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Authored by:
- AdventHealth University
Nurses are the heart of a health care system. They are often the first health care professionals many patients interact with, and they must be nurturing, resourceful, and highly skilled.
If you’re interested in nursing, it’s important to choose the right nursing program for your career goals. AHU offers two options to choose from to begin your nursing journey: an Associate of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Each degree has unique academic, financial, and career-related benefits. Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between a BSN and an ASN and which nursing school option is ideal for you.
What is an Associate Degree in Nursing?
An associate degree in nursing is often a two-year program, but at AHU, your degree can be completed in as little as 20 months. An ASN helps prepare you to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses and to become a registered nurse (RN).
The curriculum in an associate degree in nursing program generally offers foundational nursing classes covering topics such as mental health, pharmacology, and informatics. These classes will be supplemented with on-site clinical experience in local clinic rotations.
Earning an associate degree in nursing is a great option for students who want to quickly become an RN. Students transitioning careers or returning to nursing school after years away should consider an associate degree in nursing program, as it has fewer admission requirements and opens the door to nursing for more students.
What is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
A bachelor’s degree in nursing usually lasts between three and four years and offers a more comprehensive education and a deeper exploration of nursing theory than an ASN. It includes courses in nursing leadership and management, research, and professionalism, in addition to the foundational classes included in the associate degree in nursing.
With these higher-level classes, you’ll build a stronger foundation in nursing theory and concepts to take on more patient responsibility. You’ll have extra time to learn from your professors in clinical and classroom settings and can graduate with more hands-on experience than students who have attended an ASN program. Some hospitals emphasize Bachelor’s level nurses, so research hiring preferences for hospitals in your area.
You should consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing if you plan on advancing your nursing career to leadership or advanced practice positions.
Different Responsibilities Between the ASN and BSN
In addition to the educational differences between an ASN and a BSN, the professional duties and tasks nurses from each program are expected to perform differ.
Nurses with an associate degree in nursing usually focus on the technical, clinical hospital tasks and day-to-day care of patients — including checking in on patients, administering basic procedures, and updating patient charts. They typically perform duties like drawing blood and giving electrocardiograms — as well as checking blood pressure, temperature, and respiration. The curriculum of the ASN program prepares them to work with patients of every age: from infants to elderly patients.
Nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing perform these same tasks, but they can also adopt administrative and management roles, thinking critically about the overall initiatives and goals of the health care institution they work in. Many hospitals prefer bachelor's level nurses, as research shows their critical thinking skills enhance patient care and patient safety. Outside of the hospital, they can also take on roles in public health, nursing research, and education.
Deciding Between an ASN and a BSN
Now that you know the differences and similarities between associate and bachelor’s degree nursing programs, you can begin to decide which one is right for you. To help with your decision, here are some questions to ask yourself as you begin searching for nursing schools:
- How much time can you commit to a nursing program?
- Both an ASN and BSN are full-time degrees at AdventHealth University, but the length of the programs differ. Consider your commitments outside of school when deciding how long a program in which to enroll.
- When do you want to start your nursing career?
- Earning an associate degree in nursing will let you start working as an RN in about two years, whereas earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing means that it could take about three to four years before you can start your career.
- What are your career goals?
- There are many types of nursing paths — including registered nursing, licensed practical nursing, nurse practitioner, and more. The nursing program you attend depends on the nursing position you ultimately want to pursue. For example, with an associate degree in nursing, you will qualify for many RN positions, but to become a nurse practitioner, you would need to earn a Bachelor of Science and a master’s or doctoral degree. Similarly, if you want to take on leadership roles in your hospital or clinic, you will want to earn a BSN.
- How much tuition can you afford for nursing school?
- In most cases, an associate degree in nursing costs less than a BSN, thanks to the fewer credit hours. Make sure to look into possible financial aid and grants to help offset the costs of your nursing program. If you are employed as a nurse, many hospitals and health systems will offer tuition assistance toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing. AHU’s RN-to-BSN program is an example of a degree program aimed at nurses who want to return to school.
- Do you need a BSN right away?
- If you answered the above questions and realize you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, something else to consider is whether you need to earn one right away. You can always earn an ASN and return to school later once you are ready to advance your career. Many BSN programs give course credit for RNs with experience and recent ASNs.
Start Your Nursing Career at AdventHealth University
AdventHealth University offers both an Associate of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing — each designed to prepare you for a successful career as a nurse.
Our Associate of Science in Nursing program can be completed in as little as 20 months. You’ll learn from highly skilled nursing professionals who bring their years of real-world experience into the classroom to prepare you to excel both academically and professionally as a nurse. We integrate experiential learning in our classes, so you can apply your knowledge and skills to patients in real clinical settings.
Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. While many BSN programs are four years, our nursing program is only three years — saving you time and money.
Earning your BSN at AdventHealth University will give you access to cutting-edge clinical sites in Orlando, Florida, and Denver, Colorado. Each location will provide you with realistic replicas of patient rooms and nursing environments, complete with state-of-the-art nursing equipment and resources such as patient simulators.
In addition to practical nursing courses, you’ll also study leadership strategies in health care and professionalism in nursing to prepare for career advancement. Our Dedicated Education Unit at AdventHealth Orlando provides nursing students in their final trimesters an opportunity to work alongside a nurse delivering care to patients.
Our outstanding nursing faculty will guide you on the journey to earning your nursing degree and entering the job market to begin your career helping patients in your community heal and live healthier lives.
If you are interested in joining our associate degree in nursing program but are still considering earning a BSN, we make it easy for you to earn your ASN and seamlessly continue to work toward your BSN degree in as little as 12 months.
Learn more about our Associate of Science in Nursing curriculum.
Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum.
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Earn your ASN or BSN from AdventHealth University and start your nursing journey living the healing values of Christ.
