ADN versus BSN – Which Nursing Degree is better?
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), which degree is better? I think we all can agree that the BSN means more job opportunities than an ADN, however, both degrees earned from a top online nursing school can lead to earning your RN degree. But why choose a BSN over an ADN? Read further to learn more.
ADN versus BSN Nursing Degree Program
There is no question about the differences between two degrees. The ADN program may offer more clinical experience than the BSN program, or vice versa. One of the main differences however, is the number of years required to complete the online program. An ADN can be earned in 2 years or less with accelerated programs and a BSN typically takes 4 years to earn. Accelerated online nursing degree programs are available and can speed up the length of time it takes to complete the online degree program. With accelerated nursing programs, it takes approximately 18 months to complete a BSN degree online.
Glimpse at Online ADN and BSN Coursework
Both online degree programs will cover some of the same areas such as:
- Psychiatric nursing
- Adult health
- Maternal and newborn nursing
- Pediatrics
- Community health nursing
- Nursing informatics
- Public health
- Leadership
- Case management
Advantages of Earning a BSN Over an ADN
There are several reasons why earning a BSN instead of an ADN is better. Take a look at some advantages of earning a BSN degree instead of an AND degree:
- More job opportunities
- Required for advanced degrees
- Better job prospects
- More advancement opportunities
- Earning potential is much higher
- BSN degree provide a much better education than the ADN program
- Required for admittance to some online nursing schools
ADN versus BSN: Career with an Online Degree in Nursing
If nursing is something that you really want to do, take the time to research which degree level you want to pursue. There are various online nursing degrees, specialties and online nursing diploma programs that you can choose from, so research each program and pick one that is aligned well with your career goals. If you are not sure where to begin, you can start at the ADN level then take it step by step until you get where you want to be in your career. Or, you can go straight for the BSN degree, and then if you wish to advance to the masters degree level or higher, it will take a shorter time to complete and you can also do this through accelerated nursing programs which will allow you to complete your degree online in a shorter time frame than traditional nursing programs.
Online Nursing Degree Program Choices
If you want to embark upon a nursing career, there are some questions that need to answered; such as ‘Are ADN students getting a better education than BSN students? Do ADN students receive more clinical experience than BSN students? ADN and BSN students: what are your opinions? ADN versus BSN – Which nursing degree is better?
