What's the difference between a Associates Degree in R.N (nursing) and a Bachelors Degree in R.N (nursing)?

Really now.. I plan to become a nurse someday and my two year community college offers the Nursing plan, as does the University here..the whole 4 years of Nursing school. I live in South Texas and hearsay has it that the 2 year program is way more difficult at the community college than the 4 year at TAMUCC. Which is the better way to go? 2 year or 4 year?

When it comes to being a staff nurse, there is virtually no difference. My hospital only pays $1 more per hour for BSN RNs vs. ADN RNs. Although many hospitals say they prefer to hire BSN nurses, with the increasing nursing shortage over the next several years, they aren't going to be able to be so picky. And usually it's enough to just tell a potential employer that you intend to complete your BSN in the near future if you only have your ADN. Most good sized hospitals offer some kind of tuition reimbursement - another advantage of getting your ADN first, you can get almost all of the rest of your education paid for by your employer.

In the long run, yes, you are better off getting your BSN if you intend on going for management or administrative positions, and if you're really smart you'll get your master's in some area you find interesting.

I faced this same dilemma several years back, whether to choose the ADN or the BSN track. I am so happy with my decision to do the ADN first. I got my RN license sooner, got to work, and then that work experience paid off when I completed my BSN, made understanding all the expanded theory so much easier.

Good luck with whatever route you choose.

At your age, and the way healthcare is probably going to go.....you need the 4 yr degree or you'll end up going back to get it later. Just do it all now and get it over with....any admin job in any hospital will require it.

I always say that it is better to get your Bachelors than associate. My rationale is this:
In the beginning of your career it will not matter one bit. you will not get paid any more money than someone with the associate however as your career progresses you may want to take on other positions such as supervisory or specialty positions such as case mangement, or even go on to higher education levels such as anesthesia nurse, or nurse practitioner. With your associate degree you severly limit yourself.
Next reason to go for the higher degree is that it takes practically the same amount of time. Many associate programs across the country will not allow you to take a single actual nursing course until all prerequisites are completed. by the time you do this then take your nursing courses it has been three years. so while it looks like it only takes 2yrs to complete it really does not. Be sure to look into this for the school you are considering. This was a huge deciding factor for me because one year apart just is not that much.

I agree....you need a 4 degree. If you are able to choose which one you want to do, it is a blessing. I did the AA degree first because I needed to work, and it was difficult to get a BSN at that time due to a lack of a close university. Eventually I got my BSN. Now I have a Masters. It you are able to get the BSN right off the bat....I would.

The BS

about a $1.00 per hour...

the difference between an associates and bachelors for all practical purposes is not much.
once you get your RN associates degree, you can go back to achieve the bachelors if you really think it necessary

most nurses i know do want their bachelors, just as a status symbol, and to be able to go on and do more adminstrative type work.

associate RN's can do many of the same types of work as those with bachelors. the earning potential is about the same.

i would get the associates and worry about the bacheolor degree at a later date.

For you, it's not about whether or not the difference is a dollar more per hour, it's about a serious career move and job security for now! If you get your ADN first, you can work while you go to school, then as an RN(did anyone mention that we ALL take the same boards?!!), while you work on your BSN. You're not going to start off with any kind of administrative job anyway at first, anyway, why would anyone want to? Why would any department of nurses want a baby nurse administrator, "fresh out the gate", decision making, cutting their teeth on us seasoned(with pepper) nurses? Yes, the ADN program is more challenging because you have 2yrs(ok, 3 including your prerequisites the first year) to absorb 4yrs of information, however, the best thing is that you get more clinical experience in the ADN program to justify your theory, that is, you're not just all up in the books without the hands on experience to back up what you learned("As evidenced by...") Evidence based practice is the single most true concept, the essence of nursing, no matter how you slice it. I,too, am so glad I made the choice to get my ADN first, I was a 16yr old high school graduate, married,pregnant,(not in that order), not anywhere near financially stable enough to afford the BSN program,however, I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the beginning, and was determined to make smarter, permanent life choices for my future. Unless you're supersmart academically, and can get a scholarship, or Mommy and Daddy can pay your way thru, a guaranteed student loan is most probably your only other option, I know some nurses that are STILL paying that back, 5 years post grad!!Look, I'm not knocking the BSN, I got mine 5 years after my ADN. I was able to work/study during my program, the Community College or Junior college has very flexible course outlines to accomodate your needs, I was an emancipated minor,( the parents didn't throw me away, however I was Strongly Encouraged to learn to be responsible about adult life decisions that I made too early, AKA tuff love), a "non-traditional" student, an experienced RN by the time I obtained my BSN, (my Hospital paid for my continuing education, it's a paid benefit at my University Med Center), hey, I was 23yrs old, responsible,well educated, career job, financially stable, no big loan repay debt hanging over my head...most importantly, I'm an excellent nurse,now an educator (Clinical Nurse Preceptor),I have a heart for my profession, my patients, my orientees,I am a strong advocate for quality care. Your comfort level with whatever program you choose will be the most important factor in your decision making ability. Are you the provider for your family? Do you have to work while going to school? Will the cost of your education be a factor in your decision making? Stress level/money/time/daily routine; all factors to consider. I am a strong believer in higher education, a Bachelors Degree is definitely a necessary asset, however, it is equally acceptable, in my case, quite beneficial, to start with an ADN, remember, it's not all about the money you will make compared to the BSN, it's about the type of quality caregiver you will be,and, you can't make money to live on anyway if you aren't marketable and good at what you do( or if you hate your job, like alot of frustrated nurses I know) It's not ever easy,but it has become a labor of love that I still love, hope you choose to persue Nursing, whatever program you decide.