What’s the difference between an RN and a BSN? An RN is a registered nurse, while a BSN is a baccalaureate degree in nursing, which can lead to RN licensure. Other nursing degrees include an ADN; however, there are differences in education and career advancement opportunities.
The nursing and health care field uses many acronyms that can be confusing when first exploring career options. For example, what is an RN? What is a BSN? What’s the difference between RN vs. BSN?
If you are considering changing careers to become a nurse, Harding University’s Northwest Arkansas accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program can help you take the first step. You can leverage a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing in as few as 16 months, preparing you for the licensure exam.
You can prepare to take the next steps toward a nursing career by exploring these RN and BSN acronyms and more.
What is an RN?
What’s the difference between the RN and BSN acronyms in the health care domain? RN refers to a registered nurse, a health care professional who has earned a nursing degree, passed the NCLEX-RN exam and obtained a nursing license.
What is a BSN?
BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in nursing. It is an undergraduate degree that encompasses a blend of classroom instruction, nursing labs and clinical rotations. BSN students study a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as:
- Human anatomy
- Pathophysiology
- Human development
- Mental health
Traditional BSN programs take four years to complete; however, non-traditional students can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months through an accelerated BSN program. If you have already completed at least 64 college credits or earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, you may qualify for enrollment in Harding’s ABSN program. This accelerated program builds on your non-nursing education, allowing you to earn a nursing degree much sooner than the traditional route.
What’s the Difference Between a BSN and an RN?
It’s difficult to compare and contrast a BSN vs. RN as the former refers to a degree and the latter to a person. A BSN can lead to you becoming an RN, but it’s important to remember that earning a nursing degree is just the first step. Upon graduating from your BSN program, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to obtain a nursing license in your state, and afterward, regularly complete continuing education courses to keep your license active.
Discover what you can do with a nursing degree.
Is it RN BSN or BSN RN: How to Display RN Credentials
RN credentials indicate to health care professionals, government bodies and others an RN’s education and certifications. According to the American Nursing Credentialing Center, credentials should be displayed in the following order:
- Highest earned degree
- Licensure
- State designations or requirements
- National certifications
- Awards and honors
- Other recognition
According to the ANCC, the proper way to list your RN credentials is “BSN, RN.” This is because your nursing degree, in most cases, is the most permanent of your credentials and should be listed first.
ADN RN vs. BSN RN
As you explore nursing degrees, you may have also seen the acronym ADN. This stands for “associate degree in nursing” and is another nursing degree that paves the way to RN licensure. Here is a closer look at the differences and similarities between an ADN-prepared and a BSN-prepared RN.
Educational Requirements
Aspiring nurses can earn either an ADN or a BSN to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. Both degree programs share similar curriculum components such as nursing coursework, labs and clinical rotations; however, a BSN program’s curriculum is more comprehensive.
The admissions requirements for ADN and BSN programs are similar, although you’ll find differences from one school to the next. In general, students applying to either program are expected to have a high school diploma and meet minimum GPA requirements.
In accelerated BSN programs, students must have previous undergraduate education. For example, at Harding University, ABSN students must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 64 college credits, in addition to meeting the other admissions requirements.
Other requirements for nursing programs may include:
- Official transcripts
- A personal statement
- An admissions interview
- Professional or academic letters of recommendation
Educational Timelines
Another difference between ADN and BSN programs is the time to graduation. An ADN program typically requires two years to complete, while a BSN is a four-year degree.
The faster timeline of the ADN program may attract aspiring nurses who wish to enter the workforce sooner; however, there are drawbacks, such as potential limitations in career advancement.
Career Outlook
The career outlook may also differ between an ADN RN vs. BSN RN. For years, nursing organizations, executives and other key stakeholders have advocated for an increase in the number of BSN-prepared nurses.
Notably, Magnet hospitals, which are renowned for clinical excellence, require all nurse managers and leaders to hold at least a BSN. Similarly, the Veterans Administration now requires a BSN as the minimum educational qualification for promotion beyond entry-level.
Health care employers nationwide recognize that BSN-prepared nurses are better equipped to provide excellent clinical care. Consider the following findings compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing:
- An article published in Nursing Outlookfound that hospital settings with higher proportions of BSN-educated nurses saw lower rates of 30-day inpatient surgical mortality.
- A study published in Health Affairsfound that patients recovering from cardiac arrest in hospitals with higher proportions of BSN-educated nurses have greater odds of surviving to discharge with good cerebral performance.
- A study published in The Joint Commission Journal of Quality and Patient Safetyfound that BSN-educated nurses reported being significantly better prepared in 12 out of 16 areas related to patient care quality and safety than ADN-educated nurses.
Career Advancement
Earning a BSN, whether through a four-year or an accelerated program, opens greater potential for career advancement. Nurses who hold a BSN may be eligible to apply for graduate degree programs, such as a Master of Science in nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice, paving the way for further career advancement.
In contrast, nurses with an ADN often need to obtain a BSN before pursuing an advanced degree program; however, requirements may vary among schools.
When you earn a BSN first, you streamline the path toward earning a graduate degree. This can allow you to pursue leadership positions, such as becoming a health care administrator or manager or an advanced practice registered nurse.
ADN RN vs. BSN RN: Which Path Is Right for You?
Only you can decide whether the ADN or BSN path is right for you. While there are many benefits to earning a BSN, an ADN can allow you to become a nurse faster; however, if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 64 college credits, you can earn a BSN even faster through Harding’s ABSN program.
To decide which is right for you, consider your academic history, desired program length, the program’s clinical experiences and career goals.
Further explore the difference between ABSN vs. BSN programs.
What’s an ABSN?
An ABSN program is an undergraduate nursing program that confers a BSN. It is designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or some college credits to apply their academic history toward a BSN program, allowing them to graduate faster than traditional programs.
How an Accelerated BSN Program Works
ABSN programs offer the same quality of education you would expect from a traditional program. Because an ABSN student has already earned a bachelor’s degree or completed a certain number of college credits, they have already fulfilled the general education requirements that traditional BSN students spend the first two years completing.
As a result, an ABSN curriculum focuses primarily on advanced science and nursing courses, allowing students to earn a BSN quickly. Each accelerated program offers its own unique nursing curriculum; however, you can expect to participate in nursing coursework and hands-on experiences in nursing labs and clinicals.
At Harding University, the ABSN program includes:
- Online coursework: Students complete online coursework through an intuitive, engaging e-learning platform. This lays the foundation for the in-person ABSN experiences.
- Skills Labs: Students complete in-person nursing skills labs at the ABSN program site in Rogers, Arkansas. They will practice core nursing skills, such as nasogastric intubation, on high-fidelity medical manikins.
- Nursing Simulation Labs: In these labs, students participate in simulated clinical scenarios in which they assess medical manikins and respond to changes in patient conditions while working as a team with other students.
- Clinical Rotations: Clinical rotations allow students to provide real patient care under supervision at health care facilities throughout Northwest Arkansas. They will explore various nursing specialties and get the chance to network with health care professionals.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination with confidence and launch their nursing careers.
Who Is Eligible for an ABSN Program
While ABSN program admission requirements can vary, eligible students will need some level of undergraduate education, whether a bachelor’s degree or a certain number of college credits. At Harding, the ABSN admission requirements include:
- A non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 64 college credits
- Completion of all prerequisite requirements
- Completion of all six components of the Health Education Systems Inc. Admission Assessment exam
Benefits of Earning a BSN Through an ABSN
There are many benefits to earning a BSN through an ABSN, including:
- You can leverage your previous education to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.
- You will receive the same high-quality education you would expect from a traditional BSN program.
- You can complete coursework online through a flexible e-learning platform, allowing you to complete assignments when and where it is most convenient, provided you meet deadlines.
- You will gain valuable in-person experiences through labs and clinical rotations, preparing you for the licensure exam and future career.
Take the First Step Toward Becoming a Nurse Today
If you find that the opportunities associated with a BSN align with your goals, consider earning your degree on an accelerated timeline at Harding University. Our friendly admissions counselors are here to assist you in navigating the ABSN admissions requirements and process.
Take the first step toward your future. Request info today and connect with our admissions team to start your nursing journey.