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Many prospective nurses find themselves deciding between pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and an associate of science in nursing (ASN)—also called an associate degree in nursing, or an ADN. Both degrees prepare you to become a registered nurse (RN) and meet the requirements for RN licensure—so which one is right for you?
Each degree has its benefits and potential drawbacks, and for many, the choice comes down to their resources and personal career goals. Follow along as we compare ASN vs. BSN programs, including the pros and cons of each.
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ADN vs. BSN
An ADN and a BSN are both undergraduate nursing degrees. Generally speaking, associate degrees take about two years to earn, while bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete. Read on to learn more about each degree.
What Is an ADN?
ADN programs build basic nursing skills through classroom learning and hands-on clinical training. As an ADN student, you may encounter courses such as microbiology, health assessment and lifespan development, though exact course offerings vary by program.
You can earn an ADN in two years through an institutionally accredited community college. If you plan to become an RN, your ADN program should also hold programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or your state’s accrediting agency for nursing programs, if applicable.
An ADN program requires approximately 70 credits to complete. It prepares you to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which all prospective registered nurses must pass before applying for state licensure. As an RN-ADN, you can find employment in a traditional hospital system as a community health nurse, an outpatient care nurse or a similar role requiring entry-level nursing skills.
Pros and Cons of Earning an ADN
You may pursue an ADN if you’re looking for a shorter program than a BSN, which can take four years to earn. An ADN enables you to enter the nursing field quickly to start earning a salary and gaining practical nursing experience.
ADN programs are also less competitive and expensive than BSN programs. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that tuition and fees at a public, in-state two-year college cost an average of just $3,501 per year.
On the other hand, ADN programs are not as in-depth or holistic as BSN degrees. ADN students learn basic clinical nursing skills, while BSN students have more time to absorb management, research and higher-level clinical skills. Plus, hospitals with Magnet status—which the American Nurses Credentialing Center confers to denote high-performing hospitals—typically prefer to hire nurses with a BSN.
What Is a BSN?
A BSN is a rigorous, four-year university program that involves intensive clinical training. BSN students spend 300 to 700 hours in various clinical settings and learn leadership skills that prepare them for advanced roles and degrees.
BSN course offerings vary but can include subjects like foundations of professional nursing, health equity, care coordination and case management, and informatics, patient safety and quality improvement. Most BSN programs require 120 or more credits to graduate.
Pros and Cons of Earning a BSN
BSN programs take longer to complete than ADNs, meaning BSN students may not enter the workforce as quickly as they would with just an associate degree. BSN programs can also be significantly more expensive, and you may need to take out student loans to cover the cost of tuition. According to the NCES, tuition and fees at a public, in-state four-year university cost $9,375 per year on average—nearly three times that of a two-year school.
Regarding career outlook, however, many say the pros of earning a BSN outweigh the initial cons. The depth of study required by a BSN program better qualifies students to take on complex nursing tasks.
BSN students are also more likely to pass the NCLEX on their first try: In 2022, 82.32% of bachelor’s graduates passed, versus 77.91% of associate graduates, according to data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
A BSN degree can propel students into positions with more responsibility and set them up to specialize their careers and earn certifications in particular areas of nursing, such as gerontology or maternal health. BSN graduates are also prepared to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees.
Finally, nurses who hold a BSN earn higher salaries than their ADN counterparts, which can make up for the difference in tuition over time. Payscale reports that BSN graduates earn an average annual salary of about $91,000, versus approximately $74,000 for ADN degree holders.
Do You Need a BSN to Become an RN?
In short, you do not need a BSN to become an RN, but you should examine the state of nursing in the U.S. before you choose which degree to pursue.
Research published in the the journalHealth Affairs shows that hospital settings employing larger proportions of highly educated nurses have better patient outcomes. As the nursing field evolves in response to this type of research, a BSN can make it easier for RNs to land jobs and advance their careers.
In late 2010, the National Academy of Medicine called for 80% of RNs to hold BSN degrees by 2020. The U.S. didn’t quite hit this goal, but in 2020, more than 65% of nurses held a bachelor’s degree, according to NCSBN’s National Nursing Workforce Survey.
According to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 27.7% of hospitals and other healthcare employers require new hires to hold a bachelor’s degree, and 71.7% strongly prefer it.
RN-to-BSN Bridge Programs
If you became an RN with only an ADN, you can still return to school for a BSN degree. RN-to-BSN bridge programs simplify and expedite this process. These bridge programs, which are growing in popularity, allow licensed RNs to bypass many typical BSN program prerequisites and complete their BSN degrees in one to two years instead of four. You can also pursue RN-to-MSN or BSN-to-MSN bridge programs if you want to earn a master’s in nursing.
Common Careers for ADN Graduates
Registered Nurse
Median Annual Salary: $77,600
Required Education: ADN/ASN or BSN, based on employer preference
Job Description: A registered nurse can hold either an ADN or a BSN. An RN uses clinical skills to provide a high standard of care to patients in various hospital and clinic settings. Daily duties of an RN can include:
- Monitoring patient needs
- Coordinating care with doctors and other hospital staff
- Updating patient charts and administering medication
Nurse Manager
Average Annual Salary: Around $92,000
Required Education: ADN/ASN or BSN, based on employer preference
Job Description: Working as a nurse manager shifts your focus from patients to your fellow nurses. Nurses on the hospital or clinic floor report to nurse managers, who create schedules and help mediate disagreements. Nursing managers must have at least five years of experience as floor nurses before transitioning to more managerial and administrative duties.
Nurse Case Manager
Average Annual Salary: Around $77,000
Required Education: ADN/ASN or BSN, based on employer preference
Job Description: Nurse case managers move from acute patient care, or caring for a patient during a specific treatment or following an operation, to creating holistic recovery plans. A nurse case manager’s duties may include helping someone recover from or learn to cope with a life-changing injury or new diagnosis. Many RNs become case managers to specialize in a particular type of patient or a specific condition to provide more comprehensive care.
Common Careers for BSN Graduates
Clinical Nurse Manager
Average Annual Salary: Around $86,600
Required Education: BSN
Job Description: A clinical nurse manager implements new or changing regulations, policies and initiatives. A clinical nurse manager may undertake recruiting, budgeting and training tasks to ensure nurses can provide top-quality patient care. Clinical nurse managers must be detail-oriented and able to collaborate with other clinical managers, doctors and hospital staff.
Nurse Educator
Median Annual Salary: $77,440
Required Education: MSN or doctorate in nursing
Job Description: Policies, treatments and systems in healthcare shift on a near-constant basis. In response, nurse educators ensure that all nurses and staff who work with patients stay updated and on top of their continuing education by providing regular opportunities for learning and evaluation.
Nurse educators also oversee new nurses in hospital settings, create continuing education materials and help implement policies. Beyond hospitals, nurse educators work in higher education and various healthcare-adjacent organizations.
Nursing Director
Average Annual Salary: Around $95,600
Required Education: BSN
Job Description: Nursing directors undertake extra responsibilities to ensure a unit (e.g., psychiatric or maternity), department (e.g., outpatient, inpatient or radiology) or group of departments operates efficiently. A nursing director’s duties may include:
- Creating business plans and multi-year goals
- Overseeing policy, procedures and regulatory compliance
- Advocating for nursing staff and providing mentorship
- Leading nurses and nurse managers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ASN vs. BSN Degrees
Is an ASN the same as an RN?
No; an ASN or ADN is an associate degree conferred to students upon program completion. The RN designation is a license earned by passing the NCLEX and meeting other state licensure requirements. RNs can hold either an ADN or a BSN degree.
Does an ADN make the same as a BSN?
No, an ADN does not make the same salary as a BSN. Nurses with BSN degrees typically earn higher wages than those with only ADNs. Hospitals prefer BSN graduates, and nurses with BSNs have more opportunities to advance their careers.
