RN: ADN and BSN Differences
Aspiring registered nurses (RNs) have two main educational paths to choose from: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). While either degree will lead you to become an RN, there are some significant differences between the two. This article will discuss the differences between the two degrees and the pros and cons of each in order to help you decide which path is right for you.
What is a Registered Nurse (RN)?
A registered nurse is a licensed healthcare professional who provides multifaceted and complex nursing care to patients. RNs are trained to give care to patients who may be medically unstable and require advanced nursing interventions. Because registered nurses operate under their own licenses, they do not require direct supervision to perform tasks within their scope of practice. RNs work collaboratively with mid-level providers (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and physicians.
In order to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), you must have completed at least an Associate Degree in Nursing. Registered nurses are a critical part of the healthcare team, and they work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient centers, educational institutions, clinics, home health, long-term care facilities, and more.
Examples of clinical tasks performed by RNs include:
- Conducting patient assessments
- Administering medications
- Administering blood products
- Administering chemotherapy agents
- Obtaining vital signs and monitoring patients for changes in condition
- Inserting and maintaining intravenous lines, nasogastric tubes, and urinary catheters
- Performing phlebotomy
- Obtaining specimens for laboratory testing
- Providing basic and advanced wound care
- Providing education to patients and their families
Differences Between ADN-Prepared Nurses and BSN-Prepared Nurses
Deciding whether to pursue an ADN or BSN degree is a big decision and there are pros and cons to each. While both will allow you the opportunity to become an RN, there are several variables to consider that will affect your career goals, earning potential, and more.
Education and Training
There are a couple of key differences between the education and training of an ADN-prepared nurse versus a BSN-prepared nurse.
ADN programs usually take around 2 years to complete. They may be completed entirely in person or in a hybrid format. The ADN curriculum typically includes general education courses and prerequisite courses such as Anatomy and Physiology, pharmacology, health assessment, adult health, mental health, pediatrics, and maternal-newborn. Nursing courses will usually have a didactic, lab, and clinical component.
During the didactic component, students are taught new information in the classroom or online by their professor. A number of exams are administered in order to test the student’s knowledge of the material.
During the lab component, students get hands-on practice with nursing skills. Depending on the situation, these skills are often practiced on mannequins or other students.
During the clinical component, students travel to healthcare sites to gain experience with real patients. Most nursing courses require a certain number of clinical hours, which are state-specific and determined by the state Board of Nursing.
Because ADN programs are shorter, they will usually cost less than a BSN program.
BSN programs usually take around 4 years to complete. Similar to ADN programs, they can take place entirely in person or in a hybrid format. The BSN curriculum includes all of the same classes as the ADN program, but it also usually contains courses related to critical care, leadership, research, laws and ethics, and more. Because of this, BSN-prepared nurses are often considered more “well-rounded” and better prepared to face the many challenges of the nursing profession.
BSN programs usually cost more to complete than an ADN due to the program length.
Salary
Unfortunately, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not differentiate between the salaries of an ADN-prepared registered nurse and a BSN-prepared registered nurse. Instead, salary statistics for all registered nurses are lumped together. The average annual salary for registered nurses in the United States is $81,220.
However, it is reasonable to assume that most ADN-prepared nurses will make a lower salary than a BSN-prepared nurse. The length of time employed can sometimes be a differentiating factor, as well. For example, an ADN-prepared RN who has worked at the company for 20 years is probably going to make more than a BSN-prepared new graduate nurse.
Job Opportunities
Although there are many employers who are willing to hire ADN-prepared nurses, most prefer to hire nurses who have at least a BSN. Some employers even require it. This is especially true for hospital units where specialization is necessary, such as the intensive care unit. Some areas of nursing can be very competitive to break into as a new graduate nurse, but having a BSN automatically moves you ahead of ADN nurses during the recruitment process.
When deciding between an ADN or BSN, it is important to consider how job opportunities and employment settings may be limited if you only have an ADN. With a BSN, you are qualified for a much larger range of nursing opportunities.
Career Advancement Opportunities
BSN-prepared nurses are more likely to be chosen to advance into leadership and management roles compared to ADN-prepared nurses. In fact, many employers require at least a BSN to obtain these types of roles. If you see yourself wanting to transition into a leadership role at some point in your nursing career, obtaining your BSN is a wise choice.
However, it is important to note that some employers provide tuition assistance to ADN nurses to go back to school and obtain their BSN. Tuition assistance programs can ease some of the financial burden, but they are often accompanied by important stipulations.
For example, some employers may require the employee to continue working for them for a specified number of years after finishing their degree. If the employee chooses to resign or is terminated before the commitment is completed, the employee is obligated to pay a portion of the tuition back to the employer.
It is important to consider this type of situation prior to committing to any type of tuition reimbursement program.
Graduate School Entry
Having a BSN provides you with a shorter, more direct path into graduate school, should you wish to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in the future.
It is possible to obtain an MSN with an ADN, but you would need to enroll in an RN to MSN program, which would take significantly longer to complete than a traditional BSN to MSN program.
Patient Outcomes
While it may be controversial, several studies have indicated that patient outcomes are better when the nursing care is provided by BSN-prepared nurses, including patient mortality rates, readmission rates, and length of stay.
This may partially be due to the fact that BSN programs are longer and more complex, thus providing more opportunities to hone the students’ critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills.
How to Choose Between an ADN or BSN
Whether to pursue an ADN or BSN is a very personal decision. Keep in mind that both paths are academically rigorous and demanding. One is not necessarily easier than the other–nursing school is hard, no matter what!
Some general factors to consider when researching your decision:
- Finances
- Career goals
- Personal responsibilities (i.e., childcare)
- Work responsibilities
There is no right or wrong answer to this. Only you know your unique situation and what you are reasonably capable of accomplishing. The best answer is the one that best aligns with your career goals and your personal life.
