Question: BSN to RN or RN to BSN?? confused!

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I'm soon to be going to school for nursing but I'm so confused about this whole RN to BSN or BSN to RN thing. Which one do I do first? Do I have to do my BSN before I can become and RN? or Do I have to do RN first then get my Bachelors?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You have two options.

1. Do your nursing at a 4 year program and get a BSN, then sit for the NCLEX to get your RN license.

2. Go to a 2 year nursing program and get your associates (usually an ASN or ADN degree) or a 2 year diploma program, then sit for the same NCLEX to get your RN license. Afterwards, you can go back to school an do a "RN to BSN" bridge program to get the bachelors degree.

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Welcome to allnurses!

Your confusion is because "RN" is an indication of licensure and "BSN" is an academic degree, so you're talking two entirely different things.

A BSN degree is one route to RN licensure. You can also become eligible for RN licensure by completing an Associate's degree program in nursing, a diploma in nursing (from a hospital-based diploma program), or a "direct-entry" MSN program. After you complete one of these programs, you apply for licensure in the state of your choice, write the NCLEX exam once you're authorized to do so, and the state issues you a license (assuming you pass :)). Then, you're an RN.

"RN to BSN" is a term that is often used to describe an academic program for people who are already licensed RNs (who have completed a diploma or Associate's degree in nursing) to complete the additional courses to complete a BSN degree. (This kind of programs is also often referred to as a "BSN completion" program.) That is entirely optional -- some people choose to do it, some don't. It doesn't affect the RN license that those people already have. People often refer to these programs as "RN to BSN" programs in order to differentiate them from a "pre-licensure" BSN program, which provides the basic nursing education you need to be eligible for licensure (for people who are not already RNs).

So -- you could choose to complete a pre-licensure BSN program to become an RN; you could also go the Associate's degree or diploma route, whichever one is the best choice for you (and there are 'way too many individual variables to be considered for anyone here to be able to tell you which of these would be the best choice for you). If you end up doing an Associate's or diploma program to seek licensure, you could choose later on to complete a BSN degree (which would expand your professional opportunities quite a bit, but it's not a requirement).

Hope that is helpful. Best wishes!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

When you see those RN-to-BSN programs means the programs are offered to ADN or diploma nurses who want to obtain their BSN. Those programs are about a year to complete. Instead of the traditional four years.

Your program is a 4 year program to complete, which you will obtain your BSN. As the above poster stated, you will need to pass the NCLEX to practice as an RN. Same thing as a lawyer; they may graduate from law school but needs to pass the bar to practice as one.

Edit: Didn't realize elkpark posted detailed info; they've everything covered in that post.

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the replies. This helped me a lot! :)

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