Career Corner >> Career Advice >> ADN vs BSN?
ADN vs BSN?
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Posted 6 months ago So I know this is a very debated topic and I just wanted to hear what some actual nurses had to say about this. I am graduating next year from a 4 year college with a BS in anthropology but really want to get into nursing. There is a local community college that has a decent program for an ADN and I really just want to start working plus I don't have a lot of the requirements for the BSN so I would probably have to go to school again for a year before just to get those. But I don't want to get out of school with an ADN to find that most hospitals only accept nurses with BSN. Basically would it be better to get an ADN, find a job (i live in the chicago area) and if I need to later get a BSN or masters? Or should I just tough out the 4 more odd years and just get a BSN? Advice? thanks! |
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| Posted 6 months ago I have my ADN...........its kept me employed, and I wish I had a fire lit under my butt to finish up my degree. I'm working on my bsn now, I hope to graduate by Christmas. My advice.........dont procrastinate like me! Im a bad influence to myself We only have one heart, take care of it! Angie |
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| Posted 6 months ago Here are some helpful articles: Where Are We On This Issue? ADN vs. BSNADN vs. BSN: Which should you choose?Then share your thoughts here! |
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| Posted 6 months ago I will be graduating in December with ADN and am not sure if I will continue on and get my BSN. The hospital I currently work for does not pay anymore if you have a diploma from a nuursing school, a ADN or BSN. They are although urging nurses to go on and get their BSN because they are trying to achieve their Magnet status and claim that they have a better chance if they have a percentage of nurses with a BSN. My nurse manager graduated from a diploma program and never went any furthur and is now back in school after more than 20 years for her BSN or she will lose her job. In my area I can't see where there is a difference in the ADN or BSN as far a pay but if you plan on moving elsewhere then maybe or if you would like to be a nurse manager, shich I would never do. I think the only reason I would go for the BSN is for my own personal satisfaction. Our service to others is the rent we pay while here on earth!! |
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| Posted 6 months ago There are many programs that are geared for people who already have a bachelors degree in another field. You would need the traditional prereqs. Anatomy/physicology, chemistry, microbiology, but alot of credits can be transfered from your current degree. I suggest getting the BSN, not only can you get in the door of the hospital easier, you have more opportunity for professional growth. When I attended nursing school, several peers were on a fast track degree program because they obtained a bachelors degree before nursing. It only took them 18 months to get thier BSN. |
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| Posted 6 months ago Seems that the question of ADN or BSN really boils down to what you want out of nursing! It wasn't that long ago that an ADN was possible to complete in two years, but since the advent of so many new pre-reqs (based upon the number of student failures mid program) it's impossible to finish a 2 year program in less than 3 years, and then to receive a BSN the expectation is of at least 18 months if not 2 years additional. BSN programs however can be completed on time, 4 years, with the same course study (yep, all those nursing courses are the same whether taught at a university or community college setting) and the addition of Leadership courses Specific to Nursing (OK, there is some theory and Nursing studies.) Interestingly enough, ADN's have a higher NCLEX passing record nationally than do BSN's... For whatever reason. And yet, BSN's are often required when hospitals are in search of management positions (yes, those Leadership courses really pay off!). And then of course there are advanced pratice nursing... can't get there without a BSN. So what good IS an ADN program... They turn out skilled, exceptional nurses who truly enjoy patient contact. If there is a possibility of step two to your Nursing carreer... then BSN is the only road. But if you're happy to work bedside (ICU, ER, OR, MedSurg, etc..) then ride the ADN highway to a great career. |
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| Posted 3 months ago I am a 4th semester nursing student in an ADN program. Before nursing I was a child care director for 15 years. I waited a long time to become a RN. I've put a lot of time and energy into becoming the best and I am very tired of the inference that because I won't have a BSN I will not be good enough. My confusion on that issue is both the ADN and BSN take the same NCLEX to get our liscense. |
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| Posted 3 months ago I have my RN BSN and in the community I live in the hospitals and the nursing homes and so forth could care less, there is no pay differential there is no incentives to help pay back student loans and the jobs for management positions are given to those with experience and most of the older nurses here only have the associate degree, so I feel like I wasted my time and my money for this BSN degree and the only way this BSN degree will help me is if I decide I would like to teach at the community college level which is no pay pretty much at all or if i choose to go back to pursue a masters degree... |
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| Posted 3 months ago DTZRUS1 says ...
Unfortunately, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a highly respected medical think tank that is part of the federal government, does not think highly of ADNs and wants to keep them out of critical care. Their complaint is ADN RNs don't critically think well, and don't understand pathophysiology as well as BSN grads. Unfortunately, BSN grads don't get patho as well as the IOM would like. The problem is with nursing education in general, not the level of the degree. Nursing has evolved and become vastly more complex than it was 20 years ago, yet many nursing schools are still teaching as if it were 20 years ago. Most nursing instructors teach the way they were taught, and most nursing instructors worked for many, many years before getting into education. When you think about it, the amount of time spent on nursing classing between an ADN program and a BSN program isn't much different since BSN grads spend 2 years on pre-req courses and other classes required for a BS degree by the college/university before they ever take a nursing class. And the additional focus in the BSN level is in research and management, not patho. North Carolina is moving to a concept based curriculum starting January 2010 in the community college system. All ADN programs in North Carolina will teach from the same curriculum (making nursing courses transferrable for the first time within the state). Instead of teaching disease processes, programs will teach concepts. If you understand how to take care of a patient with an Oxygenation problem, you will know what to do for a patient regardless of whether he has COPD, asthma, ARDS, or CHF. I am eagerly awaiting implementation of the program. I teach in a NC ADN program, and am already moving to a conceptual base, and I like the results I am getting. Regardless, focus on being the best RN you can be, no matter what your degree. Do that, and no one you work with will care about your degree until you decide to go into staff education or management (then you'll need the BSN). |
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| Posted 3 months ago ADN, BSn you take the same NCLEX and as a BSN you make no more money than an ADN so if all you are interested in is bragging rights to say "I have a BSN" then go for it but when you look at the cost of the BSN you better add in the two years of salary YOU WONT BE RECEIVING as part of the picture. |
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| Posted 2 months ago I am a jackson memorial grad. miami, fl. Large county hospital with nursing emphasis on their clinical rotations. Those that wanted also received their ADN. Grad. early 80's. All grads were easily employed right away. I am currently pursuing BSN degree at GCU. Have been a director of Cardiac Cath Lab, managed and sold a family business, let my nsg. license lapse, had to resit boards and passed; ouch, after being out of nursing for several years. Always believe and still do, ADN nurses have great strengths. Because of the ever changing profession and looming national health care changes on the horizon, continuing education is essential. Keeping up with advancing concepts, understanding information technology, outpatient management, and advanced nursing theory are a must in our constant changing profession. |
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| Posted 2 months ago adn and bsn competencies |
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| Posted 2 months ago ??? Care to continue with statement? Or is that it....... You lost me. "Softly. deftly, music shall caress you. Feel it, hear it, secretly possess you...." |
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| Posted about 1 month ago rcaega says ...
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| Posted about 1 month ago It's funny that this debate is still on-going. I think it depends on what you want to do in nursing, and how soon you want to be working as a nurse. 15 years ago I took a look at the curriculum, weighed the pros and cons of each, and decided that ADN was the way to go for me. I was straight out of high school and wanted to get out and working as soon as possible. The time spent in clinicals in the curriculums at that time was weighted in favor of ADN. 2 years later, I was out and working. I knew that I wanted nothing to do with management (and that still has not changed.) I ended up traveling for a period of time. The only thing I have noticed in my career is that I prefer precepting ADN nurses. Maybe I'm just getting great ADN nurses, but when I look at ADN vs BSN new grads my ADN orientees have had better critical thinking and are much better at prioritization, whereas the BSN's I have precepted have all been fairly task oriented. It was the right decision for me. I will say if you think you are planning to advance to management or other areas where you will need your BSN, then get your BSN first. The more time goes by, the harder it is to go back to school. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago EEARN1 says ...
Thank you. Great post. Ditto on most all your thoughts.
Cheers - Tim, R.N. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago I would suggest you to go forward look for job when you complete your ADN Program. As Angienwgeorgia said she was employed when she was ADN then yhy not you. You can also work and side by side you can also complete your further studies through distance learning. There are lots of online nursing schools that provides different nursing programs. You can go for them also. |
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| Posted 17 days ago There are some really interesting view points out here. From a totally personal point of view, I graduated from Steven-Henager College (with an ADN degree. The program also prepared students to sit for the National Council of Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). As you know, once you pass the NCLEX, you are eligible to apply for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in any of the 50 states or US territories. I found the Associate Degree in Nursing extremely comprehensive and the best part was that it was possible to complete my degree in as little as 15 months. This allowed me to start working and earning so much earlier than if I had stuck it out with a four year BSN program. |
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| Posted 16 days ago angienwgeorgia says ...
OK, im glad I went through the forums and saw this. There is no way in hell I'll be done by Christmas! Reality check here. Now Im looking at spring. I just dont get enough time to study. Im doing RN ADN to BSN program through College network. I wished I hadnt chosen them for financial reasons <its expensive, and I just finished paying of my loans for my ADN a couple years ago> However, at the time when I started I didnt know about other online programs. The thing I like about the College network is is the online atuff is user friendly, I dont have to buy any more books, plus if problems arise I can get somebody on the phone. Im still a bad influence on myself. Kimmy........nursing is a great job and I love it. Anthropology....................my daughter majored in Anthropology, her last year she added economics as a minor..........if it hadnt been for that she wouldnt have been able to get a job. She's a blood sucking banker now..........positive side is a. she paid her car off b) she has her own health insurance c) she moved out last month! Honestly, that child wouldnt have been fed growing up if I hadnt gone to nursing school. Hey, wanna know the quickest way to get rid of a banker? Say the word "secretions". One little word and she's out of my face fast. s We only have one heart, take care of it! Angie |
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| Posted 16 days ago angienwgeorgia says ...
OK, im glad I went through the forums and saw this. There is no way in hell I'll be done by Christmas! Reality check here. Now Im looking at spring. I just dont get enough time to study. Im doing RN ADN to BSN program through College network. I wished I hadnt chosen them for financial reasons <its expensive, and I just finished paying of my loans for my ADN a couple years ago> However, at the time when I started I didnt know about other online programs. The thing I like about the College network is is the online atuff is user friendly, I dont have to buy any more books, plus if problems arise I can get somebody on the phone. Im still a bad influence on myself. Kimmy........nursing is a great job and I love it. Anthropology....................my daughter majored in Anthropology, her last year she added economics as a minor..........if it hadnt been for that she wouldnt have been able to get a job. She's a blood sucking banker now..........positive side is a. she paid her car off b) she has her own health insurance c) she moved out last month! Honestly, that child wouldnt have been fed growing up if I hadnt gone to nursing school. Hey, wanna know the quickest way to get rid of a banker? Say the word "secretions". One little word and she's out of my face fast. s We only have one heart, take care of it! Angie |
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| Posted 16 days ago My whole point is that I regret not getting my BSN earlier. Good luck! We only have one heart, take care of it! Angie |
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| Posted 14 days ago angienwgeorgia says ...
I am getting my ADN through college net/excelsior. If it wasnt for the fact I dont want to trash my credit I would give up on them and go through a more traditional program. I am having SUCH a hard time with the self motivation lately. I havent cracked my book in a month. UGH "Softly. deftly, music shall caress you. Feel it, hear it, secretly possess you...." |
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| Posted 13 days ago Good luck |
