You can become a nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Key differences between an ADN vs. BSN include curriculum, program length and career outcomes. BSN graduates receive more thorough nursing education and have opportunities for advancement.
If you’re planning on making a career change to nursing, you have the choice of earning either an ADN or a BSN degree. It’s important to understand the differences between an ADN and BSN program before making your choice. A BSN provides a more comprehensive nursing education, which can translate to career benefits.
If you’ve decided that a BSN is right for you, you could earn your degree faster with Marian University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Our ABSN program can enable you to graduate in as few as 16 months if you have a completed non-nursing degree or if you’re a transfer student from Marian University’s Associate of Science in Health Sciences (ASHS) degree.
Before you choose a program, look closely at the key differences between an ADN vs. BSN. Explore the many benefits of earning a BSN instead of an ADN, including broader career options and more room for advancement.
ADN vs. BSN: What's the Difference?
Before applying to nursing school, think about which degree best matches your career plans. A good place to start is by understanding the differences between an ADN and BSN.
What Is an ADN?
An ADN is an Associate Degree in Nursing. It is usually a two-year program offered at community colleges. This option often appeals to recent high school graduates and working adults who have little or no prior college education.
ADN programs include general education courses such as English, biology, and chemistry. Students also take nursing courses in areas like pharmacology and patient assessment. Along with classroom work, ADN students complete labs and clinical rotations in healthcare settings.
What Is a BSN?
A BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. A traditional BSN usually takes four years and is offered at colleges and universities. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for an ABSN program that can be completed in as few as 16 months.
Like an ADN, a BSN includes science and nursing courses. However, BSN students often complete more in-depth study in areas such as pathophysiology, leadership, community health, and research. They also complete labs and immersive clinical rotations.
Since the ABSN is designed for second-degree students, it eliminates the general education requirements, although students may need to complete some prerequisites prior to enrolling.
Learn how to become a nurse quickly with an accelerated nursing program.
BSN Benefits: Why Earning a BSN Is Worth It
Some students choose an ADN because it can take less time at the start and may cost less; however, many find that the benefits of a BSN make the extra time worthwhile. A BSN can offer stronger preparation, wider job options, and more opportunities to grow in the field.
More Thorough Career Preparation
One of the biggest BSN benefits is stronger preparation for practice. BSN programs usually cover more advanced topics than ADN programs and often provide broader clinical learning experiences. That added preparation can help new nurses feel more confident when they begin working with patients.
Opportunities for Learning Leadership Skills
One of the key differences in curriculum between an ADN vs. BSN is that a BSN often emphasizes leadership and management skills, whereas an ADN does not. At Marian University, for example, you’ll take a course in leadership and serving your community in the nursing profession. The emphasis on leadership development may help BSN graduates enhance their career trajectory.
Contribute to Better Patient Outcomes
A BSN can also help nurses support strong patient care. Because BSN programs provide more complete preparation through hands-on training, graduates are better equipped to handle complex situations. A study published in Research in Nursing & Health, “Changes in proportion of bachelor's nurses associated with improvements in patient outcomes,” found that when hospitals employ higher percentages of baccalaureate-prepared nurses, patients have:
- Less risk of readmission after discharge
- Reduced mortality
- Shorter hospital stays
Why the BSN Path Appeals to Many Future Nurses
BSN benefits for nurses are compelling. Graduates with a BSN instead of an ADN can often look forward to higher salary command, more job opportunities, and potential for career advancement.
Salary Expectations
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for all registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024. The BLS does not break pay down by ADN vs. BSN, but BSN-prepared nurses typically have greater access to roles with higher earning potential.
Additionally, a baccalaureate-prepared RN may be more likely to be eligible for promotion track opportunities. Similarly, nurses with a BSN may later pursue career advancement in advanced practice, management, or specialized clinical areas such as critical care, informatics, or nurse education.
Job Opportunities
Many employers prefer to hire graduates with a BSN. According to a 2023 survey conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 69.8% of healthcare employers have a “strong preference” for BSN graduates over ADN graduates, and 25% of healthcare employers require a BSN as the minimum academic credential. In other words, earning a BSN can open the door to a broader range of job opportunities.
Compare the differences between a BSN vs. an MSN.
Career Advancement
A BSN also creates a direct path to graduate nursing education. Unlike an ADN-prepared nurse, who must first earn a BSN, a BSN graduate can apply to advanced degree programs such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
A graduate-level nursing degree can open the door to numerous high-level roles, including:
- Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse educator
- Nurse manager
- Nurse researcher
How an Accelerated BSN Helps You Earn a BSN Faster
Although a BSN program traditionally takes four years to complete, there is a faster pathway available for some students. If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for Marian University’s ABSN program, although you may need to complete some prerequisites prior to enrolling. Upon enrolling, you can graduate with your BSN in as few as 16 months.
This accelerated timeline is possible because ABSN students have already completed general education coursework. The program also moves quickly through consecutive semesters, which helps students stay focused and keep building on what they learn.
Additionally, our ABSN offers three start dates per year in January, May, and August. You’ll be able to get started quickly after completing prerequisites and being accepted to the program.
Earn Your BSN Faster at Marian University
Marian University provides a faster pathway to nursing with our accelerated nursing program. You could earn your BSN in as few as 16 months after completing any needed prerequisites. Along the way, you’ll be supported by faculty members, Academic Success Coaches, and a close-knit nursing cohort.
Our accredited nonprofit, faith-based university welcomes students from all backgrounds and faiths to enjoy an academic experience rooted in our Franciscan values of responsible stewardship and upholding the dignity of the individual.
Request information and connect with an admissions advisor to find out if our ABSN program is right for you. They will help you navigate the application process and set a course for your nursing future.