Is the 2 or 4 year nursing degree better?

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 10, 2014

I recommend you browse this website and view lots of threads on this question. What is "best" for any individual depends on a lot of factors that vary from one situation to another. For example:

1. A lot depends on where you live. In some areas of the country (usually, where there are plenty of BSN-prepared nurses in the job market), nurses with ADN's are having a hard time finding good jobs. That is particularly true of new graduates with only an ADN. At my hospital, we no longer hire nurses with only an ADN unless they are currently enrolled in a BSN program and/or have significant relevant RN experience in the specialty in which they will be hired. One local hospital will not even allow current employees with an ADN to transfer to another unit of the same hospital without making that committement to getting a BSN within a specified time frame. What is the employment outlook in your region? -- That's the big question.

2. What is the quality of the various educational programs that are realistic options for you? If your only BSN option is a school of poor quality ... and there is an excellent quality ADN program available, that's different than the other way around.

3. What are your career goals? If you hope to advance to higher-level positions beyond the basic staff nurse level, you will need educational beyond the ADN -- maybe even a Master's Degree or Doctorate. If you will be needing to get additional education, sometimes it is easier and cheaper to do it all at once.

So you see, there is no 100% definite answer to that question that is right for every individual. The fact is that nursing is moving towards a requirement for a BSN for an increasing number of positions -- particularly in the most sophisticated health facilities. People without that BSN will find fewer job opportunities at the higher levels of practice (though there may be plenty of jobs available for home health aids, nursing assistants, etc. population ages). But the "best" path for you at this time depends on the particular facts of your situation.

lovenotwar14 · Jan 10, 2014

Both hold the same license so it would depend on how soon you want to start working as a nurse. So you could take the NCLEX with an ASN and then do a 3 semester RN-BSN bridge. Or if you have 4 years to spend in school then you can go straight for the BSN. I can tell you this, you want to get your BSN. Rather you do it now or later thats up to you but word around here is that a lot of hospitals prefer nurses to have BSN. also keep in mind that preference also has a lot to do with where you live. So meduim to big cities might prefer a BSN but I live in and around small towns and ASN is just fine... but with that comes somewhat of a decrease in pay but thats another story. Good luck.

LClark0823 · Jan 10, 2014

Remember, for most schools, you are going to need more "general education" credits to get your BSN than you will have after finishing your ADN and additional nursing classes as well. For me, getting my ADN first is much more cost effective because I will be getting my two year degree at a community college and the classes are much cheaper than at a four year university. My plan, however, is to immediately apply for a RN-BSN program after I complete my ADN and get my license. I looked into programs at different universities in my area and found the list of classes that I will need to complete my BSN and am taking as many of those as I can while I'm in school. I have already finished everything except the nursing classes for my ADN program and with just nursing classes, I won't even be a full time student. I'll be able to take one or two additional classes each semester and should be able to complete my general education core for my bachelors while earning my associates degree. Then, after transferring to a 4 year university, I should get senior status and finish my BSN in a year. Or at least, that's the plan! For me, this way is the most affordable and I can begin working sooner.

SNN813 · Jan 10, 2014

Thank you LClark, that was great advice.