Associates versus Bachelors: Nursing Program Pros and Cons

Choosing a career is half the battle. Now, you need to figure out which path in that career to take, beginning with your education. You know you want to be a nurse, but can’t decide between getting your ADN (Associates Degree in Nursing) or BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). You can’t wait to begin working as a nurse, but want to set yourself up for a successful and financially secure future. What do you do?

What’s the Difference?

Associate’s Degree Program (ADN)

An Associate’s Degree in Nursing and a passing score on the NCLEX-RN can have you working as a nurse in approximately 2-3.5 years (including time to study for the NCLEX-RN). While the Nursing component of an ADN program, complete with nursing classes and clinical rotations, may only take 21-24 months to complete, some schools may have prerequisite classes like humanities, communications, and the social sciences that need to be taken prior to enrollment in the program, making your education take a little bit longer. Two-year associate degree programs are offered at private vocational schools and community colleges, so that extra time shouldn’t break the bank like it would at a university.

There are definitely benefits to getting your ADN over a BSN. For one, you’ll finish your schooling earlier with an ADN, getting you out on the floor, working with patients, and, more importantly, earning money, sooner. Fewer years of schooling also means spending less on tuition, which is certainly an advantage.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. An ADN may limit your career options in the long run. While most nursing specialties don’t require a BSN, if you’re looking to earn more long term and possibly take on a management or nurse practitioner role, you will need a higher level of education.

Bachelor’s Degree Program (BSN)

A Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing and a passing score on the NCLEX-RN can have you working as a nurse in approximately 4-5.5 years. Four-year nursing programs not only require clinical rotations and nursing classes, but a liberal arts education to supplement and enhance your nursing education. Additional theory-based courses in technology, leadership, and research may be included in BSN programs.

Though it was once the road less traveled, choosing to get a BSN over an ADN has its perks. In addition to getting a more well-rounded education, you can certainly increase your earning potential and open yourself up to a wider range of job opportunities. Specialized areas of nursing, like perioperative, critical care, and health policy, require at least a bachelor’s-level degree. If you plan to become a certified nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner, specialties that require advanced degrees, having a BSN puts you one step closer to achieving your goal.

In all likelihood, you won’t see the immediate benefit of getting a BSN over an ADN because of the additional time and money spent in school. It’s easy to feel like the costs outweighs the benefits, but many hospitals today are requiring nurses to have a BSN. Investing the time and money earlier on is much easier than having to go back to school for an RN to BSN program because your job requires a BSN. At that point, you may have unrelenting responsibilities like children, work, or a mortgage, which can make school difficult to squeeze in.

How Do You Choose?

With so many options out there, it’s hard to narrow down a school. Maybe you start looking at places with high-employment outlook for nurses or places where you could see yourself settling down. Maybe you have family that lives somewhere far away and you would like to be closer to them. In large, metropolitan areas like Las Vegas, nursing programs are easily accessible and you can expect high-employment outlook, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

It is also helpful to figure out what kind of nurse you want to be. Take this five-minute quiz to determine the education level required for the nursing specialty that best suits you.

Nursing Conference June 21-22, 2019

What Is a Missionary Nurse?

A missionary nurse cares for patients in underdeveloped and developing regions of the world, usually through work with religious groups or churches, non-profit organizations and humanitarian groups. Missionary nurses provide much needed basic healthcare in areas of the world that may not have access to medical technology or necessary resources such as antibiotics, vaccines or even clean drinking water. In addition to providing healthcare services, missionary nurses also provide spiritual care for their patients, often sharing their religious beliefs with the local community.

Becoming a Missionary Nurse

As in other nursing careers, aspiring missionary nurses must first complete their Associate's Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. During the course of the nursing education, elective courses in international nursing and/or foreign languages would be particularly useful for a missionary nurse. In addition, missionary nurses must have a strong foundation in spiritual beliefs and religious knowledge in order to work with a church or other religious organization.

A typical job posting for a missionary nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of employer and location:

• ADN or BSN-level education and active RN license
• Prior professional nursing experience required and Certification in Basic Life Support preferred
• Foundational religious knowledge and beliefs if working with a spiritual organization
• Interest in international travel and working with people from different cultures
• Knowledge of applicable foreign language and customs a plus

To search and apply for current missionary nurse positions, visit our job boards.

What Are the Education Requirements for Missionary Nurse?

A position as a missionary nurse requires an ADN or BSN degree as well as an active RN license. In addition, a background in religious studies, international nursing and/or foreign language skills are particularly helpful and professional nursing experience is generally required. Missionary nurses must also hold a current unrestricted travel visa and valid passport. Nursing licensure in the country where they will be practicing may also be required, and is often coordinated by the organization for which a missionary nurse works.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While not always a requirement for missionary nursing positions, many missionary nurses hold the Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Additionally, missionary nurses must hold a current unrestricted travel visa and valid passport before they can leave the U.S. to work as a missionary nurse.

Where Do Missionary Nurses Work?

Missionary nurses work all over the world in underdeveloped and developing regions in need of basic healthcare services. They often work with churches, non-profit organizations and humanitarian groups, who coordinate the logistics of their travel and assignments. In the field, missionary nurses may treat patients in hospitals, clinics or rural areas visiting patients at home or in community centers, churches or schools.

What Does a Missionary Nurse Do?

Missionary nurses perform the same basic tasks as traditional RNs, including assessing and caring for patients who are ill or injured. As part of their daily work, they may administer vaccinations and medications, dress wounds or treat broken bones. In addition to these tasks, a key component to missionary nursing is working in an environment with limited resources, such as a lack of clean running water, electricity or telephone service. Because preventing illness and infection is critical in these locations, missionary nurses also work to educate patients and communities about proper hygiene, how to prevent infection and the spread of disease as well as basic health and dental care skills. Providing spiritual counsel to patients is also a key component of the missionary nurse's job, which may include preaching, distributing or telling religious stories or sharing their individual beliefs. Depending on the location and organization a missionary nurse works with, he/she may also participate in non-medical humanitarian efforts such as digging wells, building homes or teaching basic skills like reading and writing.

 What Are the Roles and Duties of a Missionary Nurse?

• Provide direct patient care to underserved populations, including treating basic illnesses and injuries, administering vaccinations and medicines, and dressing wounds
• Educate patients about proper health and dental care, basic hygiene and how to prevent infection and the spread of disease
• Assist in setting up clinics and training local medical staff
• Provide spiritual counsel to patients and local community

Missionary Nurse Salary & Employment

Missionary nurses generally enter the field because they consider it their spiritual or moral calling, rather than focusing on the salary to be made in the field. In fact, many missionary nurses work as volunteers. However, salary varies widely based on the organization that employs the nurse, and there is a high demand for trained medical staff to work in impoverished areas of the world.

Nursing Conference June 21-22 2019

What Is a Substance Abuse Nurse?

A substance abuse nurse, sometimes referred to as an addiction nurse, specializes in the treatment of patients addicted to drugs, alcohol or other substances. Substance abuse nurses are trained in mental health in addition to general medicine. They provide pain management, education for patients and caregivers about the dangers of substance abuse and emotional support to patients in crisis.

Becoming a Substance Abuse Nurse

As with other nursing careers, the first step in becoming a substance abuse nurse is to complete an Associate's Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to gain a general nursing education. For aspiring addiction nurses, elective courses in mental health will be particularly important. Once a nurse has completed schooling, they must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. From there, an RN may begin work as a substance abuse nurse. Once a nurse has completed 2,000 hours of professional nursing experience in the substance abuse sector and 30 hours of continuing education related to addictions nursing within the last three years, he or she may sit for the Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) certification exam offered by the International Nurses Society on Addictions. While not required for all substance abuse nursing positions, the CARN certification communicates a nurse's commitment to substance abuse nursing to prospective employers.

A typical job posting for a substance abuse nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of employer and location:

• ADN or BSN degree and valid RN license
• Ability to make safe judgment calls in patient care
• Strong communication skills for educating patients and their families about the dangers of substance abuse and their treatment options
• Proficiency in computer programs and data entry for maintaining patient records
• Experience in mental health and/or addiction preferred
• Caring and professional demeanor with compassion for patients struggling with addiction

To search and apply for current substance abuse nurse positions, visit our job boards.

What Are the Education Requirements for Substance Abuse Nurses?

Substance abuse nurses are generally required to have completed an ADN or BSN degree and to hold a valid RN license in the state in which they plan to practice. A higher nursing degree is usually not required, but elective courses in mental health and addiction are critical for nurses interested in pursuing a career in substance abuse nursing.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While not required for most substance abuse nursing positions, RNs who wish to specialize in addiction nursing may consider becoming a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse. The International Nurses Society on Addictions sponsors this exam, which is open to RNs who have completed 2,000 hours of professional experience in substance abuse nursing and 30 hours of continuing education related to addictions nursing within the last three years. This certification offers RNs a competitive edge when seeking employment or advancement as a substance abuse nurse.

Where Do Substance Abuse Nurses Work?

Substance abuse nurses work with patients and their families in a variety of settings, including:

• Mental health clinics
• Psychiatric wards in hospitals
• Inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities

What Does a Substance Abuse Nurse Do?

A substance abuse nurse provides direct patient care to individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction. They assist physicians in developing treatment plans, perform patient assessments, monitor a patient's progress and administer medications and pain management services. An important aspect of substance abuse nursing is mental health and emotional support services. Substance abuse nurses often conduct mental health screenings and provide emotional support for patients and their families during treatment. They also educate patients and their loved ones about the dangers of substance abuse and provide resources and information about the various treatment options for addiction.

To learn more, please visit Nursing Conferences 2019 June 21-22, 2019
https://nursingcongress.nursingconference.com/conference-brochure.php