trail in forest with two routes

"Which Programs Should I Apply To?"

One of the most frequent questions I am asked when counseling pre-nursing students is about which degree is better, or which programs the student should apply to.

This is a personal question, and each student has a unique situation that has to be considered when researching, preparing for and applying to nursing programs. Because there are so many factors to consider, and because nursing programs can be extremely competitive or expensive, I usually respond, "Apply broadly and apply to the schools you think you will get in to". As far as WHERE to go, my answer is always, "wherever you were accepted."

The most frequent statement I hear from students is, "I only want to do a BSN program." While this may be the goal, not every student who applies to bachelor programs is going to get in, and the cost of BSN programs can be very expensive. I ALWAYS encourage all students to apply to both ADN and BSN programs, even if they have a 3.6-4.0 in the core prerequisites, so they may have options.

An ADN and a BSN are both undergraduate nursing degrees and lead students to the same job - a registered nurse.

Factors to consider:

Length of Time

ADN programs are typically 2 years once accepted; while BSN programs, once prereqs are completed and students are accepted, last between 2-3 years.

Many ADN programs also have agreements with BSN programs, and students can start their BSN program sometimes concurrently while enrolled in an ADN program.

Cost

One of the main factors influencing students choices also has to do with the cost of the program. Associate degree programs can be as low as $3,000, while bachelor's degree programs can exceed $180,000.

Employment

With regards to employment, while it is true most hospitals and employers are looking for applicants with a BSN, there are far fewer BSN programs, which means the majority of graduates from nursing programs have earned an ADN. Employers will often times offer education incentives for nurses to continue their education and earn their BSN.

In the nursing workshops, I would illustrate the fact that the rate of employment is comparable for nurses with an ADN and those with a BSN.

2018 data showing nurses with ADN hired 79.6%, BSN 79%, MSN 85.4%. 92% hired within 6 months

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Other Perspectives

I always urge pre-nursing students to talk to nurses working in the field. I consistently inquire of nurses when I meet them at medical appointments. There are also tons of YouTube videos from nurses that discuss various things to consider when deciding on a program (be sure to watch several). Here is one from two siblings that provides great context and will provide you quick links to other videos.

NurseJournal, a website developed by nurses for nurses, provides comprehensive career and education resources that can be helpful to review when making these decisions. I've provided some of the information contained in an article from their page below.

ADN Programs:

Credits Required: 60 credits
Average Program Length: 2 years

If you're torn between pursuing a diploma/certificate or a degree, an ADN may work for you. Students can finish in about two years and can study online or in person. An average of 60-75 credits includes some general education classes, pharmacology, maternal-newborn and pediatric nursing, and psychiatric nursing courses.

Clinical hours correspond to state requirements and take place at healthcare sites. Graduates qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam and can apply their ADN credits toward a future BSN or master of science in nursing (MSN) degree.

ADN students benefit from a shorter — and often less expensive — time in school, but may find their advancement and salary potential limited without a bachelor's degree. RNs who want to specialize will need a BSN.

Admissions requirements to ADN programs often include:

A high school diploma or GED certificate
English language proficiency
Required prerequisite courses
A 3.0 or higher GPA
An application and unless a community college, potentially an application fee

BSN Programs

Credits Required: 120 credits
Average Program Length: 4 years

Four-year BSNs offer comprehensive RN training along with the breadth of a bachelor's degree curriculum. Students can complete their coursework online or on campus and gain clinical experience at local hospitals or other medical facilities.

After taking the NCLEX-RN exam, BSN-holders may find positions in their specialty areas with higher starting salaries than ADN- or diploma/certificate-holders would find.

Students complete 120 credits, roughly half of which are devoted to general education. Courses for the nursing major include genetics and genomics, health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology, and legal and ethical issues.

RNs with a BSN can advance in their careers, but some choose to earn higher degrees like MSNs to become advanced practice nurses.

These highly trained and well-paid professionals include nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. Others opt for graduate degrees in nurse administration or education.

BSN Admissions requirements often include:

A high school diploma or GED certificate
Required prerequisite courses
A GPA of 3.0 or higher, with courses in math and science
(Potentially) An entrance exam
(Potentially) Recommendations from teachers or employers for private schools
An application and fee

Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash

Much of the material on this page taken from NurseJournal - "RN Diploma vs. ADN vs. BSN Degree: What's the Difference? - Maura Deering, J.D., updated July 2023