Moving to Bachelor's: What it's Like to Go from ADN to BSN?

Nursing is a diverse field with nearly limitless opportunities. A combination of education and practical experience is the key to creating an individual career path. What are the differences between an ADN and a BSN? How does a BSN help working nurses advance their career? What advantages does a BSN offer for nurses who want to take on administrative and managerial roles?

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ADN vs BSN

An ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) is a learning program that prepares students to take on support roles in the medical field. A BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is a longer study program geared for students who want the career options that come with higher credentials. Both are valid pathways to entering the world of nursing and come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

  • For those who want to get to work right away, an ADN gives them the tools necessary to get started on the ground floor of the nursing profession. Those with more time benefit from the extra instruction in a BSN program.
  • The curriculum in an ADN program focuses on service-oriented tasks like sanitizing equipment, arranging tools, and direct patient assistance. BSN instruction is geared towards administering treatments, recordkeeping, and other high-level support tasks.
  • ADN graduates are prepared for general roles in medicine that don't require a lot of specialized knowledge. BSN graduates can take on more advanced roles that require a greater depth of knowledge but also yield greater rewards.

The degree path you choose depends on your goals, time frame, and available resources. However, a BSN is the ideal way to enter the medical field as a nurse.

Advantages of BSNs for Working Nurses

For those who are already working in the medical field, getting a BSN boosts their careers in a number of important ways.

  • Nursing is a highly competitive field. When prime positions are opened up, experience may not be enough to secure the top spot. Your degree might be the deciding factor in the success of the application for your dream job.
  • Getting a BSN helps you navigate towards your goals more easily. The specialized skills and knowledge gained through a BSN program qualifies you for more positons, which means you can choose jobs based on your own goals and preferences.
  • Sometimes there's no advertisement for the best positions. Instead, they are passed around by colleagues, professors, and friends. Getting a BSN expands your career network and makes it more likely that you'll get a chance at the good spots.

Working nurses can take advantage of accelerated learning programs that let them study on a convenient schedule. In this way, they can increase their career options without sacrificing economic comfort.

Advantages of a BSN for Aspiring Administrators and Managers

RNs are one of the biggest forces in medicine. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic, the need for registered nurses will increase by 15% over the next ten years. RNs enjoy some of the most comprehensive and wide-ranging positions in the medical field.

They are often responsible for administrative tasks and supervisory positions. Job seekers who want to help hospitals and medical facilities keep their operations running smoothly gain multiple advantages from having a BSN.

  • Practical experience is an important part of nursing. Even if you never touch a patient, there are certain experiences a nurse should have in order to complete their duties with confidence, empathy, and efficacy. A BSN program gives you enough hands-on experience to understand what your staff deals with on a daily basis.
  • Higher levels of communication skills are expected in supervisory and administrative roles. A BSN program teaches students how to express complex medical theories and information in a useful and relatable way.
  • Oversight roles often require a familiarity with larger health patterns in the community. A BSN program shows students how to use data from a variety of official sources to evaluate and recognize potential patterns in their communities. These programs also provide clues on how to address many common community health issues.

Moving to Bachelor's: What it's Like to Go from ADN to BSN?

Are You Ready to Earn your BSN?

Nursing isn't just a career. For most, it is also a calling. If you're interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, consider ECPI University's accelerated program. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

Learn more about ECPI University's College of Nursing TODAY!

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Gainful Employment Information – RN to BSN - Bachelor’s

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