RN vs. BSN Nursing Acronyms Explained

'If you've been looking into nursing education for any length of time, you've probably noticed something: there are a lot of acronyms.

There are ADNs, BSNs and MSNs. There are RNs, LPNs, and APRNs. There’s the NCLEX-RN and something called the NLC. If you aren’t familiar with these terms and their definitions, it can be difficult to make much sense of your options.

Let’s review some of the most common acronyms in nursing education and licensure, what they mean, and what you need to remember as you consider your educational pathway to becoming a nurse.

What is an RN?

A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who holds a professional registered nursing license. An RN may have achieved licensure, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Most registered nurses work in patient care roles and 55% work in general medical or surgical hospitals. RNs also work in outpatient care centers, physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities, schools, and other settings. Nurses are leaders, researchers, and innovators in the healthcare field, and they often perform their work in high-stress, fast-paced environments.

• Read more: 10 Places You Can Work as a Registered Nurse

Job responsibilities can vary, but an RN’s primary duties will often include:

• Monitoring and assessing patient health, including vital signs and symptoms of various health conditions
• Administering medications and treatments as prescribed by other healthcare providers
• Educating patients and family members about health conditions and disease prevention
• Implementing individualized, evidence-based care plans for patients
• Documenting and communicating patient assessments and progress
• Working closely with other nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care
• Providing medical procedures, such as diagnostic exams, injections, and wound care

The salary for RNs can vary according to their work experience and the cost of living in their region. The 2023 median pay for a registered nurse was $86,070, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest-paid 10% of RNs earn more than $132,680 per year.

As of 2022, there were 3.5 million actively licensed nurses in the United States. Despite that massive number, the demand for nurses currently exceeds the supply of working RNs. The US Bureau of Health Workforce forecasts that there will be a shortage of over 330,000 nurses by 2036 if current labor patterns persist. Employment opportunities for nurses are projected to continue growing at a rate of 9% for the next several years.

What is a BSN?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an undergraduate degree geared toward preparing students for work in the nursing field.

Note that sometimes people have difficulty distinguishing between a BSN vs. RN. Remember, an RN is a licensed nursing professional. A BSN is a form of nursing education—a degree that trains RNs for entry-level practice.

The coursework for a BSN degree can vary according to the specific program. In a traditional four-year program, this degree will include some core class requirements such as English, humanities, foreign language, and basic mathematics.

BSN degree programs teach nursing theory and the principles of healthcare while also training nursing candidates in the practical skills and clinical reasoning they will use in the field. BSN degree coursework will often include:

• Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
• Foundations of Nursing
• Microbiology
• Statistical Analysis
• Community Health Nursing
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Management

What is an ABSN?

An accelerated BSN degree (ABSN) is a nursing school program designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Rather than require students to repeat their core classwork, an ABSN leverages their prior education and counts those courses toward their new degree. Because of this, an ABSN can be completed much more quickly than a traditional undergraduate degree, with some programs putting graduates into nursing in less than two years. Students who prioritize accessibility, flexibility, and affordability will often choose the ABSN route.

• Read more: What is an ABSN vs BSN?

How do you become a Registered Nurse?

There are several steps required before you can obtain an RN license.

First, you must fulfill the educational requirements like the BSN or ABSN degrees described above. There are still two- and three-year ADN programs that are recognized educational pathways for becoming licensed as an RN. However, 71.7% of practicing nurses now hold a BSN degree.

As part of those educational programs, you must complete a predetermined amount of clinical hours. These are supervised, in-person learning experiences where nurses practice applying their new skills in a clinical setting. The number of clinical hours required can vary according to the nursing program you are enrolled in, but the requirement will likely fall between 700 and 1,000 hours. Strong nursing programs will often offer placement assistance to help students complete clinicals practically, comprehensively, and efficiently.

Registered nursing candidates are also required to pass a standardized examination called the NCLEX-RN. Students will typically take this exam shortly after their nursing school graduation. The NCLEX-RN is a challenging exam that tests candidates on a wide array of skills, knowledge, and abilities. The NCLEX-RN is meant to determine whether a student is ready to safely begin practicing patient care as a registered nurse.

Once a nursing candidate has completed their educational requirements and passed the NCLEX-RN, they can apply for licensure in the state where they intend to practice. Most states require a licensing fee as well as a background check.

When it comes to licensing, another acronym you may see a lot is “NLC.” It stands for “Nurse Licensure Compact,” and it refers to a status of an RN license. RN licensure can be obtained for the single state that the candidate is practicing in or this more geographically flexible multi-state status. The NLC, or multi-state nursing license compact program, is recognized in most US states. The NLC RN licensure type allows nurses to practice in any other participating compact state without applying for additional licenses.

• Read more: How to Become a Registered Nurse and RN Licensure Requirements by State

What are the advantages of a BSN vs an ADN?

Simply put, registered nurses with a BSN degree are often eligible for higher-paying jobs than nurses with an ADN.

This is partly because the nursing literature has established that patients who are cared for by BSN-prepared nurses have better patient outcomes. These patients spend less time in the hospital, are less likely to need readmission to the hospital, and have decreased mortality rates, among other benefits. Keeping a high percentage of BSN-prepared nurses on staff appears to save employers money and increase the efficiency of various healthcare interventions—so why wouldn’t employers work hard to hire and retain nurses with a BSN?

The pay disparity is also due to the coursework on healthcare management and nursing leadership that BSNs complete. A good employer wants to hire people that they can promote, and leading well in the healthcare setting requires context and training that ADN programs don’t provide. That’s why most nursing jobs that offer leadership or management opportunities require a BSN.

Even for jobs that do not require a BSN, having a more comprehensive degree makes you a more competitive candidate. A recent survey conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing showed that 28% of employers offering entry-level jobs require new hires to have a BSN. And 72% said that while they may not require new nurses to have a BSN, they strongly prefer it.

Nurses with a BSN are well-positioned to pursue higher education, which can mean more leadership opportunities and advancement within the field. A nurse who holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can become licensed to practice as an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), a role that averages $126,260 per year.

How do you get started with an ABSN?

If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you can earn a BSN in less than two years by enrolling in an accelerated program.

Many online ABSN programs offer a rigorous curriculum with a robust student support system and hands-on learning opportunities at a lower cost than an in-person program. These programs can provide the same value (and professional opportunities) as traditional BSNs but aren’t as expensive because the program lengths are shorter. The intensive nature of the ABSN means that students spend all of their time focused on learning new skills without the additional coursework that BSNs require.

Learning online is becoming increasingly common in nursing, with 46% of recent grads reporting that they completed all or some of their coursework remotely. High-quality online programs build in-person learning and connection into their requirements, typically requiring at least one brief on-campus residency and providing clinical placement support.

Now that you’ve got the lingo down, you’re ready to take the first step toward becoming a nurse. Get started finding the right ABSN program for you.