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ASN and BSN Nursing Degrees

ASNRegistered Nurses deliver various treatments, care, counseling, and health information to patients. They’re educated, trained and certified in a multitude of abilities and areas; however, they don’t come from the same educational nursing path.

You will find 3 primary methods to get your Registered Nurse license. You can get it via diploma, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree programs. It’s highly suggested to obtain your RN through the associate’s or bachelor in nursing degree path because of the tighter competition in the nursing field nowadays. Employers prefer nurses with degrees rather than diplomas.

If your goal is to become a registered nurse you can either take an ASN or a BSN degree.  An ASN degree can be completed in less than two years while a BSN degree may require 4 years or more. If you took the diploma path, you must take another course to be able to qualify for the NCLEX.

The ASN graduate can work early since it takes 1 to 2 years earlier than BSN to be completed. Both the ASN and the BSN may start in the same position once they get a job. The difference between the ASN and the BSN path is that the BSN has more advantages in terms of career opportunities after graduation and getting the license. Once the BSN licensed nurse gets in position, he will enjoy a bigger salary as compared to the ASN licensed nurse.

You’ll hear lots of people say that there’s no difference between the two in terms of opportunities. However, the upgrade and advancement in the healthcare system require registered nurses to have the more complicated skills which are already learned by BSN licensed nurses. If you want to finish a year sooner, or maybe save on the tuition you may prefer the ASN course.  However, if you have the chance to obtain the BSN now, then it will be a much better option for you.

Why should an ASN Must Proceed to BSN?

If you already have an Associate Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, then you have a good foundation and skills to become a registered nurse. Once you finish the degree, you are then qualified to take the NCLEX test that will give you your license. Being an ASN gives you a good opportunity to start your career in the field of nursing. The short term program design of the ASN will make it more practical for some since it will allow you to pursue a BSN degree after you graduate.

asnHowever, if you already have work in a health care institution as a nurse, you will have a smaller salary as compared to nurses who finished a BSN degree. BSN holder nurses are more respected and more trusted due to their degree. But not to worry, your ASN course is just your stepping stone that will lead you to more advancement in the field. You can take the advancement course to BSN while you work. There are many schools who offer this program in a flexible and convenient way; specifically designed for working ASN or students.

When you become a registered nurse with an Associate of Science degree, you will have a range of demanding and exhausting responsibilities that allow you to assist patients in some way. However, the degree doesn’t train you that much and your skills may not be as advanced as what the BSN nurses have. Nurses with a BSN degree is are only required a short transition time to gain a position as a practitioner. But, you will get there. Just don’t stop studying and improving yourself. Invest in an advanced degree to grow professionally, gain more training to help more people, and, of course, earn a better and higher salary.