ADN vs. BSN: What Are the Differences & Which One Is Better For You

There are two main educational routes to becoming a registered nurse (RN) – an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Your choice of program can affect your educational experience, as well as your professional outcomes. While earning a BSN may take longer than getting an ADN, it also comes with a better salary, improved patient outcomes, and more career opportunities.

There are some significant differences between ADN and BSN degrees that you should take into account before choosing the right one for you. While both prepare you for the same examination and nursing role, the programs differ based on the resources and time you have to devote to the completion of the curriculum, and they also result in diverging patient outcomes, salary expectations, and future opportunities.

In this ADN vs. BSN comparison, we will explore all the advantages, disadvantages, and differences between the ADN and BSN degrees so you can be a step closer to deciding on the right nursing program!

What do ADN and BSN mean?

What Do ADN and BSN Mean?

The ADN and BSN degrees are the two direct and most popular educational paths to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Both programs prepare learners for basic nursing care tasks, such as recording patient symptoms and medical history, educating patients on diseases, working closely with doctors, and using simple medical equipment. However, the extent of preparation, curriculum, and post-graduation opportunities differ.

What Is an ADN?

An Associate Degree in Nursing is the shortest possible educational program and the minimum required to become a registered nurse. Completing it takes, on average, two years, and its curriculum fully prepares you to sit the NCLEX-RN, the exam required to practice as an RN.

There are also similar degrees to an ADN, such as the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN), which can be earned in a similar period of learning and prepare you for the same role and tasks. The only differences are in the amount of practical knowledge and preparation that you receive while learning. ADN-level education is also a popular choice for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to advance their education via a shorter LPN to RN bridge program.

For instance, the LPN-to-ASN Program at Nightingale College takes only 16 months to complete and combines fully online theoretical education with on-ground supervised field practice. By the end of it, you are fully prepared to sit the NCLEX-RN and go on to practice as an RN.

Enroll today in our LPN-to-ASN Program and advance your career!

What Is a BSN?

A BSN, or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, is a full-time, 3-to-4-year program that provides learners with extended preparation for the registered nursing role. Compared to an ADN-level nurse , a BSN-educated nurse is qualified for more complex procedures under the doctor’s supervision and can manage other nursing staff.

While it requires more dedication and time and a higher investment, earning a BSN degree at some point is a crucial milestone for all nurses wishing to advance their nursing careers. In other words, even if you aim to earn an ADN and enter the job market sooner, you will have to earn your BSN degree down the line if you want to advance your career and unlock new opportunities. That is why many institutions also provide RN to BSN bridge programs that are shorter and more affordable for currently certified and practicing nurses. Read our guide to find out more about RN to BSN costs.

At Nightingale College, we understand the differing availability and expectations of aspiring nurses and aim to accommodate your objectives, regardless of your chosen path:

Our BSN Program provides a flexible and accessible option if you have the time to dedicate to the 3 years required to graduate. The hybrid program that combines online learning with on-ground supervised field experience should further ease your learning experience.
If you want to earn your BSN later or you currently are a practicing RN and want to take the next step, our 1-year, fully online RN-to-BSN Bridge is ideal, providing a fast route to graduation while accommodating your job or other obligations.

Discover our programs and choose the path that suits your journey the best!

What Is the Difference Between ADN and BSN Degrees?

Although both educational paths enable you to become a registered nurse, the distinction between ADN and BSN degrees concerns both the learning process, their effects on your future nursing career, and the perks that come with advancing your education.

Thus, the differences can be classified into two categories:

Related to education: learning period, curriculum, acquired skills and competencies
Related to work outlook: salary expectations, workplace settings, roles, and patient outcomes.

1. Education

Both paths are created to prepare you to accrue the knowledge and skills required to sit the NCLEX-RN, the exam required to practice as a registered nurse. Consequently, ADN and BSN programs share core courses that will teach learners the competencies of nursing and clinical practice and help with hands-on learning in healthcare settings.

However, the BSN programs include some courses that ADN programs don’t offer:

Management, leadership, public health, social sciences, critical thinking, and communication courses are part of the BSN curriculum. Leadership training helps nurses who wish to advance to administrative, research, or teaching positions.
Nursing theory and nursing informatics teaches you how to use new technology in the workplace.
Additional courses advanced from an ADN level help nurses have a better understanding of the complex issues affecting both the patient and the healthcare environment.
Compared to the ADN-level degree offerings, BSN programs also feature more extensive clinical experiences.

Since the nursing field is continually evolving and nurses and doctors use new technologies in treating and diagnosing patients, RNs need to keep up with these growing trends. The main focus of BSN programs is to broaden the learner’s scope of practice and provide opportunities for enhanced professional development.

Education differences

2. Program Length

An ADN usually takes from 18 months to 2 years to complete, compared to a BSN program that will take 3 to 4 years to graduate from.

There are shorter learning routes if you are already accredited in specific nursing roles. LPNs can enroll in an LPN-to-ASN path and arrive at an ADN level of education within 16 months, having the possibility to then sit the NCLEX-RN. Learn more about how to get your ADN.

There are also accelerated BSN programs, which take around one or two years to complete. You can access this kind of degree only if you have already completed a degree program or a nurse training course.

If you have already completed an ADN program, you can earn your BSN within just 1 year by enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program at Nightingale College. Such programs generally cover areas omitted from ADN courses but that are taught to BSN students.

Enroll in the right program for you and advance your nursing career!

ADN vs. BSN Differences in Patient Outcomes

3. Patient Outcomes

Since BSN nurses are usually better trained and more prepared to tackle complicated cases, given their educational experience, they also garner better patient outcomes. The elaborate curriculum and clinical hours required by academic criteria make BSN nurses highly trained and qualified to meet the nation’s patients’ nursing needs and deliver safe, effective patient care.

The presence of BSN nurses in medical facilities leads to lower patient mortality in hospitals, fewer medical errors, and better relationships through communication, all of which contribute to improved patient outcomes and quality of care.

The correlation between a nurse’s level of education and patient mortality and other positive impacts is confirmed by two decades of nursing research, as reported by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The research shows that higher nursing education is reflected in the quality of clinical practice.

Read in greater detail about the impact of ADN and BSN education on patient outcomes.

Competencies

4. Scope of Practice and Competencies

When it comes to professional skills, you may say that an ADN-prepared nurse is more “technical,” while a BSN-level nurse is a “professional” nurse.

Both will prepare nurses to provide patient care that meets generally accepted standards; that is why you will graduate as a registered nurse, regardless of whether you have completed an ADN or a BSN program. Consequently, all RNs will practice their clinical skills and will have the knowledge required to provide basic care independently of their type of education.

However, BSN nurses can complete various administrative tasks and fulfill leadership roles, having more autonomy and decision-making abilities. Comparably, an ADN nurse may require extended oversight in their day-to-day activities, only performing their designated duties in conformance with the directions of better-accredited personnel.

Read our RN vs. BSN comparison to see how a Bachelor’s degree can affect your activity as a registered nurse. Salary differences

5. Salary

Whether you complete an ADN or a BSN program, you qualify to work as an RN. The estimated salary for RNs in 2024 is $94,480 per year, or $45.42 per hour, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the average annual salary estimation for RNs published by the BLS does not account for a nurse’s type of accreditation.

You can expect to earn a higher salary if you have a BSN degree, with registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree being the top 25% earners in their field. Consequently, the average annual salary for BSN nurses is $104,670, equivalent to $50.32 per hour. Comparatively, ADN-level nurses are estimated to earn around $91,444 per year.

However, there are other factors that affect your salary as a nurse, including your role and the state in which you work. Read our in-depth nurse salary by state analysis to find a better estimation for your expected annual, monthly, and hourly wages.

Additionally, even as a BSN nurse, your salary will fluctuate based on similar factors. Our BSN nurse salary guide provides more insight into your expected wage.

ADN vs. BSN Job outlook and career opportunities

6. Career Opportunities & Job Outlook

If you are prepared to work as a registered nurse, your career description will not be radically different based on which program you have completed.

ADN and BSN graduates working as registered nurses will share similar tasks, including:

Working side-by-side with other nurses in caring for patients
Administering medication and treatment
Taking vital signs of patients in care
Monitoring and updating medical charts and patients’ symptoms
Providing quality-of-life services and supporting patients in their wellness journey

However, when considering long-term and career opportunities, you may encounter diverging paths and different options. The roles available for RNs are greatly affected by their level of education and acquired skills.

Here are some frequent nursing roles that both ADN and BSN nurses may occupy:

There are also some roles that can only be fulfilled by an RN with a BSN degree, some of which are among the highest-paid jobs in the industry. Some common BSN nursing job examples are:

If you want to learn more about your employability as a nurse with a Bachelor’s degree, you can read our in-depth guide to BSN jobs. And if you aim to make the most of your education, discover the highest paying BSN jobs in the industry.

Workplace settings

7. Workplace Settings

Although, as an ADN and BSN RN, you will start off in an entry-level position in similar types of healthcare facilities, your degree level will influence your employment opportunities in different locations and healthcare settings.

RNs with an ADN and BSN degrees can usually work in:

Hospitals
Physicians’ offices
Home healthcare services,
Nursing care facilities
Outpatient clinics and schools
Military settings
At-home care (as travel nurses)

However, given the extensive preparation in managerial, administrative, and leadership skills, BSN nurses may find placement in more advanced settings, as well as in higher positions within the same workplace. For instance, if you are interested in teaching or in being a case manager, a BSN will be the minimum qualification required. You may also aspire to various nursing specialties like research or public health. ADN-prepared nurses have a limited chance of accessing such roles and responsibilities that require a BSN degree.

ADN or BSN: Which One Is Better?

Choosing between an ADN or BSN program depends on your current priorities and expectations from your career.

Here is what you need to know if you want to decide whether you should pursue an ADN or a BSN educational path:

You should consider getting an Associate degree in Nursing if you aim to start practicing as an RN as soon as possible and with the least time dedicated to education.
You should opt to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing if you can dedicate more time and resources to learning and wish to start with a higher degree that provides more benefits and career opportunities.

When looking at the bigger trend in nursing education, the choice is evenly distributed: since 2022, just over 51% of entry-level nurses chose to start with a BSN or higher degree, while the rest started with an ADN or equivalent certification. One thing is clear, though – at some point in your journey, you will want to enroll in a BSN program, considering that over 71% of RNs already have an equivalent or higher type of accreditation.

It is important to remember that you always have the option of earning your BSN, and if you do so via a fast-track program, you won’t lose valuable time either.

At Nightingale College, we aim to provide you with the learning option that best fits your desires and career objectives:

If you are ready to study in a 3-year program that garners the best opportunities and benefits for your future, our BSN Program is ideal for you. The ability to complete your learning online, along with on-ground supervised field experience, guarantees maximum flexibility and availability on your part.
If you are already an RN and wish to advance your education, we provide a 1-year, fully online RN-to-BSN Program that allows you to reach your career goals in the shortest time possible.

Discover our learning programs and enroll in the one that suits you best today!

ADN vs. BSN FAQs

Can You Be a Nurse With an Associate’s Degree?

Yes, getting an Associate Degree in Nursing is one of the main educational paths to becoming a registered nurse. It is also comparatively faster than earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing but garners comparatively poorer benefits, including a lower salary, on average, and fewer job opportunities.

Can BSN Nurses Teach or Have Administrative Roles?

Yes, BSN nurses can fulfill various educational and administrative positions, most of which require you to have the accreditation. However, certain teaching roles, such as that of a nurse educator, will require you to also complete a Master’s Degree in Nursing for Nurse Educators.

You can do so at Nightingale College, where the 2-year MSN Ed Program combines online and in-person instruction to provide you with the best learning experience available.

Enroll in the MSN Ed Program and achieve your desired nursing career!

Do Employers Prefer BSN Nurses More?

While having a BSN degree is a differentiating factor, your level of education as a registered nurse may not be as relevant as it has been in previous decades. This is due to the ongoing nurse shortage, the resolution of which also requires employers to allow in lower-level staff in order to meet the demands.

Accepting nurses with ADN or comparable degrees is also a sure way of lowering the burden placed on the more autonomous BSN nurses, thus reducing stress and having a positive impact on the culture and environment that have generated an epidemic of nursing burnout.

In short, a BSN degree may attract better pay or higher positions, but it is no longer such a decisive factor for your job outlook.

Do Hospitals Prefer ADN or BSN Nurses?

Many hospitals may prioritize hiring BSN-educated nurses, and those that don’t may require upon employment that RNs earn a BSN degree during their time working there.

Plus, BSN RNs are qualified for the same jobs as ADN-prepared nurses. That is why a next-level degree would offer you more career flexibility in the long run.

If you want to earn your BSN or advance your education, Nightingale College has the right program for you.

If you start from zero, the 3-year BSN Program will prepare you to sit the NCLEX-RN and become a proficient registered nurse by combining online learning with on-ground supervised field experience, all with a concept-based educational approach.
If you are a registered nurse already and want to broaden your horizons, the RN-to-BSN Track can open new avenues for you. You can advance your education in just 1 year and by completing an accelerated, 100% online curriculum.

Enroll in our educational programs and achieve your highest potential in the nursing field!