ADN vs BSN

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I'm doing a project on the differences between ADN and BSN. I have been searching the web for a while and cannot find anything that helps.

I have two questions:

1. I know BSN's curriculum is written by AACN, who determines the ADN student's curriculum?

2. How many hours clinical hours are required for ADN vs BSN?

Thank you so much!!

Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

I think your state board of nursing determines the number of clinical hours needed.

Specializes in Peds acute, critical care, Urgent Care.

ADN is an Associates, (2 years) and the BSN is the 4yr..Normally, the BSN prepares you for more management roles but the Adn nurses hold that same responsibility now too, also, in some hospitals, it is required that to work in certain acute areas, like the PICU and the PACU that you must have a BSN, all though again several ADN's fill these rolls. Basically, the differences that I see with the two, are that the BSN specifically prepares you more for management roles and leadership roles. NOt to mention the BSN will put a bigger dent in your pocket :)

Thank you for your responses! This helps.

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Moved to ADN/ BSN Forum for better exposure :)

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I'm doing a project on the differences between ADN and BSN. I have been searching the web for a while and cannot find anything that helps.

I have two questions:

1. I know BSN's curriculum is written by AACN, who determines the ADN student's curriculum?

2. How many hours clinical hours are required for ADN vs BSN?

Thank you so much!!

*** There is almost no difference. ADN programs have been moving twords the BSN curriculum for years now. You would be hard pressed to find any difference between them other than a few electives and gen ed courses. It's why RN to BSN programs have very little nursing content, it's not needed.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
*** There is almost no difference. ADN programs have been moving twords the BSN curriculum for years now. You would be hard pressed to find any difference between them other than a few electives and gen ed courses. It's why RN to BSN programs have very little nursing content, it's not needed.

True. In my RN-BSN course, most of the content in the program was covered to some extent in my ADN program. One class in the BSN even used the exact same textbook that I used in the ADN program (albeit it was a later edition).

Specializes in Rehab corrections med-surg.

I did ADN then BSN completion. Samw content just more papers to write. ADN usually has more clinical hours and BSN more research hours.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

No difference, exception to separating research and management...same clinical hours. May have difference in theory hours for the separated hours. Most schools in my are have the same pre-req's with only 1-2 more courses for BSN or college/university requirements. Some BSN programs have electives for additional nursing hours, or preceptorship a for additional clinical hours.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

To the OP. The answer is about 7 classes, or 21 credits. That is what a recent ADN RN grad needs to complete to become a BSN RN. There may be some differences in clinical hours between different schools, but unlikely between ADN and BSN programs.

There is no difference from medical perspective. ADN and BSN nurses have the same instruction about pharmacology, diseases... The only difference is that BSN nurses indoctrinated more. For example BSN assigned to read more articles about gays and stuff. They are also more indoctrinated to believe as if RNs are the center of the health care system.

If there really isn't a difference, then why are hospitals opting to hire more BSNs or transitioning their RNs to BSNs? Isn't it more cost effective for the hospital to hire/use more ADNs? BSNs have to get paid more because of their degree correct? Or am I thinking of something else?

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