ADN vs. BSN: What Are the Differences In Education, Salary, Opportunities & Which You Should Choose

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.

If you are thinking about beginning your journey to a nursing career, you have two options to choose from for your education: an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you are undecided between the two, you should know that both paths have their benefits and drawbacks and that there is no final consensus as to which one is more recommended.

There are some major 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 for their completion and the curriculum, but they also result in diverging patient outcomes, salary expectations, and future opportunities.

We will explore all the advantages, disadvantages and differences of both ADN and BSN degrees, so you can be a step closer to deciding on the right nursing degree!

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 degrees 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. Completing either one will qualify you for the RN role, but their extent of preparation, curriculum, and post-graduation opportunities differ.

What Is an ADN?

An Associate Degree in Nursing represents the shortest possible educational program and the minimum required one 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 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.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from our in-depth article.

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. Find out more about RN to BSN costs in our guide.

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 differences between ADN and BSN degrees concern both the learning process, their effects on your future nursing career and the the perks that come with advancing your education.

Thus, what differentiates the two degrees can be classified within two different categories – differences related to education (learning period, curriculum or the acquired skills and competencies) and differences based on work outlook (salary expectations, available workplace settings, accessible roles and patient outcomes).

We can further analyze the ADN vs. BSN degree comparison along 7 main areas – differences in the education process, program lengths, competencies, career opportunities, estimated salary, patient outcomes and in workplace settings.

Education differences

1. BSN vs. ADN Education Differences

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 them with hands-on learning in healthcare settings.

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

Management, leadership, public health, and social sciences, critical thinking and communication courses are part of the BSN curriculum. Leadership training helps nurses that wish to advance to administrative, research or teaching positions.
Nursing theory and nursing informatics teach 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.

Program lenght

2. ADN and BSN Differences in the 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 a LPN-to-ASN path and arrive at an ADN level of education within 16 months, having the possibility to then sit the NCLEX-RN.

Find out how to get your ADN and what the educational process entails.

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. ADN vs. BSN Differences in 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.

Find out how nurses' education improves patient outcomes and how ADN and BSN degrees can affect their safety from our dedicated guide.

Competencies

4. ADN and BSN Differences in Competence

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 being why you will graduate as a registered nurse, regardless if 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. ADN vs. BSN Salary Differences

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. ADN vs. BSN Career Opportunities & Job Outlook Differences

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. BSN vs. ADN 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.

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.

ADN or BSN: Which One Is Better?

The choice of program for becoming a registered nurse highly depends on your current priorities and expectations from your career.

One thing is clear – at some point in your journey, you will earn your BSN degree, considering that already over 71% of RNs have an equivalent or higher type of accreditation.

However, the choice between studying for it outright or first getting an Associate degree will hinge on whether you want to start practicing as an RN sooner in order to acquire experience or if you aim to dedicate more time and resources to earning a higher degree. Here, the trend 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.

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 already are 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.

What’s the Difference Between BSN and ADN?

There are multiple differences between the BSN and ADN degrees, but the main ones concern the period of learning necessary to complete them and your career outcomes once you graduate.

A BSN program is a comprehensive learning option that prepares you for more varied and complex patient cases while also garnering a better job outlook. Comparatively, an ADN program is shorter and more practice-oriented, allowing you to start working within 2 years.

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 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 are starting 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!