ADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Degree Is Better For You?

Being a nurse is a highly respectable profession, Not to mention highly rewarding too. Job opportunities are great and job security is very high. If you want to choose Nursing as your career, there are several academic pathways available. The two most prominent ones are the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

So which one to choose? This blog post is a discussion of ADN vs BSN. We will discuss the Differences, career opportunities, and advantages/disadvantages of both. This blog post will cover:

• Differences in education
• Differences in growth opportunities
• Pros and Cons of both degrees
• Similarities among them

Graduates from both programs will become registered nurses (RN). Both types of nurses are well-trained to care for their patients. But what differences come with these degrees? And which degree path should you choose?

What is ADN and What is BSN?

Before we start, Let’s define what these degrees are. ADN is an associate degree, called an Associate degree in nursing. ADN is a 2-year program that focuses on providing clinical skills for patient care. A BSN is a 4-year bachelor’s degree, Bachelor of Science in nursing. A BSN focuses on nursing theory, leadership, and research along with more comprehensive patient care education.

Choosing one in the comparison of ADN vs BSN is an important decision and will impact your future career, earning potential, and growth prospects.

ADN vs BSN: Timeframe

Course Duration

In the debate of ADN vs BSN, the time factor is possibly the most crucial. A person with a BSN would have graduated from a four-year nursing program at a college, university, or nursing school. In contrast, a person with an ADN has graduated from a two-year nursing school.

Though most BSN programs take four years to complete, do keep in mind that depending on your prior education or experience in other healthcare professions, there are several possibilities to shorten the time needed to earn a bachelor’s.

Quick Entry Into The Workforce

In the debate of ADN vs BSN, it is important to know that Some individuals choose the ADN degree route to enter the workforce quickly, with the option to obtain a BSN later through an RN–to-BSN program. Or, individuals who have already graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in another field and want to change careers can pursue second-degree options to complete their BSN in a shorter amount of time.

ADN vs BSN: Difference In Education

Curriculum Differences

Another core difference Between ADN vs BSN is That both BSN degree and ADN degree programs contain similar core courses and clinical hours to teach nursing skills and provide future caregivers with hands-on learning by working around real patients. But BSN degree programs include a few additional courses than ADN degree programs.

As compared with ADN graduates, the course work for BSN degree holders has more emphasis on theoretical work, critical thinking, professionalism in content, management, leadership, and research.

These additional courses are meant to provide students with a heightened understanding of patient care and healthcare delivery issues and thus incorporate more professional development. Therefore professional nurses with a BSN are also considered better prepared for supervisory and management roles.

BSN on the other hand will gain additional clinical experience with more exposure to different aspects of patient care like community health and mental health.

Clinical Experiences

Both of these degrees differ in terms of clinical experiences required to graduate. Even though Both courses provide clinical experience to the students, the amount and type of clinical experience differ greatly.

Clinical experience of ADN will focus on technical aspects of patient care. They will learn hands-on skills such as administering medicines, monitoring, and assisting with patient care.

ADN vs BSN: Differences In Career Opportunities

Both of these degrees lead to the career of a Registered Nurse. There are some differences in the career opportunities of both programs.

Entry Level Positions

ADN-qualified nurses are qualified to work in entry-level roles. Usually staff nurses, or charge nurses. As compared to BSN the salary packages will be small and the job market may be saturated because of low entry barriers. BSN-qualified nurses on the other hand will have more advanced positions to work at with better salary packages.

Advance Nursing Responsibilities

The responsibilities level among both nurses will change as well. A BSN-qualified nurse might enjoy better job security or career opportunities but will be responsible for more complex work as compared to ADN qualified nurse. BSN degree holders will be in nursing management, education, or specialized roles.

Earning Potential & career outlook

ADN degree and BSN degree graduates are both registered nurses. The degrees prepare graduates for entry-level positions. They usually work side by side caring for patients: They administer care, monitor patients’ symptoms, and update medical charts, among several other duties. However, nurses with BSN degrees deal with a greater variety of duties than nurses with ADN. 

As mentioned earlier, The BSN degree also opens doors for leadership and management positions. If you are looking to work in nursing specialties like public health, education, and research, you will need a BSN degree.

A real-time job posting analysis software from Burning-Glass.com examined more than 1 million nursing jobs posted over the past year and found in the comparison of ADN vs BSN that RNs with an ADN degree met the minimum education requirements listed for 59 percent of openings, while RNs with a BSN qualified for 98 percent of the jobs advertised.

Both BSN and ADN degrees prepare nurses for entry-level roles. However, as mentioned BSN degree is structured to offer more career opportunities for upward mobility, which naturally comes with a bigger paycheck.

The starting salary for a registered nurse with a BSN can be similar to what an ADN nurse earns. However, RNs with an ADN degree may land entry-level positions that will provide them with $40,250 on average. At the same time, RNs with a BSN can earn up to a mean annual income of about $71,730. Data has established that BSN nurses potentially earn more than nurses with an AND. But a two-year ADN offers a faster path to graduation and, in turn, employment. That means that after only two years, you can earn your associate degree and take the NCLEX nurse licensing test. So, as compared to a student who’s seeking his or her BSN, you’ll be out earning

Pros and Cons of ADN vs BSN

ADN vs BSN: Accreditation

Between ADN vs BSN, an edge attributed to the BSN is that you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCLEX Exam takers who graduated with a bachelor’s degree (BSN) are more likely to pass it on their first attempt. It will be easier to get affiliations and accreditation if you have BSN rather than ADN. 

Experience and Depth of skill

BSN graduates have an advantage over ADN graduates in comparison of ADN vs BSN. Various research has shown that health centers with BSN-qualified nurses have experienced improved patient outcomes and care quality. Moreover, studies indicated a positive correlation between hiring BSN nurses and lowered patient mortality, fewer medical errors, and better communication.

The above doesn’t mean that ADN nurses offer less care than nurses with a BSN degree. It is just that they are better trained, prepared, and ready to tackle more jobs thanks to their extensive education in the field. The elaborate curriculum and clinical hours enable BSN nurses to meet patients’ nursing needs better and deliver safe, effective patient care.

ADN vs BSN: Which Degree Is Right For You? Final Thoughts

So which one should you opt for? An ADN or a BSN? Consider the following:

• Career Goals
• Financial situation
• Personal preferences
• Availability of time and money to invest in a more comprehensive education

Obtaining an ADN allows you to get registered as a nurse and start working two years earlier. Completing a BSN degree gives you an advantage over available career prospects in both the short-term and long-term outlook. According to Franklin University’s Program Chair for Nursing, Dr. Gail Baumlein, “When filling an open position for nursing between two candidates, if all other elements are equal, the position will most likely go to the person with the BSN.”