ADN vs. BSN: What Are the 9 Central Differences & Which One Is Better For You

There are two main educational routes to becoming a registered nurse (RN): an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Your program choice can affect your educational experience and professional outcomes. While earning a BSN may take longer than getting an ADN, it also comes with a better salary, improved patient outcomes, and more career opportunities.

However, there are other significant differences between ADN and BSN degrees that you should take into account before choosing the right one for you. While both prepare you for the same examination and nursing role, the programs differ based on the resources and time you have to devote to the completion of the curriculum, and they also result in diverging patient outcomes, salary expectations, and future opportunities.

In this ADN vs. BSN comparison, we will explore all the advantages, disadvantages, and differences between the ADN and BSN degrees so you can be a step closer to deciding on the right nursing program!

What do ADN and BSN mean?

What Do ADN and BSN Mean?

The ADN and BSN degrees are the two direct and most popular educational paths to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Both programs prepare learners for basic nursing care tasks, such as recording patient symptoms and medical history, educating patients on diseases, working closely with doctors, and using simple medical equipment. However, the extent of preparation, curriculum, and post-graduation opportunities differs.

What Is an ADN?

An Associate Degree in Nursing is the shortest possible educational program and the minimum required to become a registered nurse. Completing it usually takes 18 months to two years, and its curriculum fully prepares you to sit the NCLEX-RN, the exam required to practice as an RN.

There are also similar degrees to an ADN, such as the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN), which can be earned in a similar period of learning and prepare you for the same role and tasks. The only differences are in the amount of practical knowledge and preparation that you receive while learning. ADN-level education is also a popular choice for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to advance their education through a shorter LPN-to-RN bridge program.

For instance, the LPN-to-ASN Program at Nightingale College takes only 16 months to complete and combines fully online theoretical education with on-ground supervised field practice. By the end of it, you are fully prepared to sit the NCLEX-RN and go on to practice as an RN.

Enroll today in our LPN-to-ASN Program and advance your career!

What Is a BSN?

A BSN, or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, is a full-time, 3-to-4-year program that provides learners with extended preparation for the registered nursing role. Compared to an ADN-level nurse, a BSN-educated nurse is qualified for more complex procedures under the doctor’s supervision and can manage other nursing staff.

While it requires greater dedication, time, and investment, earning a BSN degree is a crucial milestone for nurses seeking to advance their careers. In other words, even if you aim to earn an ADN and enter the job market sooner, you will have to earn your BSN degree down the line if you want to advance your career and unlock new opportunities. That is why many institutions also offer RN-to-BSN bridge programs that are shorter and more affordable for currently certified and practicing nurses. Read our guide to find out more about RN to BSN costs.

At Nightingale College, we understand the differing availability and expectations of aspiring nurses and aim to accommodate your objectives, regardless of your chosen path:

Our BSN Program provides a flexible and accessible option if you have the time to dedicate to the 3 years required to graduate. The hybrid program that combines online learning with on-ground supervised field experience should further ease your learning experience.
If you want to earn your BSN later or you are currently a practicing RN and want to take the next step, our 1-year, fully online RN-to-BSN Bridge is ideal, providing a fast route to graduation while accommodating your job or other obligations.

Discover our programs and choose the path that best suits your journey!

What Is the Difference Between ADN and BSN Degrees?

Although both educational paths enable you to become a registered nurse, the distinction between ADN and BSN degrees concerns both the learning process, their effects on your future nursing career, and the perks that come with advancing your education.

Thus, the differences can be classified into two categories:

Related to education: learning period, curriculum, acquired skills, and competencies
Related to work outlook: salary expectations, workplace settings, roles, and patient outcomes.

1. Education

Both paths are created to prepare you to accrue the knowledge and skills required to sit the NCLEX-RN, the exam required to practice as a registered nurse. Consequently, ADN and BSN programs share core courses that teach nursing competencies and clinical practice and support hands-on learning in healthcare settings.

However, the BSN programs include some courses that ADN programs don’t offer:

Management, leadership, public health, social sciences, critical thinking, and communication courses are part of the BSN curriculum. Leadership training helps nurses who wish to advance to administrative, research, or teaching positions.
Nursing theory and nursing informatics teach you how to use new technology in the workplace.
Additional courses beyond the ADN level help nurses gain a better understanding of the complex issues affecting both patients and the healthcare environment.
Compared to the ADN-level degree offerings, BSN programs also feature more extensive clinical experiences.

Since the nursing field is continually evolving, and nurses and doctors use new technologies to treat and diagnose patients, RNs need to keep up with these trends. The main focus of BSN programs is to broaden the learner’s scope of practice and provide opportunities for enhanced professional development.

Education differences

2. Program Length

An ADN program usually takes 18 months to 24 months to complete (equivalent to 2 academic years), compared to a BSN program, which usually takes 4 academic years, though some year-round or accelerated formats can shorten this to about 3 years.

There are shorter learning routes if you are already accredited in specific nursing roles. LPNs can enroll in an LPN-to-ASN program and earn an ADN degree within 16 months, with the option to then sit for the NCLEX-RN. Learn more about how to get your ADN.

There are also accelerated BSN programs for students with a prior degree usually run 12-18 months, with some extending up to about 2 years. You can access this kind of degree only if you have already completed a degree program or a nurse training course.

Learn more about how long nursing school will be, depending on your degree of choice. Alternatively, learn more about the fastest and easiest RN to BSN program.

If you have already completed an ADN program, you can earn your BSN within just 1 year by enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program at Nightingale College. Such programs generally cover areas omitted from ADN courses but that are taught to BSN students.

Enroll in the right program for you and advance your nursing career!

ADN vs. BSN Differences in Patient Outcomes

3. Patient Outcomes

Since BSN nurses are usually better trained and more prepared to tackle complex cases, they also achieve better patient outcomes. The elaborate curriculum and clinical hours required by academic criteria make BSN nurses highly trained and qualified to meet the nation’s patients’ nursing needs and deliver safe, effective patient care.

The presence of BSN nurses in medical facilities leads to lower patient mortality, fewer medical errors, and better communication, all of which contribute to improved patient outcomes and quality of care.

Two decades of research, now summarized in a 2024 AACN evidence review, show that hospitals with a higher proportion of BSN-educated nurses have lower patient mortality, fewer complications, and shorter stays. Recent studies, including a 2022 analysis of 30-day surgical mortality and a 2024 study of patients hospitalized with acute kidney injury, continue to find that better nurse staffing and higher levels of nursing education go hand in hand with lower 30-day mortality rates and safer care.

Competencies

4. Scope of Practice

When it comes to professional skills, you may say that an ADN-prepared nurse is more “technical,” while a BSN-level nurse is a “professional” nurse.

Both will prepare nurses to provide patient care that meets generally accepted standards; that is why you will graduate as a registered nurse, regardless of whether you have completed an ADN or a BSN program. Consequently, all RNs will practice their clinical skills and possess the knowledge required to provide basic care independently, regardless of their educational background.

5. Competencies

BSN nurses can complete various administrative tasks and assume leadership roles, with greater autonomy and decision-making authority. By comparison, an ADN nurse may require greater oversight in their day-to-day activities, performing only their designated duties under the direction of more highly accredited personnel.

Read our RN vs. BSN comparison to see how a Bachelor’s degree can affect your activity as a registered nurse.

Salary differences

6. Salary

Whether you complete an ADN or a BSN program, you qualify to work as an RN. The estimated mean salary for RNs in 2025 is $98,430 per year, or $47.32 per hour, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the average annual salary estimation for RNs published by the BLS does not account for a nurse’s type of accreditation.

You can expect to earn a higher salary if you have a BSN degree, with registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree being the top 25% earners in their field. Consequently, the average annual salary for BSN nurses is $107,960, equivalent to $51.90 per hour. Compared with ADN-level nurses, RNs are estimated to earn around $91,444 per year.

However, other factors affect your salary as a nurse, including your role and the state where you work. Read our in-depth nurse salary by state analysis to find a better estimation for your expected annual, monthly, and hourly wages.

Additionally, even as a BSN nurse, your salary will fluctuate based on similar factors. Our BSN nurse salary guide provides more insight into your expected wage.

ADN vs. BSN Job outlook and career opportunities

7. Job Outlook

If you are prepared to work as a registered nurse, your career description will not be radically different based on which program you have completed.

The BLS projects RN employment to grow by 5% by 2034, faster than all occupations (3%), but slower than healthcare diagnosing and treating practitioners (8%), corresponding to roughly 189,100 new job openings each year, and a net increase of 166,100 new jobs for registered nurses in addition to the existing 3,391,000 positions.

When comparing ADN and BSN degrees in terms of job outlook, the consensus is that registered nurses with BSNs have better employment prospects. As of the latest AACN employment survey, over 1 in 4 employers (28%) require new RN hires to have a BSN degree, with approximately three-quarters (72%) reporting a strong preference for BSN-prepared nurses, especially in hospitals and magnet facilities.

8. Career Opportunities

ADN and BSN graduates working as registered nurses will share similar tasks, including:

Working side-by-side with other nurses in caring for patients
Administering medication and treatment
Taking vital signs of patients in care
Monitoring and updating medical charts and patients’ symptoms
Providing quality-of-life services and supporting patients in their wellness journey

However, when considering long-term and career opportunities, you may encounter diverging paths and different options. The roles available for RNs are greatly affected by their level of education and acquired skills.

Here are some frequent nursing roles that both ADN and BSN nurses may occupy:

Some roles can only be fulfilled by an RN with a BSN degree, among the highest-paid jobs in the industry. Some common BSN nursing job examples are:

If you want to learn more about your employability as a nurse with a Bachelor’s degree, you can read our in-depth guide to BSN jobs. And if you aim to make the most of your education, discover the highest-paying BSN jobs in the industry.

Workplace settings

9. Work Settings

Although as an ADN and BSN RN, you will start in an entry-level position in similar types of healthcare facilities, your degree level will influence your employment opportunities in different locations and healthcare settings.

RNs with an ADN and BSN degrees can usually work in:

Hospitals
Physicians’ offices
Home healthcare services,
Nursing care facilities
Outpatient clinics and schools
Military settings
At-home care (as travel nurses)

However, given their extensive preparation in managerial, administrative, and leadership skills, BSN nurses may find placement in more advanced settings and in higher positions within the same workplace. For instance, if you are interested in teaching or in being a case manager, a BSN will be the minimum qualification required. You may also aspire to various nursing specialties, such as research or public health. ADN-prepared nurses have limited access to roles and responsibilities that require a BSN degree.

ADN or BSN: Which One Is Better?

Choosing between an ADN and a BSN program depends on your current priorities and expectations for your career.

Here is what you need to know if you want to decide whether you should pursue an ADN or a BSN educational path:

You should consider getting an Associate degree in Nursing if you aim to start practicing as an RN as soon as possible and with the least time dedicated to education.
You should opt for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing if you can dedicate more time and resources to learning and wish to start with a higher degree that offers greater benefits and career opportunities.

According to national workforce surveys, more than half of new RNs now enter practice with a BSN or entry-level master’s degree, rather than an ADN. Overall, the share of the RN workforce whose highest nursing degree is a BSN or higher has grown from about 72% reported in 2022 to roughly 73% in the most recent 2024 data, and that percentage continues to rise.

It is important to remember that you always have the option of earning your BSN, and if you do so via a fast-track program, you won’t lose valuable time either.

At Nightingale College, we aim to provide you with the learning option that best fits your desires and career objectives:

If you are ready to study in a 3-year program that garners the best opportunities and benefits for your future, our BSN Program is ideal for you. Completing your learning online, along with on-ground supervised field experience, guarantees maximum flexibility and availability for you.
If you are already an RN and wish to advance your education, we offer a 1-year, fully online RN-to-BSN Program that helps you reach your career goals in the shortest time possible.

Discover our learning programs and enroll in the one that suits you best today!

ADN vs. BSN FAQs

Can You Be a Nurse With an Associate’s Degree?

Yes, getting an Associate Degree in Nursing is one of the main educational paths to becoming a registered nurse. It is also comparatively faster than earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, but it garners comparatively poorer benefits, including a lower average salary and fewer job opportunities.

Can BSN Nurses Teach or Have Administrative Roles?

Yes, BSN nurses can fill various educational and administrative positions, most of which require accreditation. However, certain teaching roles, such as that of a nurse educator, will require you to also complete a Master’s Degree in Nursing for Nurse Educators.

You can do so at Nightingale College, where the 2-year MSN Ed Program combines online and in-person instruction to provide you with the best learning experience available.

Enroll in the MSN Ed Program and achieve your desired nursing career!

Do Employers Prefer BSN Nurses More?

Yes. According to the latest employment surveys, about 1 in 4 employers require a BSN for new RN hires, and roughly three-quarters report a strong preference for BSN-prepared nurses, especially in hospitals and magnet facilities.
While having a BSN degree is a differentiating factor, your level of education as a registered nurse may not be as relevant as it has been in previous decades. This is due to the ongoing nurse shortage, which also requires employers to allow lower-level staff to meet demand.

Accepting nurses with ADN or comparable degrees is also a sure way to lower the burden on the more autonomous BSN nurses, thereby reducing stress and positively impacting the culture and environment that has generated an epidemic of nursing burnout.

In short, a BSN degree may attract better pay or higher positions, but it is no longer such a decisive factor for your job outlook.

Do Hospitals Prefer ADN or BSN Nurses?

Many hospitals may prioritize hiring BSN-educated nurses, and those that don’t may require RNs to earn a BSN during their time working there.

Plus, BSN RNs are qualified for the same jobs as ADN-prepared nurses. That is why a next-level degree would offer you more career flexibility in the long run.

If you want to earn your BSN or advance your education, Nightingale College has the right program for you.

If you start from zero, the 3-year BSN Program will prepare you to sit the NCLEX-RN and become a proficient registered nurse by combining online learning with on-ground supervised field experience, all with a concept-based educational approach.
If you are already a registered nurse and want to broaden your horizons, the RN-to-BSN Track can open new avenues for you. You can advance your education in just 1 year by completing an accelerated, 100% online curriculum.

Enroll in our educational programs and achieve your highest potential in the nursing field!

Sources

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McHugh, M. D., Porat-Dahlerbruch, J., & colleagues. (2025). The impact of nurse staffing and education on 30-day mortality among patients hospitalized for acute kidney injury. Research in Nursing & Health. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.70024
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