RN Difference

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2004

Most associate degrees of nursing take about 4 years in school, and most BS degrees take about 6 years. I believe most diploma programs take about 3 years. All graduates of these programs are elgible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, and if they pass, all can be licensed Registered Nurses.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 18, 2004

An associate degree in nursing is a two year program, it is just that many of the community colleges require you to have your pre-reqs done before you can get into the program.

A diploma in nursing used to be earned in a hospital based program. They were either two years or three years.

A BSN is a four year degree in nursing, giving you the advantage if you want to go into a specialty that gives you a master's degree such as anesthesia, nurse practitioner, educator, etc.

As far as a difference in salary, there isn't any in most places. If it is offered it is only $0.25 per hour on average. If you want to become an RNFA you are required now to have a BSN. A lot now just depends on what type of program is offered near where you live and what is available to you.

Salary is dependent on what state you live in and the type of facility that you will be working in. Also, if you had any previous hospital experience, such as working as a CNA while you were a student, etc.. Many factors come into play.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 18, 2004

There is little to no financial incentive to obtain a BSN. There is potential to advance into management or higher certifications (such as Nurse Practitioner or CRNA).

One thing that is true at least in this area is that it is far easier to get into Bachelor's programs. Associate programs have very high numbers of applicants and it is VERY competitive. Virtually no chance of being accepted if one doesn't have at A's at least in sciences. My understanding (from students I worked with) is that there is virtually guaranteed acceptance into BSN programs as long as basic requirements met. They usually have slightly lower NCLEX pass rates but still quite high. Also at least here locally the whole program can be completed in 4 years.

Were I to be starting again I would go the BSN route (wasn't available in my town at that time). I went to school full -time for 3 FULL years (including every summer semester). I graduated with almost enough credits for a bachelors but with an ADN. Also all the BSN students I have met have been far less stressed than the ADN students. If you can afford the time and money I would go the BSN route.

bellehill, RN · Jan 18, 2004

Both degrees take the same NCLEX exam so there is no difference in job desciption. Also, as an ADN graduate there are many accelerated BSN programs that can be completed in 12-18 months if you are a licensed, working RN.

lioneliz · Jan 18, 2004

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet or so the saying goes. The same goes for RN's. Diploma programs were generally run by hospitals, and had a large amount of hands on nursing experience. ADN programs had some theory and some general education requirements. BSN programs focus more on theory and probably have less clinical experience. The end product is a GN who no matter what program she graduates from has to continue to learn nursing. (there is no better teacher than real life) The only difference is the approach one takes to the NCLEX exams. I graduated from an ADN program and then went through a BSN completion program. I do feel I benifited from the additional educational experience. Not because it was a BSN program, but because the education broadened my view of the world. I plan to continue to learn throughout my life perhaps not specifically in the field of nursing, but anything that keeps my mind active.

twarlik · Jan 19, 2004

Originally posted by TiffyRN
One thing that is true at least in this area is that it is far easier to get into Bachelor's programs. Associate programs have very high numbers of applicants and it is VERY competitive. Virtually no chance of being accepted if one doesn't have at A's at least in sciences. My understanding (from students I worked with) is that there is virtually guaranteed acceptance into BSN programs as long as basic requirements met.

This isn't true everywhere. My school (a BSN program) receives about 200 applications every semester for about 70 spots. Getting accepted is much more difficult than just meeting "basic requirements." I think most students on this board would agree that the majority of nursing programs (ADN, BSN, or diploma) are difficult to get into these days.

kea6783 · Jan 20, 2004

Just wanted to tell you, that as a twenty year old just starting to take nursing school reqs, I have spend hours and hours researching, 'networking' and calling people to find out what exactly my options are. I only give my opinion because I don't know exactly who is researching this issue today, and who is remembering from when they were in school.

Anyway, what I've found is that of the BSN programs I've looked at in TX, (all four year) almost all have the same or higher acceptance standards than ADN programs. I'm going to Blinn Junior College- It has, I believe, a wonderful three year ADN program, which many students drop out of because of the difficulty, and then attend Nursing programs at Four Year Colleges. Most of the other ADN programs I've found in TX are two year, but I would never say any of them were "easy".

I can't wait to become a nurse and get 'dirty'. The reason I've chosen the BSN program is because I want to further my education after my BSN, and also it would just be a year longer than the ADN program at Blinn. I'm hoping that regaurdless of what program you went through, everyone suffers the same rookie mistakes, which I'm SURE I'll make, and I hope everyone gets the respect you deserve- You will from me.

eak16 · Jan 20, 2004

I agree with Twarlik- My BSN program got about 600 appliccations for 80 slots this year!! I think it depends on region more than anything else.

Another difference that i have seen is that AD programs focus a lot on clinical skills, and BSN programs focus a lot on critical thinking type skills and things like culture, research, community health, etc. In my BSN program it is pretty much expected that we will go on to grad school, the professors have asked who thought they would still be a bedside nurse in 10 years and no one raised their hands- kind of sad, but I want to be an ARNP myself so that is why I am going the BSN route. I think the qualities that make you a good nurse however have less do to with type of degree than state of mind.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2004

As was mentioned BSN, ADN, and Diploma nurses all take the same NCLEX, which is the exam that gives one the RN.

All three start out at the bedside making the same amount of money usually. My hospital pays about .50 or 1.00 more for a BSN.

The advantage in the BSN isn't seen right out of school at the bedside. It's in the opportunities in the future that one can advance to teaching, management, public health, sales, etc.

I'm quite happy with my ADN, but I always recommend the BSN for the knowlege and opportunities it affords, if one is able to do that. There was no BSN program in the small town I was living in at the time I went to nursing school.

Good luck!

TinyNurse, RN · Jan 20, 2004

In my hospital a BSN only makes .25 more than an ADN. Seems sorta menial when you can get another certification in a few months and still make that .25/hr

xo Jen

shodobe · Jan 20, 2004

suzanne, anyone with at least two years experience and aCNOR cert can go through an RNFA program, they just can't sit for the cert exam without the BSN. I know quite a few RNFAs who don't have their BSN and they are quite happy doing what they do. Up intil 2000 you would have been grandfathered in for the exam without the BSN. This is my current understanding unless things have changed lately. Mike