ADN vs. BSN Nursing Degrees: Which is Right for You?

There are two educational pathways to becoming a registered nurse (RN): the associate degree in nursing (ADN) and the baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN).

• There are two pathways to become an RN.

Setting

• You can earn an ADN at a community, or junior, college. BSN programs, on the other hand, are offered through colleges and universities.

Duration

• The ADN is a two-year degree, while it takes four or more years to earn a BSN. After graduation, both ADN and BSN graduates are eligible to take a national examination known as the NCLEX to earn state-specific licensure as an RN.

Courses

• Both ADN and BSN programs offer a combination of didactic learning and clinical practice. BSN programs typically offer more specialized clinical practice in areas such as community health nursing and nursing leadership.

Considerations

• Nurses with a BSN have taken classes in nursing theory and research that better prepare them for positions in research, education and advanced clinical practice.

Job Market

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses with a BSN will have more options as they advance along their career paths. Many health care positions are open only to BSN-prepared nurses and BSNs as a rule earn more.