RN ADN vs. RN BSN

roser13, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2015

I'm just curious to hear opinions on the subject of is an RN ADN better or worse clinically than an RN BSN or is there any clinical difference? I personally am an RN ADN getting my BSN, and wife is an RN BSN so I have no bias, opinions are great, proof is better, let me know what you think and let's try to keep it respectful......GO!!!!!!

How about using the Search feature in the upper right corner of any page on this forum? I would venture to guess that this is the single-most talked about subject on the forum. You will find miles and miles of "respectful" conversation on the subject and you'll find it instantaneously - no need to wait for responses.

And who am I kidding? You will also find miles of "disrespectful" conversation.

Psychcns · Feb 27, 2015

Define "clinical". I think the BSN gives a broader background and theoretical foundation to nursing practice. However, both groups sit for the same exam and have the same scope of practice. In a tight job market, employers hire BSN's first. I have worked with good ADN's and good BSN's. and not so good in both categories. The BSN gives you more options.

BIGT68 · Feb 27, 2015

Define "clinical". I think the BSN gives a broader background and theoretical foundation to nursing practice. However, both groups sit for the same exam and have the same scope of practice. In a tight job market, employers hire BSN's first. I have worked with good ADN's and good BSN's. and not so good in both categories. The BSN gives you more options.

By clincal I meant tele interpretation, catheters, pt care, a better question would be is their either of them that are more prepared coming into the nursing world that you notice consistently?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2015

I believe that a nurse's particular degree or license is less consequential than his/her experiential level.

For instance, I attended school with an LPN who was working agency shifts in MICU, tele, stepdown, med/surg, and other higher acuity areas. I'll bet top dollar she has a wider procedural skill base than an RN with a BSN degree who has never worked in any area other than assisted living.

I know, I know...some would shout, "The LPN is task-oriented!" However, as someone who worked as an LPN for several years, I can assure you that not all LPNs are task-oriented. In addition, the OP asked about hands-on procedural skills.

Psychcns · Feb 27, 2015

I agree about the experience. And the individual. Worth getting the BSN for wider job prospects and you might learn something (or not).

firstinfamily, RN · Mar 6, 2015

I started my nursing career as an ADN/RN, I had wonderful experiences as an ADN student, to the point that I was hired as an ICU nurse graduate and did well in that environment. I also continued my education for my BSN as soon as I graduated because at that time there were threats that all ADN nurses were going to be considered as "non-professional" nurses and would have to take separate boards. The separation of the boards never happened and that was over 30 years ago. With my BSN I had a broader educational base and some further advanced classes, however, it was the basics of nursing in my ADN program that got me my first job. The clinical time with my ADN program was exceptional compared to the clinical experiences of my BSN program. However, the theoretical classes of my BSN prepared me for the deeper social and psychological aspects of nursing and managerial type decisions.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2015

We had 600+ clinical hours in my ADN program and I have heard the BSN programs don't usually offer as much which is why ADN are considered more "skills" oriented and a BSN more "thinker" oriented. I just finished RN-BSN program and there was no clinical aspect to it. In NC, we have a CNA II level where you are certified to do most of what an RN does (no IV starts or admin meds, but can do wound care and trach care on established wounds/trachs; I was allowed to to tube feeds too) I think that helped more than anything in Nursing school: being proficient at most of the skills I needed before I even started. I did not take a phlebo class, which I should have. Where I work, we have phlebo and an IV team so no sticking for me.