• An RN is a licensed nursing professional, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) is a four-year degree that prepares graduates for licensure and broader career opportunities.
• Both lead to licensure, but B.S.N. graduates typically gain greater access to leadership roles, specialized clinical paths and job mobility than those with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
• The median annual RN salary is $93,600, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• The BLS projects 166,100 annual openings for RNs through 2034.
• B.S.N. pathways fit different starting points, from a traditional four-year track to an accelerated B.A./B.S. to B.S.N. completed in as little as 16 months.

If you’re considering a career in nursing, you may have heard the terms RN and BSN, which mean Registered Nurse and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. At first glance, they might seem interchangeable, but they actually refer to two different parts of a nursing career path.

Think of it this way: an RN is a licensed nursing professional, while a BSN refers to the educational pathway that can prepare students to become licensed and expand future opportunities in the field.

Understanding the difference matters if you’re planning your next step in healthcare. Whether you’re exploring nursing for the first time or comparing degree options, knowing how RN licensure and a BSN degree fit together can help you make a more informed decision about your education and career goals.

An RN, or registered nurse, is a licensed healthcare professional responsible for a wide range of patient care duties. These include assessing patients, administering medications, collaborating with physicians, advocating for patient well-being and educating patients about their health conditions.

To become an RN, you must:

1. Complete an accredited nursing program. This could be a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
2. Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), a standardized test used to gauge nursing competency.
3. Obtain licensure through a state nursing board where you plan to work.

As an RN, you can work in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Long-term care facilities
• Schools
• Public health organizations

A BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students for professional nursing roles. BSN programs include both classroom instruction and clinical training to build practical nursing skills and broader healthcare knowledge. Coursework often includes topics such as:

• Nursing science
• Patient care and clinical skills
• Public health
• Evidence-based practice
• Healthcare leadership

Graduates of BSN programs must still pass the NCLEX-RN and obtain licensure through a state board to begin working.

It’s important to know that RN refers to a professional license, not a degree. Nurses can qualify for RN licensure through various nursing education programs.

The key distinction between an RN vs. a BSN is that:

• An RN is a licensed nursing professional
• A BSN is an academic degree

In practice, many BSN graduates work as RNs, but not all RNs hold a BSN. The alternate route to earning RN status is with an associate’s degree.

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, there are about 5 million registered nurses in the United States, and the demand for trained professionals continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 166,100 openings for RNs each year through 2034, driven in large part by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs.

Both RNs and BSN-prepared nurses can earn competitive salaries, but education level may influence long-term career opportunities and earning potential.

At $93,600, the median salary for registered nurses is about 89% higher than the median annual wage for all workers in the U.S., which is $49,500, according to the BLS.

Starting salaries for nurses with an associate degree and those with a BSN are often similar, particularly in entry-level roles. The difference between RN and BSN salaries is evident over the course of a career.

Nurses who earn a bachelor’s degree may have greater access to higher-paying opportunities, including leadership positions and specialized clinical roles.

While you don’t need a BSN to become a registered nurse, earning a bachelor’s degree can create additional opportunities for career growth and advancement.

BSN programs typically include coursework in leadership, communication and healthcare systems. These skills can help prepare nurses for roles with greater responsibility, such as charge nurse, nurse manager or clinical coordinator.

A BSN can also open the door to specialty areas of nursing. Fields such as critical care, pediatrics, oncology and public health often need nurses with broader clinical knowledge and training in evidence-based practice.

Healthcare employers increasingly prefer nurses with a bachelor’s degree. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing notes that BSN-prepared nurses are often valued for their training in different settings and in specialty areas such as preventive care and patient safety. Some states also require newly licensed RNs to earn a BSN within a specific time frame after entering the profession.

In West Virginia, for example, nurses do not need a BSN to work as a registered nurse. Graduates of approved nursing programs can become licensed after passing the NCLEX-RN.

Choosing to pursue a BSN is an important step, and not all programs are the same. As you explore your options, it’s helpful to look beyond the degree itself and consider how a program will prepare you for real-world nursing practice.

Our faculty and subject-matter experts at Marshall University emphasize that prospective students should evaluate several key factors when comparing BSN programs, including:

• High NCLEX success: Nationally, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 86% in 2025, showing strong licensure preparation. At Marshall, the 2025 NCLEX pass rate for first-time test takers from the BSN program was 96.23% and is consistently above 90%.
• Diverse clinical experiences: Students gain hands-on exposure across hospitals, community health, long-term care, pediatrics, maternity, critical care, and mental health settings.
• Experienced faculty support: Nurse educators provide ongoing mentorship, feedback, and guidance to build clinical confidence and critical thinking.
• Simulation-based learning: Students train in simulation and skills labs to safely practice real-world scenarios, recognized by the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) for high-quality instruction.

“When evaluating programs, consider factors such as accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, quality and variety of clinical experiences, faculty expertise, simulation resources, and program outcomes.” —Lisa Muto, Marshall University Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Students interested in earning a BSN have several pathways available at Marshall University. These options are designed to support learners at different stages of their nursing journey, from first-time nursing students to working nurses looking to advance their education.

The traditional BSN pathway is designed for students who are just starting their nursing education. This program combines classroom instruction and clinical experiences to help students build foundational nursing skills and prepare for professional practice.

Students are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN after graduation, and are exposed to various nursing specialties, including critical care, medical/surgical, pediatric, maternity and community/public health nursing.

The BA/BS to BSN pathway is for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to transition into the nursing profession. This accelerated option allows students with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) to earn a BSN in as little as 16 months of full-time study.

For working professionals who need flexibility, Marshall offers a fully online RN-to-BSN program. Courses are delivered asynchronously, meaning students can complete coursework on their own schedules without logging in at specific times.

Online courses are often offered in shorter seven-week blocks, allowing students to focus on one or two classes at a time and potentially complete the program in as little as two semesters.