RN programs difference btw BSN and Associates?

woodlandstar · Mar 17, 2009

I've been doing research on this topic myself. What I have learned so far is that the main difference lies in what you would like to do with your degree. If you want to go on in graduate studies such as an MSN you will need the BSN. Also I believe if you want to work at the management level you will need the BSN. At the work level, from what I have learned, there is no difference in pay because the job titles are the same..staff RN. I have heard that the Rn degree will be phased out eventually and all nurses will require BSN at the minimum. Not sure how true that is.

guiltysins · Mar 17, 2009

As far as programs, the associate's degree focuses mainly on the clinical classes and don't teach management and leadership, so if you want to get your MSN, obviously having a Bachelor's is necessary but not even just for your master's, nurses with bachelor's have more opportunities to move up in the profession. As the above stated, they are beginning to phase out the Associate degrees and most hospitals either want you to have a BSN or be in a BSN program. The associate's program is also more competitive and more difficult because you have less time to learn things.

grechi2009 · Mar 18, 2009

like the other replies have said if you want your msn you need a bsn but you can work your way up from rn to bsn to msn there are some rn to msn programs as well i work at a hospital and you can get hired with just a adn the pay is the same when you are starting out but if you have a bsn you can become a clinical manager and have more opportunities to move up unless you have been a RN with a ADN for over ten years either way both programs are very hard to get into many hospitals offer assistance to further your education