The Differences Between an Associate Degree Vs. a Bachelor's Degree for a Registered Nurse

Both an associate's and a bachelor's degree will qualify you to take the nursing license examination.

Deciding to become a nurse is only the first step in choosing the right path of education for you. You must still choose whether to pursue an associate's degree or to enter a bachelor's degree program. Each has its advantages and disadvantages that you need to be aware of before picking a program that will meet your future career needs and expectations.

Differences in Subject Matter

Many of the basic courses for associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees are the same. Both degrees include education required for nurses on subjects such as nutrition, drug administration, clinical procedures and regulations. The bachelor's degree also offers education in nursing theory, informatics (nursing technology), communication, critical thinking and leadership. Bachelor's degree programs also give the student more clinical experience than those in associate's degree programs receive. The associate's degree takes from two to three years to complete, while the bachelor's degree is a four-year program.

Associate's Degree

Because the associate's degree can be completed in less time, it is a good choice for those wanting or needing to enter the workforce more quickly. You can take an associate's degree program at a community college and save money on tuition costs. If you want to continue your education once you are working, you may be able to qualify for tuition-reimbursement programs through your employer. An associate's degree can be limiting, however. Many employers require applicants to have a bachelor's degree. Advancements and specialties are also often off-limits to those with only associate's degrees.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree provides you with the level of education demanded by all employers. It gives you a more thorough scope of knowledge than an associate's degree. This higher-level degree also qualifies you for many advances and areas of specialization, such as teaching or supervision. You may also qualify for tuition reimbursement to take classes for a master's degree, which allows you an advanced level of licensing and increases your earning potential. A bachelor's degree does take longer to acquire, however, so you need to plan to go to school for at least four years. Classes are also more expensive at four-year colleges than at two-year colleges.

Outlook

The outlook for nursing positions is better than for most industries until 2018, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 projections. The difference in pay between nurses entering the field with either degree is usually not more than a dollar per hour, but not as many jobs are available for those with associate's degrees because more employers are asking for bachelor's degrees. At the time of publication, there is a legislative bill pending in Michigan that would allow authorized community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees in nursing, making the degree more affordable for those who choose associate's programs only because of the costs.

References

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing; Fact Sheet; Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce; April 2011
• United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition: Registered Nurses
• Michigan Votes: 2011 House Bill 4496: Authorize Certain Community Colleges Bachelor's Degrees
• Nursing Link: ADN vs. BSN: Which Should You Choose