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Discussion

Question for hiring managers..

  • Experts

Do you value a BSN the same as a BS in Nursing? I am noticing that some schools offer a BS in nursing instead of a BSN and after questioning the school, I could not get a clear answer on what the difference is? I am going to google, but was wondering if anyone knew if when applying for a job it would make a difference which one you had.

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    BS means Bachelor of Science, it is a general term for a degree, and BSN is Bachelors of Science in Nursing, there is no difference. You can also have a BA= Bachelor of Arts, I've seen BAN's too. BS is just the type of degree, I beleive the difference between BS and BA is a few classes. You can have a BS in Education, Math, Nursing, and Biology, just as you can have a BA in those subjects as well. If memory serves me correctly, you'll more often see people with majors in the artistic field (like Art, Theater) or social topics like sociology or Education, you'll more often see those people with the BA as opposed to the BS.

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    BS means Bachelor of Science, it is a general term for a degree, and BSN is Bachelors of Science in Nursing, there is no difference. You can also have a BA= Bachelor of Arts, I've seen BAN's too. BS is just the type of degree, I beleive the difference between BS and BA is a few classes. You can have a BS in Education, Math, Nursing, and Biology, just as you can have a BA in those subjects as well. If memory serves me correctly, you'll more often see people with majors in the artistic field (like Art, Theater) or social topics like sociology or Education, you'll more often see those people with the BA as opposed to the BS.
    Noooo. A BSN is NOT equivalent to a BS/BA degree except for the fact they're all 'bachelor' degrees.In a BSN program your higher level classes will pertain exclusively TO NURSING. A BS/BA DOES NOT. It would be helpful to give advice remotely accurate ;)
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    Noooo. A BSN is NOT equivalent to a BS/BA degree except for the fact they're all 'bachelor' degrees.In a BSN program your higher level classes will pertain exclusively TO NURSING. A BS/BA DOES NOT. It would be helpful to give advice remotely accurate ;)

    I am specifically asking to compare a BSN to a BS in Nursing. I am not asking about any other BA or BS degrees. Some schools offer a BSN, while others are offering a BS in Nursing.I questioned a school about it and she said the only difference is on your name badge it would say RN, BS not RN BSN but that they were essentially regarded the same. They are both Nursing. I assumed a BS in Nursing was a BSN she said they are a little different but could not explain why. She was specific that it was not a BSN but a BS Nursing.

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    I think a BSN and BS in Nursing are the same. There is also a RN to BSN for RNs who have an associates degree (ASN) to pursue a baccalaureates degree.

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    I am specifically asking to compare a BSN to a BS in Nursing. I am not asking about any other BA or BS degrees. Some schools offer a BSN, while others are offering a BS in Nursing.I questioned a school about it and she said the only difference is on your name badge it would say RN, BS not RN BSN but that they were essentially regarded the same. They are both Nursing. I assumed a BS in Nursing was a BSN she said they are a little different but could not explain why. She was specific that it was not a BSN but a BS Nursing.
    I know what you were asking... My reply was to the "quote" displayed in my post.But to your question, BS in nursing or BSN... Hmm sounds the same to me? If you really want to know i would compare each degrees' class requirements, total credits in each area, etc and look to see what makes them NOT equivalent.
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    Ok , I got an email back from one of my former proffesors and she said a BS with a major in Nursing is more academic and has more research and is geared towards pursuing higher education or doing research. The BSN in more geared towards working RNs and has more leadership and less research. I have never heard of this before, so if it is accurate or not I have no idea.

    If anyone can confirm or correct this info I would appreciate it.

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    I have never even heard of their being a difference. That being said, I imagine if you pur BS Nursing on your resume, I doubt many people will know the difference or question you about it. They will either think it is the same thing as a bsn or just think you wrote it out. If I were you I would look at the classes and see which program is better suited for you.

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    admittedly, recently i had a pt. that asked me if there was such a degree, as it has been stated previously bs stands for bachelor of science and bsn bachelor of science in nursing, the bs focus more academic research than the bsn; that's the only logical way to explain the differences without getting to technical.

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    • Experts

    Tomato, Tomatoe....Potato, Potatoe.....six of one and half a dozen of the other.

    Not much difference.

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    There is not a difference between a BSN and a BS in nursing. It is just the individual school's preference in what letters they use. I checked into this extensively before starting my bachelor's degree because one school offered a BS and another offered the RN to BSN program. There is not any difference in the degree. Hope this helps you.

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    BSN = Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    BS in Nursing = Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    there really is nothing else to debate here..

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    • Experts
    Ok , I got an email back from one of my former proffesors and she said a BS with a major in Nursing is more academic and has more research and is geared towards pursuing higher education or doing research. The BSN in more geared towards working RNs and has more leadership and less research. I have never heard of this before, so if it is accurate or not I have no idea.

    If anyone can confirm or correct this info I would appreciate it.

    Your professor is giving you the "official" version that reflects the history of the 2 different degrees, BS in Nursing vs. BSN. Historically, the difference in degree titles reflected the difference in the organizational structure and governance of the school. BSN's offered by professional schools within a university with the professional school having its own committees that govern the program ... and BS (Nursing) degrees offered by colleges/universities in which the nursing program was a department (and not a separate school), governed by the same bodies that govern all of the other academic departments.

    The different degree titles also reflect the purpose behind the creation of the program -- to create scholors or to create practitioners. Professional schools usually emphasized the practice of the discipline -- and the nursing departments governed by the same faculty committees governing the other departments emphasized scholarly activity.

    Over the years, the distinctions have blurred and you will find that the curricula of both types of programs (BS(Nursing) and BSN) are pretty indistiguishable from each other. But at some schools, you can really see their focus (practice or scholarship) reflected in their programs.

    As you can see from the previous posts, most nurses are not aware of the differences or of the history of their academic programs. I've never seen it make a difference in hiring.

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