There are many ways to thrive as a registered nurse (RN). This field offers the best of both worlds: the chance to make a genuine difference on patients’ behalf, plus plenty of opportunities to rise through the ranks and carve a career path you find compelling.
The only problem is finding the right trajectory. This will likely involve earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), but there’s no easy way to decide how or when you’ll pursue this degree.
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as you plan your nursing future is determining the difference between RN and RN to BSN. Both options lead to a highly regarded degree, but that’s where the similarities end.
Not sure which path is right for you? Below, we will outline the core difference between RN and BSN nursing, along with factors you should consider as you plan for a meaningful career.
Understanding the Basics of Nursing Credentials
Nursing credentials play a vital role in the healthcare field. These confirm that nurses have developed the skills deemed necessary to provide quality care at their respective professional levels.
Credentials take many forms, but two tend to attract the most attention — becoming a registered nurse RN and earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. These represent distinct but complementary, opportunities for climbing the nursing career ladder. Some nurses will only become an RN, but increasingly, some prefer to seek both opportunities: licensure and bachelor’s degrees.
The Role of a Registered Nurse (RN)
The multifaceted term registered nurse refers not only to a respected license, but also to the formally trained nurses who play such a substantial role within the modern healthcare system. Recognized for their comprehensive skill set and wealth of empathy, these nurses coordinate patient care, offering physical assessments, ongoing monitoring, patient education, and emotional support.
What Is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)?
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a career-focused, four-year degree program that blends clinical competencies with leadership development, all while placing a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice. This program delves into theoretical concepts but also offers immersive, hands-on learning opportunities to help students bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Pathways to Becoming a Nurse in the United States
Today’s RNs hold some of the most sought-after and respected roles in the modern healthcare sector. Insights from the American Nurses Association (ANA) indicate that there are currently 4.3 million registered nurses in the United States. Other nurses leverage their talents and passion to make a difference as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), or nurse practitioners (NPs).
This professional versatility calls for a wide range of educational pathways, with aspiring nurses looking to numerous degree programs and credentials to develop essential skills and demonstrate their competence. However, most nurses will ultimately opt for one of two main approaches. This consists of taking the NCLEX exam and becoming a nurse before or after earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Traditional BSN Programs: A Direct Approach
In many ways, the ‘traditional’ BSN looks a lot like the ‘conventional’ college pathways associated with other fields, dedicating three or four years exclusively to coursework prior to entering the professional realm. This coursework occurs not only in a typical classroom but also, may encompass experiential learning opportunities such as clinical rotations. Upon earning their BSN, graduates should be prepared to take the NCLEX exam.
Comparing BSN and RN to BSN Programs
Both standard BSN and RN to BSN programs produce the same outcome. Upon graduating, students hold a widely respected bachelor’s degree and a varied skill set that can help them succeed in specialty or leadership roles. Differences become a lot more noticeable when examining curricula and timelines. These are factors that typically drive the RN versus BSN debate.
Curriculum Differences and Similarities
Both the conventional BSN and RN to BSN cover similar concepts, prioritizing evidence-based practice while helping students develop in-demand skills such as critical thinking.
With the RN to BSN, the curriculum aims to expand upon previous academic achievements and professional experiences, while the BSN requires students to start with the basics.
Timeframe and Commitment for Completion
At the very minimum, students can expect to dedicate a full three years to coursework prior to earning a BSN. Accelerated programs may encompass the full 120 credits needed to earn a bachelor’s while using unique curricular sequences to help students complete these requirements in just three years.
With the RN to BSN approach, timelines are far more variable. Most ADN programs take between 18 months and two years to complete. After this, some students may commit exclusively to the workforce before eventually returning to school. Assuming full-time enrollment, most RN to BSN programs last between one and two years.
Essentially, earning an ADN promises swifter entry into the workforce. That said, earning a BSN may only require one additional year of study, thereby producing a faster entrance into specialized or higher-paying work.
The Advantages of Earning a BSN
No matter how or when it’s earned, the BSN is worth seeking because it helps RNs leverage such a wide range of personal and professional opportunities. This degree prepares nurses to take on roles and specialties they find compelling, while also promoting an expanded skill set and, in the long run, a higher standard of care.
Enhanced Career Opportunities and Mobility
An ADN and designation as an RN should be enough to break into the field, but it’s increasingly insufficient for nurses who want to climb the career ladder. Because the ADN primarily explores clinical skills, it takes additional training at the BSN level to develop competencies in quality improvement, informatics, and leadership.
Some higher-level jobs are simply out of reach for nurses with their ADN, while an increasing subset of employers demonstrates a strong preference for hiring baccalaureate-trained nurses across all roles. In this way, the failure to obtain a BSN can be incredibly limiting, even for those who lack a strong desire to pursue specialty or leadership positions.
Why Consider an RN-to-BSN Program?
If you are already an RN or would like to become one in the near future, you could be a wonderful candidate for an RN to BSN program. This approach allows you to focus on developing clinical skills and practicing them in the real world before delving into other concepts. Some aspiring nurses find this appealing, especially if they’re eager to get involved in the workforce as quickly as possible.
Leveraging Experience for Advanced Learning
Several concepts that seem abstract to the ‘standard’ BSN student feel relevant to those with nursing experience, who can directly observe critical concepts as they play out on the job. Real-world experience can also spark fascinating discussions with fellow students eager to share their unique insights as they learn from one another.
Meeting the Growing Demand for BSN-Prepared Nurses
Many of today’s talented RNs entered the field before it was common practice to obtain a BSN. Following years of success in the healthcare field, they may be eager to take the next step in their careers, and the RN to BSN represents the most relevant pathway for accomplishing this.
These already-employed nurses are well aware that employers value higher education and they may have already struggled to secure desirable opportunities because they lack the right degree. The RN to BSN is a much-needed avenue for current RNs, but the decision becomes a bit murkier for aspiring nurses who lack real-world experience.
Career Trajectories for BSN vs. RN to BSN Graduates
Both BSN and RN to BSN graduates enjoy a world of potential in a quickly expanding industry. BLS projections suggest that, across the scope of registered nursing, the field’s outlook has reached 6 percent, which is faster than the current average (3 percent) across all occupations. Nurses with their BSN can gain an edge in this growing, but competitive field. However, the type of BSN may impact these job opportunities or how they are pursued.
Opportunities Unique to BSN Holders
BSN-trained nurses are better equipped to handle a range of roles and responsibilities, including many that go beyond conventional clinical care. While requirements vary between employers, some reveal a strong preference for candidates with their BSN, especially when specialized opportunities exist. Examples include:
- Informatics nurse specialist
- Registered nurse manager
- Clinical supervisor
- Clinical research coordinator
- School nurse
- Forensic nurse examiner
The Value of Experience: Advantages for RN-to-BSN Graduates
Despite the advantages attributed to the BSN degree, some nurses still prefer to take a slower, more methodical approach to obtaining this degree. Often, this preference relates to a strong desire for experience. Some aspiring nurses feel that they will benefit most from quickly entering the field and applying clinical skills. This can be accomplished as soon as they earn their ADN and pass the NCLEX.
This approach provides the unique advantage of hands-on experience. Yes, this is available through BSN coursework, but it feels a lot more relevant and impactful in the context of actual RN shifts.
It is through continuous exposure to patients, staff members, and sizable caseloads that nurses learn how to apply research-backed concepts and fully leverage soft skills such as empathy and time management. Beyond this, RNs can also apply newly explored concepts from their higher-level BSN courses. When they see these concepts play out in the real world, core takeaways will prove far more memorable.
Navigating the Financial Aspects
Understanding the Costs: BSN vs. RN-to-BSN
Tuition varies greatly between programs, so it can be difficult to directly compare the financial difference between RN and RN to BSN programs. Ultimately, the tuition breakdown will look similar, although BSN programs may cost less if an accelerated approach produces a slightly smaller course load. Some students find it easier to pay for the RN to BSN because this allows them to spread the cost of education over several years.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Nursing Students
These are worth exploring regardless of preferred pathways, although eligibility may differ depending on current student status and individual course loads.
Some ADN-trained RNs may obtain financial assistance from employers. This is more likely when employers recognize the value of the BSN but also want to retain their most hardworking RNs.
Preparing for the Future of Nursing
Industry authorities such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have made it abundantly clear that the future of nursing involves higher standards and expectations. These, in turn, call for higher-level education. Hence, the current drive to get as many nurses as possible equipped with their BSN.
The Importance of Continuing Education
The BSN represents just one of many opportunities for RNs to further their education. Learning should not end after obtaining a BSN, however, and this is true even among nurses who do not expect to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Continuing education and professional development ensure that nurses (at all levels) stay abreast of new trends, technologies, and opportunities while also continuing to expand their skill set and improve their quality of care.
Emerging Trends in Nursing and Healthcare
Numerous trends promise to uncover an exciting new era in nursing and across the entire spectrum of healthcare. Several of these relate to emerging technologies. For example, electronic medical records (EMRs) have seen dramatic improvements in interoperability and even leverage cutting-edge solutions such as natural language processing. Tomorrow’s nurses will be expected to embrace these technologies and integrate them into their everyday routines.
Other trends reveal an increased awareness of disparities in healthcare, along with the capacity of nurses to address and even help overcome these issues. From trauma-informed care to community-based nursing, many emerging frameworks call for an increased emphasis on soft skills, rather than focusing exclusively on clinical competencies. Nurses with their BSN will be best poised to provide nuanced and culturally competent care.
Choosing the Right Program for You
As a current or aspiring nurse, there is no simple solution for navigating your academic and professional trajectory. To make the best possible decision, you must draw on a range of factors, including your personal goals, interests, and current challenges or roadblocks. Instinct matters and you may naturally feel drawn to a specific pathway, but don’t hesitate to examine alternative options.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Nursing Program
There’s a lot to consider as you decide which nursing degree to pursue and which college or program to attend. Once you understand the difference between RN and RN to BSN, you can tailor your trajectory based on your personal goals, finances, lifestyle, and other factors.
- Career goals. Have you established specific objectives for your nursing career? Perhaps you would like to pursue a certain specialty or advance beyond the level of RN. These priorities may influence how quickly you intend to secure your BSN. Some specialty roles may be out of reach until you’ve obtained your bachelor’s degree, so it may be worth your while to focus exclusively on training until you have the right credentials. If your main goal is to work as an RN as soon as possible, beginning with an ADN may be preferable.
- Financial concerns. BSN programs may call for an increased upfront financial commitment, not to mention delayed earnings while committing an extra year or more to higher-level coursework.. As you navigate financial concerns, weigh the immediate cost of tuition.
- Work-school-life balance. Nursing school is rigorous, and many students recognize from the get-go that they can only handle so much. If you worry about finding balance while juggling both challenging coursework and a demanding RN position, consider focusing exclusively on your BSN program until you are ready to enter the field.
Resources for Prospective Nursing Students
Still struggling to decide which BSN pathway is right for you? As you continue to reflect on the difference between RN and BSN nursing, look to trusted resources for guidance. From nursing journals to podcasts and even online forums or social media influences, many resources can highlight valuable perspectives that feel relevant to your unique situation.
- ANA Career Center. Offering assistance with personal branding, resume development, and other practicalities, this trusted career resource will help you find and secure the field’s best and brightest positions while leveraging your degree and experience.
- The Ambitious Nurse. While numerous podcasts delve into current issues or even life in nursing school, few are as career-focused as The Ambitious Nurse. Hosted by clinical nurse specialist and career coach Bonnie Meadows, this podcast should spark powerful self-reflection as you plan your career path or navigate professional transitions.
- The Nurse Nook. Bringing the best of the nursing experience to YouTube, The Nurse Nook provides entertaining, yet informative videos on all aspects of the nursing lifestyle. These include realistic day-in-the-life videos, along with details about unconventional job opportunities, side hustles, and more.
Elevate Your Nursing Career With Florida Technical College
Are you passionate about nursing and eager to make your mark as an RN? Discover how you can expand your skill set with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Florida Technical College. Reach out today to learn more about this program and how it can prepare you for a bright future in the healthcare sector.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
Sources
https://ftccollege.edu/program/bachelors-degree/science-nursing/
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_Degree_Nursing_(ADN)/Salary
