Jan 19, 2023 04:59 PM EST By David Thompson, UniversityHerald Reporter

The kind of training you receive when you decide to pursue nursing can influence your entire career. If you want to become a registered nurse within two years, you might be confused about which program to pursue between an ABSN or ADN. 

Despite it being a more knowledge-intensive degree, many people hesitate before pursuing an ABSN due to the higher price point and fewer places offering the program. Now, online accelerated BSN programs for non nurses are available, making it easier to get an ABSN degree. Here are five reasons why you should choose an ABSN program over ADN.

1. Get Your Nursing Degree Faster

In ABSN, the time taken to get the degree is shorter as you use a previous bachelor's degree to transfer credits. Due to this, students' coursework in the ABSN degree program is focused on nursing only. ABSN programs take 15 months on average to complete, while ADN programs take nine months more. 

There is a demand for new nurses to provide patient care because of the present nursing shortage in the USA. Through ABSN, you can pursue your registered nurse profession and begin working swiftly.

2. Earn More 

On average, nurses with bachelor's degrees earn more annually than nurses with associate degrees. For instance, in 2020, nurses with a BSN earned $10,000 more than nurses with an ADN degree. And after getting ABSN, you can choose a specialty to increase your income, earning more as a travel, neonatal, or emergency room nurse.

3. Learn Soft Skills

Nurses must acquire the technical abilities required for the position, but they also need to develop soft skills for interacting with patients and their families. These include clear communication, empathy, patience, working well with others, and more. 

In an ABSN degree, you will acquire the ability to exhibit professionalism and compassion, leading to improved nurse-patient and nurse-peer relationships. This isn't usually taught in ADN programs as they focus more on teaching routine patient care, such as monitoring patients, doing simple operations, or updating charts. 

4. Hospitals Prefer Hiring ABSN Nurses

82.4% of employers strongly prefer to hire nurses with a BSN degree. Although ADN is the minimum prerequisite for nursing licenses, employers know that ABSN holders have more knowledge and abilities that are advantageous to their medical practice. Many hospitals even demand that ADN nurses finish a BSN program within two to five years of employment if hired. 

Hospitals also prefer a BSN degree so they can achieve a Magnet status, a recognition based on the performance of the nursing staff. The prestigious distinction shows that a hospital offers enhanced patient care.

5. Become a More Knowledgeable Nurse

In ADN, the focus is on patient care. However, ABSN goes a step ahead and offers a global perspective and curriculum that includes patient education, decision-making, community health, and leadership preparation. You work with new techniques and advancements in the field. The ABSN program teaches flexibility and preparedness, making you capable of providing high-quality care.

Endnote

If you want a career with better prospects, then ABSN is perfect for you. However, if your budget is low, then pursuing it might not be a good idea. Regardless of the course you choose, in the end, you can become a registered nurse who will have the chance to improve both your patients and your own life. 

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