Earning a degree in nursing can lead to a wide range of career benefits. The American Nurses Enterprise lists flexible scheduling options, a growing number of job opportunities, favorable earnings potential, and rewarding work as just a few of the advantages of becoming a nurse.
Individuals who want to become registered nurses (RNs) can begin their career journey by enrolling in either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree program. Earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can prepare individuals to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which is required for RN licensure. Additionally, existing RNs with an associate degree can enhance their career by completing an RN to BSN degree program.
Becoming familiar with nursing degree programs and comparing associate versus bachelor’s in nursing degree options is the first step toward entering a fulfilling career in nursing practice.
Defining Associate vs. Bachelor’s in Nursing Degrees
For those who are looking into potential careers to support a family, nursing is a great option to consider. Along with a bright employment outlook, individuals can take multiple paths to become RNs:
- Earn an AAS in Nursing or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Earn a BSN
Both associate degree programs and bachelor’s degree programs in nursing can provide the expertise needed to take the NCLEX-RN, which the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers. After passing the exam, individuals can apply for state licensure to work as RNs.
In addition, whether individuals pursue an AAS in Nursing or a BSN, they will acquire fundamental skills in nursing that they will use throughout their nursing careers. Earning either degree requires students to:
- Take courses in traditional classrooms
- Perform laboratory work
- Complete clinical hours, which give students valuable experience in providing nursing care to patients in real-world settings
Both degrees also prepare aspiring nurses to work in various healthcare settings, including:
- Community healthcare centers
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Physicians’ offices
- Outpatient healthcare organizations
- Schools
Earning a BSN can help individuals develop more advanced expertise as their nursing careers grow. For example, individuals who initially earn an AAS to become RNs can later enroll in an RN to BSN degree program, which can lead to higher-level nursing jobs. These programs are tailored to the educational needs of RNs who don’t already have a bachelor’s degree.
Additionally, RNs with a BSN can enroll in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs that can help them move into more advanced roles, such as nurse practitioner (NP).
Duration and Curricula of Associate and Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Nursing
In deciding whether to pursue an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, it’s important to consider the duration and curricula of the programs.
Associate Degree Duration and Curriculum
Students attending school full time can complete an ADN in about two years.
The curriculum covers core subjects such as:
- Biology
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Chemistry
The curriculum also covers subjects such as:
- Foundations of nursing
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Obstetrics nursing
The nursing courses that students take typically include classroom instruction, clinical practice, and laboratory work.
Bachelor’s Degree Duration and Curriculum
In contrast to nursing associate degrees, traditional BSN degree programs typically take about four years to complete if students attend full time.
Bachelor’s degree in nursing programs offer students more extensive training than associate degree programs provide. In addition to taking courses in the core subjects and nursing subjects that would be offered in an associate degree program, individuals enrolled in BSN programs take courses in subjects such as:
- Nursing theory and professional practice
- Nursing research
- Population and global health
- Community health nursing
- Nursing leadership
For nurses who are already licensed RNs, an RN to BSN program can be completed in about two years or less. These programs add advanced nursing coursework to the foundational knowledge acquired through an associate degree program.
Career Outcomes for Individuals Who Complete Associate Degrees and Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing
Whether they earn an AAS in Nursing or a BSN, graduates will be prepared to perform RN duties such as the following:
- Assessing patients’ health conditions
- Administering patient treatments
- Observing patients
- Taking patients’ medical histories
- Facilitating diagnostic tests
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals
- Educating patients about their health conditions and managing these conditions
Both salary levels and employment prospects for RNs are attractive:
- RNs earned a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- The BLS projects that positions for RNs will increase by 5% between 2024 and 2034, with an average of 189,100 job openings for RNs each year through 2034.
Individuals deciding whether to pursue an associate or a bachelor’s degree in nursing should keep in mind that some employers prefer that the RNs they hire possess a BSN, which can affect nurses’ career options. This can apply to advanced nursing careers such as public health nurse, clinical research nurse, and nurse manager.
Prospective nurses should also consider whether they want to earn certifications to move into particular areas of registered nursing. While RNs can earn many certifications with an associate degree, nurses need a BSN to earn certain nursing certifications. This could affect a nurse’s career options. For example:
- To be eligible to earn Nursing Informatics-Board Certified (NI-BC) certification, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) requires nurses to have a bachelor’s (or higher) degree in nursing.
- To be eligible to earn Nurse Executive-Board Certified (NE-BC) certification, the ANCC requires nurses to have a bachelor’s (or higher) degree in nursing.
Earning Either a Nursing Associate Degree or a Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Can Prepare You for a Rewarding Career
Whether you opt to earn an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can gain the expertise needed to have a fulfilling, lifelong career helping patients improve their health. Each day, nurses conduct important work that allows them to make a significant difference in the lives of others.
If you’re interested in acquiring nursing knowledge and skills, explore the nursing degree programs that Mid-America Christian University offers to learn how those programs can help you reach your career goals. The University offers:
- Associate of Arts (AA) in Pre-Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Start working to achieve your career ambitions in nursing today.
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Sources:
American Nurses Association, ADN vs BSN: Which Is Right for You?
American Nurses Association, The Levels of Nursing Practice
American Nurses Association, Why Is Nursing a Good Career Choice?
American Nurses Credentialing Center, Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC)
American Nurses Credentialing Center, Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC)
Cleveland Clinic, Registered Nurse
Fusion Medical Staffing, “ADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Degree Is Right for You?”
Mid-America Christian University, 2025-2026 Academic Catalog: Undergraduate and Graduate
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2025 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses