Key Takeaways
- An RN represents a licensed nursing professional, while a BSN denotes their academic credentials.
- You can become an RN without obtaining a BSN.
- It’s unlikely a BSN will be mandatory for nurses any time soon, despite more graduates entering the workforce with one than ever before.
A lot of letters follow a nurse’s name on their ID badge, with RN and BSN being the two most common combinations you’ll see.
But what is a BSN? Or an RN?
And if you want to pursue a career in nursing, which path best supports your professional goals?
In this blog, we’ll explore the difference between RN and BSN to help you make that decision.
What Is an RN?
RN stands for registered nurse.
You earn the title of RN after becoming licensed to practice in your state. This typically requires:
- Completing an accredited nursing program
- Passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
- Collecting a person’s vital signs prior to a routine medical appointment
- Educating families on their loved one’s condition and how to manage it at home
- Monitoring a patient’s progress following an operation
- Assisting physicians during complex procedures by preparing equipment and providing instruments
They work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Doctors’ offices
- Schools
- Outpatient clinics
- Residential care facilities
RNs also benefit from:
- Job security: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the number of nursing positions will grow five percent through 2034, faster than the average for all careers.
- Excellent pay: You can earn $93,600 each year, on average.
- Abundant opportunities: You can change jobs easily or work full time, part time, or per diem because of the demand for RNs. Nurses may specialize in certain populations too such as pediatrics or oncology.
What Is a BSN?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) refers to the four-year undergraduate degree that prepares you to become a registered nurse.
Compared to the other two educational pathways to RN licensure, a BSN includes broader coursework in areas such as nursing ethics, public health, and leadership in addition to hands-on clinical training.
You can also become a nurse by obtaining a(n):
- Nursing diplomas: Hospital-based programs that typically take two to three years to complete. You receive valuable practical experience, but less classroom education than a BSN, which could impact your future opportunities.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): A two-year degree that prepares you for an entry-level nursing role. The shorter timeline and lower cost make it a popular option. Many nurses with an ADN go on to obtain their bachelor’s degree, often with employer tuition assistance.
Difference Between RN and BSN
The difference between RN and BSN comes down to the following: an RN represents a licensed nursing professional, while a BSN denotes an academic credential.
A registered nurse may hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing but could also sit for the NCLEX-RN by finishing an ADN or diploma program.
Pros and Cons of Becoming an RN with a BSN
Forty-five percent of nurses enter the workforce with a BSN, according to the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.
Employers will hire those with another level of education, but depending on your goals, a bachelor’s degree in nursing can give you the competitive edge needed to achieve them.
The pros of becoming an RN with a BSN include:
- Leadership opportunities: A bachelor’s degree opens the door to management and charge nurse positions since the coursework emphasizes more than hands-on clinical training.
- Advanced education options: You must obtain a BSN to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice, the degrees required for nurse practitioner and other advanced practice registered nurse roles.
- Better outcomes: Research indicates hospitals with a higher proportion of RNs with a bachelor’s degree experience lower patient mortality, fewer complications, and shorter stays.
- Higher earning potential: BSN and ADN-educated nurses make about the same amount of money when they enter the field, but it tends to widen as those with a bachelor’s degree move into better-paying leadership positions.
Cons of taking the BSN route as an RN include the time and money needed to earn one.
Some institutions offer an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) option, which lets those with an undergraduate degree in another field earn their BSN in 12-18 months by fast-tracking the traditional coursework.
You can also earn your degree more affordably by completing your program’s prerequisites through an accredited online institution.
Yeeun Choi took the courses required for her ABSN program through Portage Learning.
Its self-directed format and affordable tuition helped Yeeun to continue supporting her parents while she made the pivot from computer science to healthcare.
“The flexibility and cost effectiveness of Portage Learning allowed me to maintain a high GPA and manage work and caretaking, which was key to my acceptance to Oregon Health and Science University,” Yeeun notes.
Some of the nursing prerequisites offered include:
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- Essential Biology I with Lab
- General Chemistry I with Lab
- Developmental Psychology
- English Composition
- Introduction to Statistics
- Microbiology with Lab
- Nutrition
Once she graduates, Yeeun wants to work as a psychiatric nurse and use her background in software engineering to create a better care system for non-English speaking patients.
“My parents don’t speak English, so I manage every part of their medical lives,” she explains. “And when I do, I don’t just translate words, I translate the gaps in healthcare, particularly for those without resources.”
Yeeun adds, “I would love to develop a digital tool, such as an app, that helps immigrants navigate the system, so they don’t have to struggle like my parents did.”
Will a BSN Be Mandatory for All Nurses?
No. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing will not be mandatory for nurses any time soon, despite more graduates joining the profession with one than ever before.
In 2017, New York passed a law that requires RNs to earn a BSN within 10 years of their initial licensure — the only state to do so.
Employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing views it as the minimal educational requirement for professional nursing practice. However, because of the growing demand for nurses across the country, ADN and diploma programs still provide a viable pathway to licensure after passing the NCLEX.
How to Earn Your BSN (Step-by-Step Guide)
Here’s how to build a broader nursing foundation by earning your BSN.
- Determine your educational path – and pick the best program for you
Do you plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree through a traditional or an accelerated program? Would getting an ADN first and then completing your BSN later work better?
Afterward, research where you want to study and what factors matter most to you. - Finish nursing school prerequisites
Ask your preferred institution what science and math courses you need to take, then knock them out. Most colleges require you to get a “C” or better in them. - Submit your application
Mark the deadlines for each nursing program you would like to apply to and gather the materials required as soon as it opens. You will likely need to:
- Send your official transcripts
- Pass the SAT or Test of Essential Academic Skills
- Write a personal essay
- Request letters of recommendation
- Complete an admissions interview
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree
This should be self-explanatory by now, right? - Apply for licensure
Submit an application for an RN license to the nursing regulatory body in the state where you want to practice. -
Pass the NCLEX-RN
You should begin preparing for the exam during the final year of your program. Some tips for success include:
- Joining a study group
- Listening to recorded lectures or podcasts
- Completing practice tests
Research shows cramming before an exam, such as the NCLEX-RN, can:
- Limit your retention and short-term memory
- Increase stress and fatigue, hurting your test performance
- Prevent true understanding of the material
After becoming a registered nurse, you can begin your career, putting your knowledge and skills into practice.
RN, BSN could follow your name on your ID badge.
And if you decide on that pathway, those letters will mean more – representing the education and commitment it took to become the nurse your patients trust.
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