BSN vs ASN: Differences in Education, Roles, Salary, and More
As one of the most humane professions, the nursing field has increased in the last few years. Due to the increased demand for healthcare services and the need to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions, this occupation has one of the highest employment rates in the industry.
Different positions within this field serve additional purposes but have the same importance. In this guide, we will go through the differences between Associates's in Nursing and Bachelor's in Nursing degrees to decide which one fits you the best.
What Is an Associate in Nursing?
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN/ADN) program requires two years to complete and is designed for individuals who wish to work as registered nurses (RNs) in the medical field. This program provides various medical courses and hands-on training, preparing you to take the NCLEX exam.
The Associate Degree in Nursing is considered the first step to entering a career in medicine since it is also required for students who wish to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Pros and cons of an ADN degree
An ADN degree allows students to gain a strong foundation for a successful career in healthcare while also allowing them to enter the field of nursing quickly.
An ADN degree also has the following benefits:
It takes a lot less time and money than getting a BSN. Usually, it takes two years to complete an ADN program.
It fulfills the educational and clinical requirements for taking the NCLEX-RN exam.
It allows you to start working as an RN sooner than you could with a four-year BSN.
Candidates with limited experience and education are eligible because the admission requirements are relatively low.
While an Associate of Degree in Nursing is a cheap and effective way to start a career as a registered nurse, it has some drawbacks. The following are some of the disadvantages of having an ADN:
Your salary may be lower than that of other RNs with a BSN.
You may still need to get your BSN. RNs across several states are required to have a BSN. If you are working in one of these states, you must obtain your BSN within ten years of receiving your RN license.
Advancement in your career may be limited. Numerous leadership and advanced practice nursing positions necessarily require a higher education level.
What Is a Bachelor in Nursing?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for registered nurses (RNs). It covers patient care, research, technology, health promotion, safety, and quality within the healthcare system.
A BSN can help you boost your nursing skills, make you more employable in the market, and increase your job opportunities. It frequently comes before the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which is open to BSN nurses who want to level up their careers.
Pros and cons of a BSN degree
A bachelor's degree will prepare a student for an entry-level position as a staff nurse if they choose to make it their first educational experience. A BSN degree also prepares the student for managerial and operational roles that are not readily available to nurses who only have an associate's degree or diploma.
Some of the greatest advantages of earning a BSN include:
A BSN opens up the field of nursing by providing more opportunities for professional growth and autonomy. Obtaining a BSN makes it easier to get a job in nursing administration, education, or advanced practice.
The majority of employers strongly prefer to hire nurses with a BSN.
Nurses who complete a BSN often receive bonuses and pay raises from their employers.
While there are numerous advantages to obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, you can notice some cons. Some of the main disadvantages of earning a BSN include:
It typically requires four years to finish and is very demanding. You'll have to balance your educational obligations and work, family life, and leisure time.
Because you'll be in school for a longer time for a BSN, you can expect to pay more for your degree.
BSN vs ASN: The main differences
The significant difference between ASN and BSN programs is the length of time required to complete each and the cost.
In addition, after completing either of these programs, registered nurses will have different job roles and responsibilities and different career advancement and salaries.
Differences in education
The first BSN vs ASN difference starts in the amount of education required for each position. An ADN usually requires two years of study at a community college or other academic institution. Accelerated programs are frequently available for experienced nurses who entered the area with a diploma and later earned an RN designation. These RNs have the option of transferring credits, which can help them finish their degree in less time.
As part of an ADN degree program, aspiring nurses learn how to provide care for patients, such as monitoring them and modifying health records. These programs are designed to assist students in learning nursing concepts. Clinical rotations are also included in these programs because they allow students to gain hands-on experience. After earning an ADN, students can obtain their licensing, which means passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) successfully.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs usually take four years to complete, but accelerated programs are available for those with prior nursing experience. BSN programs offer students a more comprehensive nursing education that often includes classes in pharmacology, ethics, and other advanced topics.
Nursing theory and concepts are studied in BSN programs through courses like community health, developing nursing practice, case management, and nursing research. These higher-level classes prepare students to handle more complicated nursing duties and activities by providing them with the necessary skills and expertise. Students who earn a BSN must pass the NCLEX and fulfill other requirements to earn the license.
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Differences in curriculum
The ADN program's curriculum is designed to help students establish the fundamental skills needed for various entry-level nursing positions, including physical assessment, clinical judgment, and patient-centered care.
The ADN explores topics like health promotion, nursing theory, and evidence-based practice, all connected by a core curriculum of liberal arts courses. An ADN program includes anatomy, microbiology, nutrition, and chemistry, and you have to complete a specific number of clinical hours.
A bachelor's degree in nursing includes additional courses beyond the ADN level that help nurses understand the complex issues that affect both patients and the healthcare environment.
BSN programs include fundamental courses that teach students nursing skills, knowledge, and clinical practice to aid in hands-on learning in healthcare settings. The BSN curriculum includes management, leadership, public health, social sciences, critical thinking, and communication. Furthermore, a BSN program provides leadership training for nurses interested in administrative, research, or teaching positions.
Differences in skills
Individuals who wish to obtain an ADN degree learn through hands-on practice, and besides the required medical skills, they also learn a set of soft skills. Registered nurses holding an ADN are great communicators, successful medication administrators, and team workers.
A BSN degree program will provide students with fundamental nursing skills and will make them great critical thinkers, problem solvers, and successful leaders.
Differences in roles and responsibilities
BSN vs ASN also comes with different roles and responsibilities that nurses hold in the workplace. Nurses holding an ADN degree work in all four nursing specialties: adult, pediatric, mental health, and learning disability. Their skills and duties will differ according to the type of care they provide. An RN with an ADN degree may perform clinical tasks such as venepuncture and ECGs and assist individuals, their families, and caregivers when faced with uncomfortable news and life-changing diagnoses.
Furthermore, they are in charge of discussing and sharing information with registered nurses about a patient's medical illness, behavior, activity, and responses while ensuring individuals' confidentiality, integrity, and safety at all times. They undertake and record clinical observations such as blood pressure, temperature, respiration, and pulse and identify issues concerning the protection of vulnerable children and adults.
On the other hand, a BSN degree will provide registered nurses with new roles and responsibilities. A registered nurse holding a BSN degree can incorporate management and leadership skills into their work, as well as evidence-based practices, critical and creative thinking, and ethical decision-making to provide highly accurate results.
Registered nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing are excellent communicators. They effectively collaborate and communicate with patients, families, and team members to ensure a safe environment. BSN registered nurses also create, maintain, and coordinate patient care for individuals, groups, and entire populations from a holistic, visionary, culturally competent, and fiscally responsible perspective.
Differences in salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2020, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $75,330, which equals $36.22 per hour. The lowest 10% earned less than $53,410, while the highest 10% earned more than $116,230.
The average salary for RNs working full-time with an associate's degree in nursing is $72,000 per year. This is the average salary for all ADN-educated RNs, regardless of experience, setting, employer, or specialty.
Differences in job outlook
The employment of BSN registered nurses is projected to grow by 9 percent in the next decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 194,500 new job openings for registered nurses holding a BSN degree are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
The predicted employment growth for ADN graduates over the next five years is much slower but much more consistent from year to year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the development will range from 1.15 percent to 1.19 percent in any given year, for 6.03 percent and the addition of 57,840 new ADN-educated RNs to the workplace.
Differences in career advancement
Individuals who pursue an ADN degree can advance their careers by obtaining a BSN and specializing. ADN graduates may pursue specialty certifications for positions in various healthcare settings. They are as follows: geriatrics, oncology, pediatrics, critical care, and dialysis.
The primary goal of BSN programs is for students to broaden their scope of practice and have the opportunity for continued professional development. An RN with a BSN has more chances to advance in clinical leadership and pursue more diverse career opportunities such as management, administration, research, and informatics.
BSN vs ASN: Which one is the right one?
ADN and BSN programs each offer different pros and cons. The right nursing program for you is the one that best fits your interests and your future plans. If you want to earn a degree and start working right away, an ADN program is ideal for you; however, you should choose a BSN program if you want to constantly advance your career and have more responsibilities and better pay.