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

pinkiepie_RN · Jun 20, 2011

I graduated from a Bachelor's program but the university I went to was small and only had a "Department of Nursing" rather than a "School of Nursing", so I graduated with a B.S. in Nursing. I was told that only graduates from a university with a specific "School of Nursing", such as Johns Hopkins University, have a BSN. It's a technicality.

klone, 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?

If they are in an accelerated BSN progran, then they will have a BSN (and hopefully an RN once they take the board exam). If it's NOT a BSN program, then they are not awarded a BSN at the end. An "RN program" does not automatically mean "BSN program.' It could be an associates degree program, in which case she would have a BS (in biology or whatever) and an ADN in nursing.

Turd Ferguson · Jun 20, 2011

I have a bachelor's degree in biology, and an associates degree in nursing. My letters read Turd Ferguson, BS, RN... not BSN (I wish it did, it would save me two more years of school )

Every accelerated program I have seen is a BSN program, not sure if accelerated ADN programs even exist.

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

Nobody graduates with an RN. RN denotes that the individual has passed the NCLEX-RN exam as well as met what ever licensing requirements their state board of nursing has set. RN is a license not a degree. The differences between the degrees Bachelors of Science in Nursing(BSN) and Bachelors of Science with a concentration in nursing(BS) have been explained by other members. It's more a technicality. If the University awards the degree it's a BS degree with a concentration in nursing. If a separate school within the larger university awards the degree it is a BSN.

mediatix8 · Jun 20, 2011

BS in another field + RN never equaled BSN. It simply depends on the program

wooh, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2011

It's going to depend on how many hours that the accelerated program has, amongst other things. There's a minimum number of hours required to obtain a second degree. I don't think most accelerated programs meet that number of hours.

I've got a BSN. If I go take a few classes in accounting, but not enough to get a second degree, then I'll be able to account, but I won't have a degree in accounting.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 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 whether their accelerated program is a BSN program or not. I've heard of accelerated ADN and diploma programs, and no, a previous degree plus a diploma or Associate's Degree is not a BSN.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2011

LOL, talking about taking the longest route around the block!

OK!

There is no adding one degree to another to create a whole new degree (just because you thought you might add them together :uhoh3: )

If you have a bachelors degree in some other field, and want to get another bachelors degree in nursing you can do that and most likely in less time than you would if you did not have a bachelors degree previously. Even faster if your previous degree required you to take all the sciences necessary for the new nursing degree. If you have a bachelors degree in some other field, and want to get an associates degree in nursing, you can do that too as an option dependent on your previous courses taken as well. Both take the same board exam.

Difference is that, in the case of already having a bachelors degree, an associates degree is usually much cheaper as you aren't paying out for fluff (you already took the fluff during your first bachelors degree) or for the inflated University tuition once again. However usually the associates programs are quite competitive. Many find it much easier to go for the second bachelors degree because it is easy to gain acceptance as long as you were not a screw up during your first bachelors degree. However you will drop some very serious dinero. Accelerated is not special, it's only yet faster, and even more expensive. Accelerated is designed to get you done quickly, that's all.

CrissiQ · Jun 21, 2011

How nursing education is defined can often times be very confusing. Especially in the beginning of our nursing journey. The BSN is a registered nurse with a bachelors degree. The ASN is a registered nurse with a associates degree. They both take the same Nclex exam to get a license to practice nursing. Both degrees produce wonderful and knowledgeable nurses.

manstat · Jun 21, 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?

The answer is actually in your question. The "have a BS in Biology." The BS in Nursing is a comnpletely different degree. Therefore the only was to get a BSN is to go through a BSN program. You can not piece together or back into a BSN through any other method.

Cathylady · Jun 21, 2011

The answer is actually in your question. The "have a BS in Biology." The BS in Nursing is a comnpletely different degree. Therefore the only was to get a BSN is to go through a BSN program. You can not piece together or back into a BSN through any other method.

Thank you. I think you absolutely answered my question. :yeah:

honeykrown, MSN, NP · Jun 21, 2011

not all BSN are the same as a previous poster said. Some is BS in Nursing while others are BSN. maybe thats what your daughter meant.

I got a BS in Nursing but im not sure how to put that behind my name yet. (anyone know about this)