RN Difference

MtnMan · Jan 18, 2004

Don't be fooled most Associates programs take 3 years so if you are able to be a full time student without having to hold a full time job do the BSN straight through. I beleive the ASN programs at this day and age ought to be geared toward the working adult. Depending on your state there may be a trend of pay difference (minimal) for a Bachelor's degree and it will give you an advantage for management positions. Also if you aspire to coninue your education it is an advantage. However at the bedside it makes no difference. Other skills such as ACLS and the like have more influence on your pay locally.

PHM · Jan 18, 2004

Keep in mind also that the associate degree nurse is commonly referred to as an ADN, just like the bachelor's degree'd is a BSN and a master's deg. is an MSN. The "RN" designation is a licensure requiring state testing. Name tags can sometimes be confusing as people will wear "RN, BSN, MSN" where they're simply noting their RN licensure combined with their degrees.

Although I'm finishing my ADN shortly (and it does take 3 years), I agree for some that the BSN would be the better choice. Besides giving you a few more options, it more importantly puts you closer to getting an MSN which puts you wide open to much higher paying specialties (CRNA, nurse practitioner, etc).

I recently went to a multi-hospital job seminar where many of their fact sheets reflected an additional seventy five cents to $1.50 hr for having your BSN or MSN, respectively. Basically, they were looking for RNs, period.

Cheers,

Phil

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 18, 2004

Where I live, they make no differentiation between an RN who has an ADN and an RN with a BSN, and there's no difference in pay (for floor nurses). However, for more supervisory positions, they usually require a BSN. So getting an ADN can limit how high you can go on the "corporate ladder" if you're interested in being a supervisor or getting into administration.

Many people choose to get their RN through an ADN program, and then once they're working, they go back to school in an RN to BSN program, many of which can be done online. The benefit to that is you're getting into the workforce sooner, and many employers do tuition reimbursement. The down side to that is it often takes longer to get that BSN than if you just go right into a BSN program.

Our ADN programs are generally 3 years, but *can* be done in 2 years with a heavy courseload and summer classes.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jan 19, 2004

If you are only interested in floor nursing then an ADN will do ya just fine. But, if you ever want to get further education (CRNA, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, etc) or go into supervisory positions, then you will need a BSN (or some other bachelors degree). So the BSN does offer you more opportunity's.

But find out about the schools in your area. At my school the ADN program is more competitive somewhat to get into than the BSN. ADN takes most people 3 years to complete, BSN 4 years if going full time.

Some hospitals do prefer those with a BSN and others dont care. You might want to just call up or email the nurse recruiters at some of the hospitals you think you might be interested in working for and ask what they prefer. I see in some of the ads anymore where I live stating they prefer BSN nurses. But with the nursing shortage I think they will just hire anyone really.

A lot of people do the ADN/RN-BSN program. Where I live it takes 9 months full time...not bad at all. That is my plan :)

Marilyn

tdg_rn · Jan 19, 2004

So far what I've found is that the skills that are taught for the any of those three choices would be the same. The NCLEX is supposed to guarantee a uniform competency and is just as hard for those that have a BSN as the others. In most places the BSN is a must for management type positions. (The flip side to that is there are not many nurses who graduate and walk into management roles.) The biggest difference is the time available for the individual to devote to college.

If one of my kids wanted to get into nursing I would recommend they get in a BSN program right out of high school while they have no other commitments. Like the earlier posts said, it would give a leg up on completing NP or CRNA if they chose. However in my case, I am completing an ADN program just because of my familial obligations. That will get me out there and working. Besides, in my particular market, the additional expense and time of completing the BSN would only net me an additional quarter an hour starting out.

I'd want and need some experience before being eligible for any worthwhile management position. The way I see it, there are several programs available to allow working RN's get their BSN that are tailored toward individual in that position.

H ynnoD · Jan 19, 2004

If there was any faster way for me to become a Nurse I would take it.That is why I'm going for My AS degree to become an RN.After that I will continue in school to become a BSN,MSN and maybe someday a PHD.The last three are'nt as important to me as becoming an RN is.Just an added bonus.If I did someday become adminstration staff, if possible I would still want to work some out on the floor.

RNKITTY04 · Jan 19, 2004

I'm not sure where you guys are getting 3 years from unless you are refering to prereqs. I am in a 18 month ADN program. The other college in my town does their's in 16 months.

If I were younger I would have probaly gone the BSN route but now all I want is my little "Florence Nightengale" pin and let me go to work!

Come on August 2004!!

smk1, LPN · Jan 20, 2004

rnkitty im pretty sure we're counting the prereqs because you cant get the degree without them. most Adn programs are 2 school yrs for the actual nursing courses, including summers but then bsn is also counting the preqs and summers. so if we say the adn only takes 16-18m because we are not counting the prereqs or summers off, then the bsn only takes 18-20m.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2004

Originally posted by RNKITTY04
I'm not sure where you guys are getting 3 years from unless you are refering to prereqs. I am in a 18 month ADN program.

Many ADN programs do not allow entrance into the nursing program until all prerequisites are completed. So a year for the prereqs, then two years for the nursing program itself.

Wow, that's unreal that someone could get an ADN in 16 months! How do you fit four semesters in that?

TweetiePieRN · Jan 20, 2004

I am in california. By the time i finish my ADN i will have been in school 4 yrs!! I never took any time off...just went right thru school. You have to have prereqs done BEFORE even applying to nursing school here! The first 2 yrs was when i finished the prereqs. I took 15-17 units per semester and even had to take summer classes in those two yrs to complete them. The nursing program is 2-3 more years in addition to the first 2 yrs. The difference between the 2 or 3 yr nursing program is that the 2 yr is FULL TIME(go to school about 4-5 days a wk) and 3 yrs of nursing program is PART TIME(school 2-3 days a wk). When i graduate this May.. I will make the same amt as a BSN. I work in a hospital now and have seen the Nurse's union contract, no difference in pay for bsn vs adn RN. California is supposedly the hardest state to get a nursing license in due to all the requirements. The advantage to ADN vs BSN is surely not the time spent getting to become an RN, but the cost!! It is very expensive to go to a university out here. At least when I graduate I have absolutely NO student loans or debt waiting for me when i graduate.

TweetiePieRN · Jan 20, 2004