Graduating with your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a huge accomplishment. You’ve studied for exams, practiced your skills in labs, and gained hands-on experience in clinical rotations. For some ADN graduates, the next question is: Should I keep going toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)?

An ADN-to-BSN pathway can help you build on your nursing education and gain skills in leadership and patient care. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about an ADN-to-BSN program, including how it works and the benefits of getting your BSN.

What Is an ADN-to-BSN Program?

An ADN-to-BSN program offers a pathway for licensed registered nurses (RNs) to build on their ADN and continue toward a bachelor’s degree. This pathway allows you to apply eligible credits from your ADN education to earn your BSN in less time than a traditional program.

It generally takes 4 years to earn a BSN if you’re starting from the beginning. After completing an ADN program, an can help you get your BSN in about 2 years or less.

Why Go From an ADN to a BSN?

Earning a BSN won’t change your RN licensure, but it will help you build on the skills you learned in your ADN program. Compared to an ADN program, a BSN curriculum generally includes in-depth coursework in nursing research, community health, public health, and nursing leadership, according to the (AACN).

The benefits of moving from an ADN to a BSN can include:

• Expand your nursing skills. Completing an ADN-to-BSN program can help you deepen your clinical knowledge and gain skills in leadership, healthcare policy, and evidence-based practices.
• Explore new career opportunities. With a BSN, you may be eligible for more positions that require a bachelor’s degree, including leadership roles or specialty tracks. Some Magnet-designated hospitals may also prefer to hire RNs with bachelor’s degrees.
• Prepare for graduate study. If you eventually want to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a BSN can be an essential step for your graduate studies.

How Does an ADN-to-BSN Pathway Work?

In an ADN-to-BSN program, you can use your past education to continue toward a BSN. You won’t need to start over or retake coursework you’ve completed in your ADN program.

The process to continue from an ADN to a BSN generally looks like this:

1. Earn Your ADN

First, you’ll need to finish your ADN program. In an ADN program, you can learn to provide essential nursing care in different healthcare settings. ADN programs include a combination of coursework, simulation labs, and clinical rotations.

These programs generally take about 2 years to complete, though some programs can be done sooner. For example, the ADN program at our sister school, American Career College, takes approximately 20 months.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN

Once you graduate with your ADN, you can take the (NCLEX-RN). This exam tests your knowledge of core nursing fundamentals and clinical practices. It’s a 5-hour exam with 85 to 150 questions.

If you can, aim to take the NCLEX-RN within a few weeks of your graduation. That way, the material will be fresh in your mind.

3. Apply to an RN-to-BSN Program

After becoming licensed, you can begin to apply for jobs. You may begin working as an RN at a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility.

If you choose to continue your education, you can apply to an RN-to-BSN program. Some students complete these programs while working, while others go to school full time. The choice is up to you.

As you research ADN-to-BSN programs in your area, pay attention to the admission requirements. These can vary by program, but may include:

• Minimum GPA requirements
• Official transcripts from your ADN program
• A valid, active RN license

Besides admission requirements, make sure you also understand a program’s policy on transferring credits. This policy can affect how many credits you’ll need in order to graduate with your BSN. At ºìÌÒ´«Ã½, eligible RN-to-BSN students can transfer up to 90 credits from an ADN program, leaving them with only 30 BSN credits to complete.

Keep in mind that the school where you earned your ADN may have partnerships with other institutions for an RN-to-BSN pathway. ºìÌÒ´«Ã½ partners with American Career College to offer a direct pathway into ºìÌÒ´«Ã½â€™s RN-to-BSN program for ACC graduates who meet eligibility requirements. Check with your school to see if they offer a similar partnership.

4. Work Toward Your BSN

After completing your ADN and passing the NCLEX-RN, you can begin preparing to pursue a BSN. Many nurses choose to gain experience as registered nurses before enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program, while others continue their education shortly after licensure, depending on their goals and financial circumstances. Some schools, like ºìÌÒ´«Ã½, may offer online coursework, which can give you some flexibility if you want to keep working while going to school.

The timeline for earning your BSN can vary based on the program and your transfer credits. At ºìÌÒ´«Ã½, we offer three paces for completing the RN-to-BSN program:

• Accelerated Plus pace: 8 months
• Accelerated pace: 12 months
• Working Professional pace: 20 months

The Accelerated Plus pace may be ideal if you want to finish your degree sooner, while the Working Professional option can help you balance school, work, and other commitments. The Accelerated pace offers a middle ground if you want to make steady progress toward a BSN while still having time for other responsibilities.

What Classes Do You Take in an RN-to-BSN Program?

An RN-to-BSN curriculum typically focuses on advanced nursing topics and professional development. These are the courses offered in ºìÌÒ´«Ã½â€™s RN-to-BSN program:

• Principles of Leadership for Healthcare Organizations
• Pathophysiology
• Resiliency, Professionalism, and Career-Long Learning
• Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
• Community and Public Health Nursing
• Health Literacy and Nursing Capstone
• Introduction to Advanced Nursing Roles
• Emerging Trends in Nursing and Healthcare
• Interprofessional Collaboration and Communication

These courses are offered 100% online, so you can study when it’s convenient for you. As part of the program, you’ll also complete 90 direct clinical hours to gain hands-on experience.

Continue Your Nursing Education With ºìÌÒ´«Ã½

An ADN-to-BSN pathway may be a good fit if you want to expand your nursing skills, explore leadership opportunities, or prepare for graduate-level education. This pathway can allow you to apply your ADN education toward a bachelor’s degree without starting over.

The RN-to-BSN program at ºìÌÒ´«Ã½ is designed for licensed RNs who want to advance their education. We partner with American Career College to help eligible graduates continue their nursing education. With a fully online program, different pacing options, and a generous transfer credit policy, you can go from an ADN to a BSN in anywhere from 8 to 20 months!

If you’re ready to keep moving forward in your nursing career, contact us today to schedule an information session.

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