Difference between ADN and BSN nurse

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Specializes in Observation Unit.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between a nurse that have an associate's degree and one that have a bachelor's degree as far as responsibilities and pay are concerned. I'm currently taking my basics for the associates degree nursing program at my school and I'm looking to enroll in a RN to BSN bridge program in the near future. I'm trying to decide rather I want to pursue an associates degree first or just go ahead and do the whole BSN program. I'm not sure which route to take. From my understanding nurses with an BSN degree have more opportunity for advancement and nurses that have an associates do more bedside care. Starting out, I would like to do more bedside care. Please help.

P.S. I'm a single parent of a 2-year old daughter and I would like to start my nursing career ASAP.:nuke:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

You're plan is an excellent plan since you need to get to work ASAP, so going that route is a good one. Many hospitals have tuition reimbursement where you can get them to help you pay for it. That's what I did, only I waited 15 years to finally get my BSN. I felt the sting of rejection when I went after a unit educator job and was denied because I hadn't completed my BSN.

How much more "basics" do you have left and how long with that be. The ASN program is going to take you two years, so you might be looking at only one more year to get your BSN now as opposed to getting your ASN in three years and then adding another 1.5 to 2 years to get your BSN. At your age, I would advice getting it now.

But you're right about the BSN being an investment in future job opportunities, which since you're young and have a family is a good thing. Both BSNs and ADNs start off at bedside nursing, making pretty much the same amount of money, so you aren't going to notice any big difference right away.

ADN nurses don't necessarily stay at the bedside their entire careers either, many move beyond. Depending on where you live (smaller towns with no BSN programs tend to have ADNs RNs in all kinds of positions that might require a BSN in other cities, so it's regional).

Either way you go, get your BSN soon. :)

Confusing isn't it.

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Specializes in Observation Unit.

Thanks for the information. I actually have 2 more prerequisites courses; College Algebra and Health Professions Skills. I have 4 more support courses to complete, they include A&P, Microbiology, Speech, and an elective. I'm currently attending a Dallas Community College.

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What happened to me was... I obtained a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry... Then when I was looking into attending a BSN program, the schools advised me that BSN programs are only available to students who have never obtained a Bachelors degree. Thus the only way I can become a nurse was to either enter a 2-year ASN program, or a 2-year Masters Entry Nursing program. The Masters program is a combined BSN/MSN program. So of course, I chose that route rather than go the ASN route.

So... if you have not obtained a Bachelors degree yet, then you should aim for the ASN route first so that you can begin your career right away. The thing you should think about is that BSN programs are VERY highly competitive, and the BSN school will look at all your previous grades in the ASN program. However, if you have a few years to spare while you're in community college and can kick butt on your pre-req courses, then maybe going straight to the BSN program is better for you. It depends on what's good for your current situation.

See you out there! :coollook::nuke:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

Most starting pay for nurses is about the same whether you are a ADN or BSN nurse. If you are looking into going into management at some time, with either degree you usually also need experience. I am a DON in St. Paul and have an ADN degree and have no desire to go back to school as I am getting where I want without the BSN.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Hello there fellow DCCCD student! I'm currently second semester at the North Lake satellite. Since I too have a family, I'm going the ADN route and then will bridge to a BSN as soon as I pass my boards, and get a job. On a slightly off note, please allow me to make one, tiny suggestion. Get ALL of your support courses out of the way prior to starting your actual nursing classes. It's just way too much to try and do support and RNSG classes at the same time. Good luck with everything, and don't hesitate to message me if you need anything. We DCCCD students need to stick together! :)

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please help me!!!

i have my BSN but never got my RN meaning i sat for boards once in 1998 and didn't pass. i followed a different career path up until recently and i'm interested in getting back into the nursing filed. re-entry programs are out i believe cause i was never an RN. i feel like i need to go back through an entire program to get the needed and updated coursework, clinicals, and review for boards. is it possible for me to go through an associate's program or should i be trying to go back through a BSN program. any info anyone can give me will help. i have made some calls here in ga but most of the folks i've spoken with seem dumbfounded and say they've never really seen anyone in my position..

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

Most schools that I am familiar with expect students to retakeanything over 7 yrs old.

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