The ADN vs BSN salary shows the different levels of nursing pay for a two-year nursing degree vs a four-year nursing degree. Many prospective nursing students may be wondering to themselves, ‘should I get an ADN or BSN?’. Before making a decision, it’s important to consider the ADN vs BSN salary difference.
What is the Difference Between a BSN vs ADN Salary?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree, whereas an associate degree in nursing (ADN) can be completed in two or three years. Therefore, when it comes to a BSN vs ADN salary, the former has higher earning potential. Both degrees will equip you with the skills that will land you a high paying job in the nursing field. But when you compare the average BSN vs ADN salary, those with a bachelor’s degree make over $15,000 more per year than their colleges with an associate degree. The average BSN salary in the United States is $85,356, vs $69,662 for the average ADN graduate. More often, BSN graduates take managerial and leadership roles.
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The ADN vs BSN salary debate is important to ponder before you commit to a program. A BSN is a good choice for administrative or leadership positions within an organization. But those who are solely interested in becoming an RN may not benefit from the extra years of schooling and would be better off with an ADN. A bachelor’s degree is naturally more expensive and time-consuming than an associate degree – which should be taken into consideration when looking at an ADN vs BSN salary.
What are the Benefits of BSN vs ADN?
The benefits of a BSN vs ADN are confusing for individuals considering nursing school. Both degrees will prepare you for employment as a registered nurse. The difference is that a BSN will equip you with the skills to manage nursing staff and handle more advanced procedures. As a result, BSN graduates have a higher earning potential because a bachelor’s degree equips them with the skills to handle more complex tasks. Both are valuable degrees that will lead to a plethora of career opportunities. However, the benefits of BSN vs ADN degrees is that a bachelor’s degree will open up more opportunities for advancement and high salaries compared to an associate’s degree.
Should I Get My ADN or BSN?
Many prospective nursing students may be asking themselves, ‘should I get my ADN or BSN?’. The answer is that it all depends on your professional goals. Those seeking to advance in their career can take on managerial or administrative positions in a hospital or other organization. They should consider a BSN. However, those primarily interested in becoming a nurse should consider an ADN.
Some people learn better on the job than in the classroom, while others excel in an academic setting. Having a BSN doesn’t guarantee that you will get a top position, and there are always ways to advance without it. But in general, a BSN will open the door to more opportunities and higher salaries because it requires more years of schooling.
Also, keep in mind that a BSN is a more expensive degree. An ADN takes only two years or less, and an ADN will cost anywhere from $6,000- $40,000, depending on where you go, whereas BSN degrees are known to range from $40,000 – $200,000. Keep this in mind when you are asking, yourself ‘should I get an ADN or BDN?’. For many people, the extra cost for a bachelor’s may be worth it. But for others, the debt and extra years of schooling may not be advantageous.
Should I Get an ADN and Then My BSN?
If you’re having trouble deciding between the two degrees you may be thinking, ‘should I get an ADN and then my BSN?’. While there is nothing stopping you if you have the time and money to spend on two degrees, most people are better off choosing one or the other. Both degrees will prepare you to become an RN and therefore getting an ADN and then a BSN may feel a bit redundant.
For those with aspirations of working in a higher-level position within an organization, or how who know that want to work at a particular hospital that only accepts candidates with a BSN, it’s probably smarter to go after a bachelor’s from the beginning. The exception is if you cannot afford a BSN initially. You may decide to get an ADN first and then go back to school to improve your career prospects after working and saving up for a few years.
More education is never a bad thing if you have the ability. But, if you’re asking yourself, ‘should I get an ADN or BSN?’, you should probably choose one or the other. You’ll save time and money if you choose a career path from the beginning.
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