do a lousy job of preparing entry level staff nurses -- as do some BSN programs.

But for many people, the important factor in determining "which is better" is not just what happens on Day #1 ... it's the long-term consequences of choosing one or the other. Some people want lots of flexibility and opportunities for career advancement -- and do not want to have to return to school at a later time to get the qualifications necessary for advancement. Other people would rather take the shorter program now -- and return to school later if and when they become interested in those additional opportunities.

So the question of "Which is better?" depends a lot on how you define "better"? As long as people define it differently and use different criteria to determine "better" the answer will vary.

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Specializes in Medicine, Geriatrics, Pedi,ICU, Oncology.

I have never responded to this type of thread before but I read something on here about the ANA stating that a BSN is a professional nurse and an ADN is a technical nurse. I looked at the current license in my wallet and it states that I am registered to practice professional nursing. I passed the same NCLEX everyone else did regardless of the base education. When the NCLEX comes out in two versions, one for the less educated and one for those with further education then I guess we will see the difference. Until that time I suppose we should all just respect and care for each other as peers. :redbeathe

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

Strange. I have an ADN and am in management. I also know I made more than all but my hospitals CNO this year with my "technical" degree. My VP over me has a masters and pulled in $30+k less than I did this year. She doesnt like it but that is the way it is...... Fortunately for me I guess my hospital is one of the few I am guessing that still takes knowledge and ability into the equation, of which this ADN has both of. From the responces in this thread I am making a guess that my hospital is a rarity.... Strangely I have had similar offers from various other hospital systems in the area..... hmmmm.....

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
Strange. I have an ADN and am in management. I also know I made more than all but my hospitals CNO this year with my "technical" degree. My VP over me has a masters and pulled in $30+k less than I did this year. She doesnt like it but that is the way it is...... Fortunately for me I guess my hospital is one of the few I am guessing that still takes knowledge and ability into the equation, of which this ADN has both of. From the responces in this thread I am making a guess that my hospital is a rarity.... Strangely I have had similar offers from various other hospital systems in the area..... hmmmm.....

This is a sincere question, so please don't think there is anything "hidden" in it.

You have an ADN. You are in management. You made more money than everyone (except for the CNO), and even more money than your VP...about 30K more. But, you have only 3 years experience? How in the world did that happen?!

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Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.

I wouldn't mind finding that out either... I might have to try myself. :D

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.
Strange. I have an ADN and am in management. I also know I made more than all but my hospitals CNO this year with my "technical" degree. My VP over me has a masters and pulled in $30+k less than I did this year. She doesnt like it but that is the way it is...... Fortunately for me I guess my hospital is one of the few I am guessing that still takes knowledge and ability into the equation, of which this ADN has both of. From the responces in this thread I am making a guess that my hospital is a rarity.... Strangely I have had similar offers from various other hospital systems in the area..... hmmmm.....

It seems that you are implying that you are not an exception to the staff population and that any of the ADN educated nurses could do the same job that you are doing. You are right. That is very strange.

Please tell us what the rest of the story is.

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If you have the time and the money, do your BSN. Most ADNs finish school and continue to persue their BSNs any way.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.
I looked at the current license in my wallet and it states that I am registered to practice professional nursing. I passed the same NCLEX everyone else did regardless of the base education. When the NCLEX comes out in two versions, one for the less educated and one for those with further education then I guess we will see the difference. Until that time I suppose we should all just respect and care for each other as peers. :redbeathe

It seems to also be frequently forgotten that BSN and ADN are only two of the possible academic levels available to nurses. There are many thousands of diploma nurses with an RN license as well. There are also thousands of MSN and PhD nurses who hold an RN license. RN is a state license that simply allows you to practice nursing. It doesn't speak at all to your academic accomplishments.

The reason that no one has been able to give a really great answer to this is because the academic differences between the diploma/ADN/RN/MSN/PhD/DNP are quite substantial and are really beyond the brief capability of this forum to describe completely and in detail. However, I can say that they involve substantial training in professionalism, leadership, management, research, theory, and the advancement of the nursing field in general. It is difficult and time consuming to speak of the necessity of these topics without doing some digging for good answers, and even then it can be difficult to describe.

Suffice it to say that it is well worth your while to continue your education in nursing. It is an enlightening experience. As you continue in your educational path you will gain a better understanding of how far you have come.

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Specializes in Peri-Op.
If you have the time and the money, do your BSN. Most ADNs finish school and continue to persue their BSNs any way.

I agree with you. I just wanted to let the people thy seem to look down their noses at us "technical adnurses" that it is possible for us to her there. I will likely do the last dew courses for my ban but it's more for personal gratification at this point.

As for the factors of why it is the way that it is.....there are many. Mostly thefact that the surgeons and Anesthesia staff fought to keep me on staff because they valued my efforts. That was nice. Second key, this is a big one, was to refuse salary and stay hourly which allows me to get it. I also get paid for call and bonuses which is all rare for management positions. I also managed to increase our case load average from 250/month to 500+ per month over about a 1 year period.... upper administration likes this.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Psychiatry.
Regardless of educational program, I recommend that whenever possible, nursing students work as techs, interns, externs or any other job that will get them out on the floor in a real-world environment. The difference between doing such jobs and participating in clinicals is that in clinicals, you're pretty much a duckling, needing your instructor or preceptor to assist or observe your actions every step of the way. When you're in one of the above-mentioned jobs, you have a level of independence that can teach you a lot about time management and organization. I learned much in my stint as a nurse tech (in the summer before my last year of school) that I didn't get in clinicals.

There is also a new opportunity in some places--a nursing residency. This is an in-depth program designed to promote retention and keep new grads and orientees from freaking out and quitting in despair or overload. It can last as long as the entire first year, well past orientation into the months when a new nurse is on her own and wondering what she has gotten herself into. The ones I Googled included job coaching, teaching days, and other options to help new nurses get in the groove.

Our hospital has recently started a nurse residency program which has been a great success. Any one starting out either ADN or BSN needs extra guidance when they first start. Having a BSN does give you a broader educational base, but ADN or BSN... first code... I don't think it would matter what you're educational level is...you still might freak and not know how to handle it until it happens. Overall, I think having a BSN or ADN has to do with your personal goals. I knew when I graduated with my ADN that I was going on to my MSN and that would allow me to continue to work instead of starting off with my BSN taking longer to get out on the floor. However, I've had my BSN for 3 years now and it has not helped me at all in the hospital setting. In fact, I was passed over a position for a charge nurse... so having a BSN doesn't give you an automatic in- although it should be taken into consideration. (Although, let me say, I've been a RN 6yrs the RN who received the job >20yrs, however, I was the only one who applied with a BSN) I also never received any type of pay increase for my BSN, however, I have not let this bother me too much because I know my future job will have better pay. Hope this helps. In all reality, you will make the nurse- degree being ADN or BSN- you are what makes the job.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"If you have the time and the money, do your BSN. Most ADNs finish school and continue to persue [sic] their BSNs any way"

Again, I will beg to disagree. Some of us "technical nurse" ADN's are performing and functioning in higher-level nursing roles without "persuing" advanced degrees.

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