What's the difference between ADN and BSN degrees? An ADN is an Associate Degree in Nursing, and a BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Comparing an ADN vs. BSN reveals that a BSN prepares you more thoroughly to excel in nursing, as it has a more comprehensive curriculum.
Nursing is an excellent career choice for many reasons. Aside from the favorable job growth rate, lucrative salary potential, and opportunity to help others meaningfully, nurses can choose between various roles and specialties.
The first step to becoming a nurse is to earn a nursing degree. As you explore your academic options, questions such as “What is an ADN?” and “Should I choose an ADN vs. BSN?” may arise. If you feel that earning a BSN is right for you, you can leverage your non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits to earn one through Felician University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program.
Whether you choose an ADN or BSN, you can pursue a career in nursing; however, there are significant differences between ADN and BSN programs, and you should carefully consider your options before getting started.
What Is an ADN?
An ADN is an Associate Degree in Nursing. This is the minimum degree requirement needed to sit for the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure exam that all aspiring nurses must pass to obtain a nursing license from their state.
Some aspiring nurses prefer to enroll in an ADN program because it is shorter and typically requires less tuition than a BSN program; however, ADN-prepared nurses tend to face considerable career limitations. For example, if they want to advance their careers to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), they need to earn a BSN before pursuing graduate education.
What Is a BSN?
A BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Like an ADN, earning a BSN qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue nursing licensure. This program is longer than an ADN program, but a BSN is the preferred nursing degree among employers and nurses, offering better preparation and employment prospects.
Discover the top 10 benefits of earning a BSN.
The Differences Between ADN and BSN Programs
It is essential to weigh the differences between ADN or BSN programs. Reflect on your career goals to determine which program better aligns with your needs.
Length of the Programs
One of the main differences between an ADN and BSN is the time required to complete the program. Many aspiring nurses choose an ADN because it’s a quicker path to entering the workforce. A typical ADN program takes two years, while a standard BSN program often requires four years to complete.
There is an exception to the four-year BSN timeline. Some students may qualify to enroll in an accelerated program, such as Felician’s ABSN program in New Jersey. ABSN programs are designed for students with a non-nursing college education. Because of their previous education, students can eliminate courses that aren’t nursing-specific, allowing students to graduate in much less time than a traditional BSN program.
The lengths of accelerated BSN programs vary, but most allow students to graduate in less than two years, which is faster than typical ADN programs and traditional BSN programs. At Felician, ABSN students can graduate with a BSN in as few as 16 months.
Curriculum
It’s also important to consider the curriculum when comparing ADN vs. BSN degrees. Because an ADN program typically requires only two years to complete, the curriculum is less comprehensive than that of a BSN program.
A BSN program combines in-depth nursing theory with extensive skills and simulation labs. This comprehensive approach prepares future nurses to tackle clinical challenges and apply evidence-based research to improve patient outcomes.
You can expect the same level of quality from accelerated BSN programs as you would from traditional ones. At Felician, ABSN students can choose between the on-ground program, which is entirely in-person, and the hybrid program, which combines online coursework with in-person learning components.
Regardless of the course delivery method they choose, ABSN students participate in hands-on simulation training and in-person clinical rotations with Atlantic Health System and other leading healthcare providers throughout the Rutherford and Parsippany, New Jersey, areas. Students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for the licensure exam.
NCLEX Pass Rates
The NCLEX can be a formidable hurdle for nursing students nearing graduation. It’s a rigorous exam that requires months of preparation. The last thing you want is to have to retake the exam because you didn’t pass the first time. You would then have to deal with the stress of retesting and would have to wait to enter the nursing workforce.
A key difference between ADN and BSN programs is their graduates’ first-time NCLEX pass rates. For graduates of ADN programs, the 2025national average NCLEX pass rate was 86.1%. For BSN-prepared nurses, it was 87.6%. BSN programs prepare future nurses more thoroughly, regardless of whether they are accelerated programs. At Felician, ABSN graduates’ average NCLEX pass rate for the first three quarters of 2025 was 92.9%.
Salary Potential
All registered nurses have the potential to earn a good living. Individual salaries vary considerably, depending on employer, years of experience, nursing specialty, additional certifications, geographic location, and other factors.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2024, the median annual salary for all registered nurses (RNs) was $93,600.
Employer Preference
BSN-prepared nurses may also have an easier time finding a job. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has noted a significant shift toward employers preferring higher proportions of BSN graduates in hospitals over ADN graduates.
The AACN states that many employers, including Magnet hospitals, the U.S. military branches, and the U.S. Public Health Service, prefer or require better-educated nurses.
Opportunities for Career Advancement
Another compelling reason why a BSN may be a better choice than an ADN is the potential for career advancement.
BSN-prepared nurses are well prepared to take on roles in leadership and management. They have the education needed to enter Master of Science in Nursing programs and pursue additional nursing leadership and management training, or enter a doctoral program to enter the field of nursing research. They can even earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice to pursue an advanced degree in nursing education or leadership or become a board-certified APRN.
Learn what you need to know about earning an advanced nursing degree.
ADN vs. BSN: Which Is Right for You?
Is an ADN or BSN right for you? There is much to think about. On the one hand, an ADN might allow you to enter the nursing workforce sooner and require less investment; however, a BSN offers incredible career benefits and a more thorough education.
Don’t forget that pursuing a BSN doesn’t necessarily mean returning to college for another four years. If you already have a non-nursing college degree, you could graduate in as few as 16 months from an accelerated BSN program, such as Felician’s, less time than a typical ADN program.
Earn Your BSN at Felician University
At Felician, you can earn your BSN in as few as 16 months if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits. The ABSN program offers two course delivery options: an entirely on-ground program at the main campus in Rutherford, New Jersey, and a hybrid program at the ABSN learning site in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Through foundational nursing coursework and in-person experiential learning, Felician’s ABSN program can help you acquire the nursing skills you need to create favorable patient outcomes.
Contact an admissions counselor today to find out whether Felician’s ABSN program could be the right choice for you.