Nursing students are sometimes confused about what kind of nursing degree toobtain. The two choices nurses most often consider are between an AssociatesDegree in Nursing (ADN) , which usually takes two years to complete, or theBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which takes four years. Both ofthese nursing degrees lead to the Registered Nurse (RN) designation, but thereare crucial differences between them. Choosing one over the other depends onfinancial factors, the length of time to be spent in an educational program,and long-term career goals.

The major differences between the two nursing degrees involve the length oftime required to complete each program and the number of academic creditsrequired. A typical ADN degree will take two years, compared to four years forthe BSN – plus the time it takes to finish the prerequisites necessary toenroll in a BSN program. (This may not be a factor for individuals who alreadyhave Bachelor’s degrees (BAs) from accredited institutions, since acceleratedBSN programs allow them to complete all requirements in 18 to 21 months.)

While nursing instructors had previously believed that the ADN degree waslikely to be phased out, the fact is that some 66 percent of current nursinggraduates complete training programs resulting in the ADN or Associate ofScience (AS) degrees. These Associate degrees continue to provide health carefacilities with capable nurses who can manage patient care. As insufficientnumbers of nurses are graduated from four-year BSN programs each year to meetthe needs of the health care industry, two-year Associate degrees are expectedto remain important for some time to come.

However, BSN programs prepare graduates more effectively to make criticalpatient care decisions and to question doctors when orders appearinappropriate. The education provided in a BSN program is more focused oncritical thinking, exposing students to more people and cultures, and enhancingthe skills required for nursing management. They also offer more opportunitiesto improve skills in patient assessment and provide a greater examination ofdisease pathophysiology. Nurses who have the BSN degree will also have aneasier time winning faculty teaching positions and high-level administrativejobs.

In summary, ADN programs usually cost less and take less time to complete,so graduates can begin working in the field more quickly. BSN graduates havemore chances to advance to higher positions in the health care industry, andthey are better prepared to take an advanced nursing degree – to become a nursepractitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist, for example – if they decideto do so. There are many innovative choices for online nursing degrees intoday’s digital world. Many traditional and prestigious schools now offer theirnursing degrees online.

My-nursing-career offers listings of online nursing degrees with noadmissions waiting list. You can graduate in less time at about half the costof traditional nursing schools. You can also find a complete list of nursingdegrees offered throughout the United States.