What Is a BSN vs. RN in Nursing? FAQ
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What is a BSN in nursing, and how does it compare to an RN? If you’re just entering the medical field or you’ve just started to learn about nursing education, you’ve probably noticed that medicine is full of acronyms and initialisms. RN, BSN, ADN, LPN — each of these is a different nursing qualification or degree. Depending on your unique needs, you might want to pursue one over the others.
First let’s break down some of the most common acronyms in nursing:
- RN (registered nurse): A legal license that allows you to practice nursing in your state. To become an RN, you can pursue an ADN or BSN degree.
- ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): A two-year degree that prepares nurses for practice.
- BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): A four-year degree that prepares nurses for practice. Bo
Each of these might sound similar, but depending on the degree path you pursue, you might have different job opportunities down the road. Also, these qualifications may be associated with slightly different salaries.
What Is a BSN Degree?
In nursing, a BSN is an undergraduate degree and the highest level of preparatory education to enter the field. Today, many employers prefer if you have earned a bachelor of science in nursing degree. BSN degree-prepared nurses have been shown to improve patient outcomes. As nursing professionalism evolves, some leaders in the field believe the BSN should be the required entry degree for new nurses. Today, more than 70% of nurses in the workforce have a BSN.
While ADN degrees teach the basics of nursing care, the additional coursework in a BSN degree expands on this knowledge base. For example, nurses with a BSN usually take these courses as well as the classes that ADN-prepared nurses take:
- Global and population health
- Nursing professionalism
- Healthcare policy and economics
- Writing composition
- Leadership and professional growth
What Is a BSN vs. RN?
A BSN is a degree, while an RN is a legal license to practice nursing. If you want to become an RN, going to a four-year university to get your BSN is one way to be qualified to take the licensure exam.
You might have seen nursing credentials listed on staff badges at clinicals and wondered, What is a BSN nurse? These acronyms can be confusing because of how they’re listed behind someone’s name.
Compared to a BSN degree, an ADN is a shorter — and often less expensive — path to licensure. ADN-prepared nurses still go through rigorous coursework and clinical practice to train them in patient care, but they take fewer professional development classes. If entering the nursing workforce quickly is your priority, getting an ADN degree might be right for you. Learn more about comparing BSN and ADN degrees.
Even though their educations are slightly different, ADN- and BSN-prepared nurses take the same NCLEX for RN licensure, and they work alongside each other in post-acute and acute care settings. Their scope of practice is the same, and they can both get advanced specialty certifications.
How to Go From RN to BSN: 3 Steps
How fast can you go from RN to BSN? Depending on how much time you have for classes, you can earn a BSN in as little as a year. Learn how below.
Step 1: Research ADN-to-BSN Programs
A BSN bridge program presents a few different options:
- Online/hybrid: It’s possible to complete a bridge program remotely, with many programs offering didactic coursework online. Depending on the program, there may be a practicum or service learning component that you’ll complete in-person.
- Full-time/part-time/self-paced: Many students work while completing their BSN degrees, and programs typically offer flexibility so you can structure studies around your life. If you plan to work during school, you might want to consider part-time or per diem nursing jobs.
How much does an RN to BSN program cost? This will depend on several factors, including location, institution, and how long your degree takes. Some employers will help with tuition. Learn more about grants and scholarships for nursing school.
Here are a few sample ADN-to-BSN programs and their posted tuition before fees:
- Aspen University: $11,850
- Ohio University: $319 per credit hour for in-state tuition and $324 per credit hour for out-of-state tuition (program is 31 credit hours)
- Montana State University Northern: $6,981.80 per year for in-state tuition and $21,874.36 per year for out-of-state tuition
Step 2: Complete Applications and Apply
Typically, schools require the following information from applicants:
- Hold a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all previous college coursework
- Complete general education requirements
- Complete prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C
Schools also typically require an application fee. See programs in your area for more specific application instructions.
Step 3: Complete Your BSN and Graduate
Once you’re admitted to school, you’ll enroll in courses such as:
- Health issues of vulnerable populations
- Informatics for professional nurses
- Transitioning to baccalaureate education in nursing
- Scientific basis for evidence-based practice
- Nurse as professional leader and manager
- Gerontological practice
- Capstone experience
- Learning with technology
- Community health nursing
BSN to RN FAQ
What are basic BSN degree requirements?
If you are applying to a BSN program, you’ll need to complete some basic requirements first. In many four-year schools, you’ll enter as a freshman without a major and enroll in prerequisite courses for the first year or two. Once you’ve completed your prerequisites, you can apply for the nursing program within your school. These are some of the most common requirements to enter nursing school:
- Prerequisite courses for nurses such as anatomy and physiology, biology, and chemistry
- A cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Standardized test scores such as the HESI, TEAS, or NLN PAX
How long does it take to get a BSN?
Standard BSN programs take at least four years to complete. However, if you’ve already completed your prerequisite courses at a community college or university, some accelerated programs may be faster — some take as little as one year. You might also be able to finish your bachelor’s degree earlier by taking courses over the summer.
If you’re an ADN-prepared nurse thinking about going back to school for your bachelor’s, bridge programs can be even shorter. RN-to-BSN programs are often online and can take just a few semesters.
What are the benefits of a BSN degree?
BSN is a great long-term career choice because it opens you up to more leadership opportunities, career opportunities, and the ability to make more money as a nurse. If you want to grow your nursing career into academics, research, or becoming a nurse practitioner, a BSN is the best choice.
On the other hand, you can always go the faster track with an ADN, become an RN, and go back to school for your BSN. No matter what track you choose, the nursing field is full of opportunities for professional growth and continued learning.
What is a BSN salary compared to an ADN salary?
What’s a BSN worth? Well, while both degrees prepare you for the same career, you may have a lower salary as an ADN-prepared nurse. Typically, ADN nurses earn between $69,000 and $73,000 per year, while nurses with a BSN generally make between $70,000 and $74,000 per year.
Looking to increase your earnings? If you’re open to a nationwide job search, you’ll find some of the highest registered nurse salaries in these states:
Put Your Degree to Work
What is a BSN or ADN nurse to do when they’re looking for new opportunities? IntelyCare can help. If you’re on the hunt for your next nursing job, sign up for personalized nursing job notifications to find the latest opportunities.