Is it better to get an ADN or BSN?

Blue Robin · Nov 6, 2015

I agree with you, I am going for my ADN but also feeling peer pressure to get a BSN. In my opinion I think it is kind of stupid and another way of milking you out of more money. Majority of your path to BSN will be theory courses and general courses that you think will be a waste of time.

I was looking into the Air Force and you be a Registered Nurse with ADN but they accept BSN's.

My advice is go for it, get your ADN and while in clinicals network with people in the hospital and build relationships so people will know you and they will take you.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2015

I agree with you, I am going for my ADN but also feeling peer pressure to get a BSN. In my opinion I think it is kind of stupid and another way of milking you out of more money. Majority of your path to BSN will be theory courses and general courses that you think will be a waste of time.
I was looking into the Air Force and you be a Registered Nurse with ADN but they accept BSN's.
My advice is go for it, get your ADN and while in clinicals network with people in the hospital and build relationships so people will know you and they will take you.

There are some interesting theories surrounding it. I personally would like to see the equivalent of a bachelors degree found overseas for us in the US. Less GEC and specialized earlier on.

Blue Robin · Nov 8, 2015

There are some interesting theories surrounding it. I personally would like to see the equivalent of a bachelors degree found overseas for us in the US. Less GEC and specialized earlier on.

I think Nursing school should start head first into clinicals and less on other courses. A lot of nurses have said that real life nursing does not come from a textbook.

In the military, people go to school for 90 days and know more then a civilian going to a four year college.

The point that ADN nurses have been saying is their schooling is more intensive then BSN courses they have limited amount of time and more emphasis on clinicals and less on theory courses. They believe that they are just as competent as nurses with BSN.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2015

A lot of hospitals are trying to move towards Magnet status which requires a certain percentage of BSN nurses.

That is for management positions not front line bedside nurses.

RN_SummerSeas, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 1, 2015

That is for management positions not front line bedside nurses.

"For Magnet recognition, ANCC doesn't specifically mandate a BSN for direct care nurses. However, in a typical Magnet facility, 48.4% of direct care nurses hold a BSN"

While not required BSN is preferred for direct care nurses in many hospitals, not only magnet. I have my RN/ASN and I am finishing my BSN now. The BSN courses I needed to bridge from RN to BSN were mainly leadership courses. I feel that leadership is hugely important in direct care and I have gained a lot of knowledge in the program I am in.

Just my 2 cents.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I think Nursing school should start head first into clinicals and less on other courses. A lot of nurses have said that real life nursing does not come from a textbook.
In the military, people go to school for 90 days and know more then a civilian going to a four year college.
The point that ADN nurses have been saying is their schooling is more intensive then BSN courses they have limited amount of time and more emphasis on clinicals and less on theory courses. They believe that they are just as competent as nurses with BSN.

To be fair, meaningful experience is far more beneficial than some of the theory classes. The main issue is that there is very little difference between a traditional BSN course load and an ADN course load with the exception of general education credits. A lot of ADN programs are incorporating management/leadership classes, geriatrics, community, research, etc into their program. Going through syllabi and classes between the different colleges, the main differences were general education classes.

However, in Europe the BSN we earn in the US wouldn't really be considered equivalent. They have 3 year programs but they specialize earlier on and have less general education credits. Yes we are "more rounded" but they are far more specialized in their career field. Granted, their training goes further into specialization such as adult nurses, peds nurses, midwifery, etc.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 15, 2015

I opted to get the ADN first because I wanted to be able to start working as an RN right away. It was also less expensive to do the ADN and then do an RN-to-BSN bridge program than go straight for the BSN. The plus side is that my employer gives tuition reimbursement for the BSN, which is a huge benefit. I'm working as an RN and I'm getting my BSN tuition paid with little out of pocket expense (just books & fees). I feel it's a win-win situation to go this route.

Take a look at the job market in your area and read the open postings for RNs. If most of them say "BSN preferred" or "BSN only", you've got your answer on which route to take.

Jwin10 · Dec 15, 2015

I already had a bachelors degree from a previous work life.

I went for my ADN first and when I was done I got my first job, (this was 2011) and then used my tuition reimbursement to get my BSN. It took me less than a year.

As an RN now, I still feel that an ADN program turns out more clinically sound grads vs a BSN. I've had students on my floor from both types of programs and I can tell a huge difference.

If the option is there, I'd suggest ADN and then BSN when tuition reimbursement is offered. Best of both worlds. That being said, most places that I see only want BSN RNs now. :-/.

Ldya1492 · Dec 16, 2015

More job opportunities as a BSN.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2015

More job opportunities as a BSN.

It depends on your area. In my area, it depends on your resume and which schools you go to.

tnicnat · Jan 4, 2016

Most places, that I've researched, and at the place I work, have a pay scale....if you only have your Adn you are lowest on the pay scale, and you have two years to get your bsn or you've lost your job...a bsn. Gets paid much more at least 10 to 15 more than an adn, and your able to specialize easier. I left an unaccredited school (who fibbed greatly about accreditation) for an adn, added 1 semester in an accredited school for my bsn. Don't want to stress....adns do the same job as a bsn on most floors but get paid a lot less.

tcRN2015 · Jan 5, 2016

I obtained my ASN in 2.5 years, and now the hospital I was hired at plus financial aide will cover my BSN while I make an RN paycheck. BSN is a must these days, but if you need to increase your pay quickly, ADN is a great option.