I'm confused, can somebody help me?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Specializes in General Nursing, Orthopedics.

I thought that Rn stands for Registered Nurse rather you're an ADN, ASN or BSN it just meant that you are registered, but some people are comparing RN to BSN. Now I'm confused, what is RN actually and is one higher than the other ( RN and BSN ). I'm from Europe so can somebody explain to me what all this means please.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

RN=Registered Nurse. Someone who graduated from an RN program and passed the national examination for RN (NCLEX) for licensure in the residing state.

The below are all Registered Nurses:

ADN/ASN= Associate Degree Nursing and Associate of Science in Nursing, respectively. These are college/university degrees. Both are the same thing. Upon graduation, you sit for the RN NCLEX for licensure as RN.

BSN=Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Another college/university degree that is longer than the ADN/ASN. Upon graduation, the individual sits for the same RN NCLEX as above for licensure as RN.

There is also the Diploma nurse. Upon completion of the Diploma program (no degree conferred), the individual sits for the RN NCLEX as above for licensure as RN.

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Specializes in ER.

The title Registered Nurse (RN) deals with licensure....after graduating from an approved program of nursing, candidates apply for licensure, are tested, and after passing are licensed to practice nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Associates in the Science of Nursing (ASN), Bachelors in the Science of Nursing (BSN) are different educational degrees granted,depending on the type of academic program one attended.

Regardless of the type of academic program attended or the degree granted, newly graduated nurses begin practice on the same level...one is not higher than the other.

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Specializes in General Nursing, Orthopedics.

So I guess you can't compare RN and BSN since RN isn't a nursing programme? It just means that you are registered as a nurse right?

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Yes. RN is the license you obtain that allows you to do the work. The others mentioned, as well as additional (MSN, PhD, DNsc) are education levels.

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Specializes in General Nursing, Orthopedics.

Thank you for the answers, it's clear to me now.

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