BSN vs. RN: What Is the Difference?
A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at CTU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path
BSN is the abbreviation for “Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” which is not a nursing license or a type of nurse but rather the degree that is conferred upon graduating from a four-year undergraduate nursing program. RN is the abbreviation for “registered nurse.” It is both a licensing credential and what we call a nurse who has earned that credential.
You may earn the RN credential and become an RN without holding a BSN, but earning a BSN does not automatically make you an RN. Additionally, while some BSN programs will accept candidates who are not already registered nurses, RN-to-BSN degree programs may only be pursued by candidates who are actively licensed RNs. If this sounds a bit confusing, don’t despair. Our BSN vs. RN discussion below should help to clarify the differences between them. After that, we explore how to become an RN and give a general overview of RN-to-BSN degree completion program requirements.
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What Is a BSN?
A BSN is a four-year nursing degree. Some Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs will admit students who are not RNs. In such cases, the BSN program serves to fulfill the education prerequisite for taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam.
Other bachelor’s degree in nursing programs are structured as RN-to-BSN completion programs, or bridge programs. These programs are specifically designed for registered nurses. To be eligible for admission, candidates must already have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or RN diploma program and obtained RN licensure.
What Is an RN?
A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who is licensed to provide hands-on patient care, coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about health conditions, and offer advice and emotional support to patients and their families.1
To become an RN, the first step is to complete an in-person or online RN diploma program or associate degree in nursing program. The next step is to prepare for, sit for, and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCELX-RN) exam. After satisfying these RN requirements, the final step on the path toward becoming a registered nurse is to obtain state licensure (licensing requirements vary by state).
Potential RN Career Paths
RN duties and job titles depend on where they work and the patients they work with. Some examples are:
- addiction nurses,
- cardiovascular nurses,
- critical care nurses,
- genetics nurses,
- neonatal nurses,
- nephrology nurses,
- public health nurses
- rehabilitation nurses.1
However, not all RNs necessarily work directly with patients: for example, actively licensed registered nurses may be nurse educators, healthcare consultants, or hospital administrators.1
Generally, RNs who have graduated from an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or diploma program in nursing may pursue entry-level positions as a staff nurse. But some employers, typically hospitals, may require a BSN for these positions.1
RN-to-BSN Requirements, in General
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree programs usually include not only science courses but also courses on communication, leadership, and critical thinking.1
RN-to-BSN degree programs, such as the one at Colorado Technical University, may cover topics such as informatics, community health, ethics, leadership management, and evidence-based practice. To help avoid duplication of coursework, RN-to-BSN programs may award candidates credits toward degree completion for holding a valid RN license; an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or a nursing diploma; or a national nursing specialty certification.
Like associate degree in nursing programs and diploma RN programs, BSN degree programs have clinical experience requirements. Clinicals, as they are often called, make it possible for nursing students to gain hands-on patient experience in real-world healthcare settings, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, or clinics. Because of the hands-on, in-person nature of clinicals, RN-to-BSN online degree programs cannot be fully online. (At CTU, nursing students are able to complete their clinical experience requirements in their local community but not in their current workplace.)
Summary: BSN vs. RN
In a nutshell, RN stands for “registered nurse.” The difference between RN and BSN is that the former is a nursing credential, while the latter is a type of undergraduate nursing degree. Nurses who earn the RN credential are simply referred to as registered nurses, or RNs. Although not all RNs may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing or need to hold one in order to practice (be sure to check your state’s RN licensing requirements, as at least one state does have a BSN requirement for registered nurses), earning a BSN may help RNs prepare to pursue more advanced opportunities. (RNs who already hold a BSN may wish to explore CTU’s Master of Science in Nursing degree program.)
Become an RN-BSN by Pursuing Your Bachelor’s Degree Online
Colorado Technical University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing online degree program is designed for working nurses. The program’s flexible online format makes it more convenient for candidates to watch lectures and complete coursework on their own time—a helpfulfeature for those who work long or irregular shifts. BSN degree candidates have the opportunity to develop skills relevant to carrying out various clinical and administrative leadership duties and managing change in an ever-evolving healthcare industry.
The online RN-to-BSN program is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and was developed by experienced nurse educators. Classes are 100% online, and candidates can complete the program’s clinical hour requirements in their local communities.
Candidates seeking admission to the Colorado Technical University RN-to-BSN degree program must possess an unencumbered and active RN license. Those who have recently graduated from an Associate Degree in Nursing program or a Diploma Registered Nurse (RN) program and are pending successful completion of the NCLEX exam may provisionally enroll in the RN-to-BSN program.
Explore the CTU RN-to-BSN degree completion program to learn more.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Registered Nurses,” http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (last visited Jan. 31, 2025).
Colorado Technical University cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2106893 2/2025