If you think nursing is for you, you should know there are lots of paths to becoming a nurse. The two main paths are completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree. Each one prepares you to take the relevant exams and certifications to become a registered nurse. Because both paths lead towards becoming a nurse, it can be confusing deciding between the two. This article will help explain why a BSN is better than an ADN and help you understand why the former is a much better option.
BSN Nurses are in Higher Demand
There is always a place for registered nurses (RNS) with an ADN but as healthcare has become more advanced, healthcare institutions are now leaning more towards nurses with a BSN. Completing a BSN is a much more rigorous process, repairing you much better for the complexities and advancements in healthcare in general and nursing in particular, and this is why earning one makes you more marketable.
A BSN Makes You a Better Nurse
Research and various studies have shown that healthcare institutions with nurses who hold a BSN at the helm often have lower mortality rates. RN nurses with an ADN perform very well, but their programs do not fully prepare them for the complex responsibilities of nursing. There is often a clear gap in knowledge between registered nurses and BSN-prepared nurses, and this is why a BSN is often recommended.
You Do Not Need An Additional Degree
An advantage that an ADB gives you is that you start practicing earlier than if you had gone for a BSN. The ADN takes about two years while an on-campus BSN degree takes about four years. However, there are several states that now require that you complete a BSN within 10 years of earning your nursing license. This means the potential time you saved earning the two-year degree does not give you much of an advantage when you consider the whole 10-year period.
A BSN Allows Nursing as a Second Career
There are so many people who wish to get into nursing but do not know how. It can be problematic thinking that you have to leave the career you already have to get started on the journey to becoming a nurse. Fortunately, things have changed a lot and there are now options that allow you to make nursing your second career, even when you have a non-nursing degree.
Accelerated nursing programs take less than two years and often require that you just have a bachelor’s degree. It does not have to be a nursing degree as you can apply with the degree you already have; you just have to complete some prerequisites beforehand. A good example is the Baylor University non nursing degree to BSN online program that allows you to not only apply with your existing degree but to also complete the whole program online in only 45 weeks.
Compensation Packages
Most nurses do not get into nursing because of their salaries and compensation packages, but it never hurts to work a job where you are compensated well for what you do. A BSN comes out on top here too because BSN-prepared nurse will often start at a higher salary and their salaries grow much faster than those of RNs with an ADN.
According to Payscale and the United States Department of Labour, the difference between the salaries of these two nurses is between $10,000 and $16,000 per year, depending on where they work and other factors. That is a massive difference considering the average nurse has a 20-year career with many nurses having 35 to 40-year careers.
You Can Get Your Tuition Paid For You
Healthcare facilities require that all their staff have the highest academic qualifications possible. Having highly educated staff makes the institution more reputable, which leads to more patients and referrals.
Because of this, many healthcare facilities foot all or part of the tuition fees of people willing to pursue a degree in nursing. They will typically do so for those seeking to pursue a BSN or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is a massive incentive to pursue the degree. Do talk to your employer to see if they have such options and take advantage of them if they do.
A BSN Leads To Numerous Opportunities
In addition to there being many paths to becoming a nurse, there are also numerous career paths to nofollow once you become a nurse. You can switch to case management, the legal department, research, journalism, policy, and even surgical services with just a few years of experience. If you want these career options open and available to you in the future, it would be best to go with a BSN.
Additionally, a BSN allows you to pursue an advanced degree, such as a master’s or a doctorate, which leads to more fulfilling careers like family nursing practice or midwifery.
A BSN Leads to Versatile Nurses
BSN nurses are prepare and educate in much more than the typical duties many people associate with nursing. Adapting to various situations and settings, critical thinking, policy, problem-solving, and leadership are just some areas BSN-prepare nurses are train in.
The reason is that these nurses often work in various urban and rural settings before they graduate. This type of learning gives them real-world experience and versatility that cannot be learn in a classroom. Additionally, this type of training makes BSN-prepared nurses better prepared to deal with different types of patients and patient demographics.
When trying to answer the initial question we had, we can see there are numerous reasons why it would be better to pursue a BSN rather than an ADN. An ADN makes you a better nurse and gives you lots of opportunities for both personal and professional growth. You become a more versatile and valuable nurse, with lots of opportunities available to you. Additionally, you always have the option of completing an online BSN degree if you wish to make nursing your second career.
