What is the real difference between ASN and BSN???

eltrip · Jul 23, 2002

In real life, in bedside nursing, there isn't a discernable difference between ASN/ADN & BSN nurses. I graduated with a BSN in '94, mightily concerned about my lack of clinical expertise. Our program director assured me & the rest of our class that we'd have our skills within a year...and I did. The following year, I worked with new grads from a local ADN program & they knocked my socks off. 2 of them were great nurses...the other ADNs were about as lost as I'd been when I started.

The difference tends to come in when one wants to leave bedside nursing. Having the BSN made it possible to have the job that I currently have. It usually (but not always) opens more doors & provides more options than having an ASN/ADN.

Good luck in your educational endeavors! :)

Joy

2amigos · Jul 23, 2002

Thanks, that's kinda what I thought. I definately would like to have that option open to me. It's just so weird when you're just at the beginning stages of learning. Allnurses.com is a godsend! Thanks for taking the time to post to my question. I really do appreciate it.

eltrip · Jul 23, 2002

No problem. Glad to be of help! Allnurses.com is the place where many brains tackle lots of interesting problems!

Joy

rbez · Jul 23, 2002

2amigos,

I think you may have been misinformed about BSN requirements - you do not need to be an RN unless you are referring to an "RN to BSN" program. Otherwise, the enrollment to a generic BSN is just like a community college. You take your prerequisites (about 30 hours) and then your nursing courses. Most of the time, the prerequisite classes you take at a community college are fully transferrable to BSN programs.

Good luck & best wishes

lindagio · Jul 24, 2002

I believe ADN programs recieve more clinical experience. I went to an ADN( graduating in 2 weeks) We take the same board. I never understood the major discrpancy between the two. I plan to work a year and do the RN to Masters program. I will skip over the BSN. I need more core classes.

prmenrs, RN · Jul 25, 2002

One word: OPTIONS. As an ADN, you will be at the bedside. You may be a shift charge or NM, but to go any further than that, or to branch into education, research, etc., you need a BSN--MINIMUM!

shygirl · Jul 25, 2002

the difference could mean alot more money.

2amigos · Jul 25, 2002

Thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it everyone!

Mkue · Jul 25, 2002

Originally posted by lindagio
I believe ADN programs recieve more clinical experience. I went to an ADN( graduating in 2 weeks) We take the same board. I never understood the major discrpancy between the two. I plan to work a year and do the RN to Masters program. I will skip over the BSN. I need more core classes.

lindagio, I'm thinking of going that route too, RN to Masters someday.

Congradulations on your upcoming Graduation !!

Good Luck

Marie:balloons: :nurse:

eltrip · Jul 25, 2002

I have an idea or two to throw your way. Bear with me, please. I enjoy being a student. I remember thinking that I'd love to be a professional student, except that I wouldn't be able to support myself with it. Then I attended nursing school & acquired my BSN. Mind you, I already had a B.A. In English at that, with a minor in German. I took my prereqs, no problem. I was workin' full-time, takin' 17 hours & lovin' it. I pulled a 3.8 that semester. I had a 3.6 the following semester. Then I started my nursing classes. We lost 30% of the class in the first semester. I did fairly well & pulled a C out of that class. My grades improved over the following 3 semesters, but never reached as high as when I was taking my prerequisites. It positively wore me out, even with reducing my work hours to 30 per week.

After I graduated, the thought of additional education became repulsive to me. I had absolutely no desire to go for my MSN & become an FNP as I'd dreamed of doing before. It's now been 8 years since I graduated and I'm finally looking at starting grad school. If I'd just gone for the ADN instead of BSN, I wouldn't have been eligible for my current position.

These days I wish I'd just gone for the bridge program at Vanderbilt & gotten the MSN instead of going for the lower-cost option. I'd be finished with grad school & not looking at trying to parent, work, and go to school all while being the best wife possible AND be active in my church .

Think about it. And, hey, I'm not judging anyone on their choices or opinions. This is just a point of view from where I sit.

Have a blessed day, ya'll

Joy