ADN vs. BSN: which nursing degree?

What's the same

• Both lead to the NCLEX-RN and an RN license.
• Both must be approved by a state board of nursing for graduates to take the exam.
• Both include supervised clinical experience.

What's different

• Length: BLS says BSN programs typically take 4 years. ADN programs are offered by many community colleges; ask each school how long its program takes for a full-time student, including prerequisites.
• Depth: BSN programs usually add coursework in areas such as leadership, research and public health.
• Next steps: A BSN is the usual starting point for graduate nursing degrees, such as becoming a nurse practitioner.
• Hiring: Some employers prefer or require a BSN. BLS's Employment Projections list a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for registered nurses.

Ways to combine them

• ADN, then RN-to-BSN: work as an RN while finishing a bachelor's, often part time or online.
• LPN-to-RN bridge: for LPN/LVNs moving up.
• Accelerated BSN: for people who already have a bachelor's degree in another field.

How to choose

Weigh time, cost, how soon you need to earn, and where you want to be in five years. Then check each program's approval, accreditation and NCLEX pass rates. How to choose a program.