Pre-Nursing ADN & BSN

Academic and Career Information

Updated July 2026

Nature of the Work, Earnings and Occupational Outlook

Nurses play a critical role in promoting health, preventing illness, and providing care to individuals across the lifespan. To practice nursing in the United States, individuals must obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) license by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Registered nurses are responsible for a wide range of patient care activities, including assessing and monitoring patient conditions, administering medications and treatments, implementing healthcare plans, and educating patients and families about wellness and disease prevention. The following are clinical tasks performed by Registered Nurses:

• Conducting patient assessments
• Administering medications
• Administering blood products
• Administering chemotherapy agents
• Obtaining vital signs and monitoring patients for changes in condition
• Inserting and maintaining intravenous lines, nasogastric tubes, and urinary catheters
• Performing phlebotomy
• Obtaining specimens for laboratory testing
• Providing basic and advanced wound care
• Providing education to patients and their families

Registered nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, schools, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and public health organizations. Depending on the employer, nurses may work 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call hours. While nursing can be physically and emotionally demanding, it offers a rewarding career with opportunities to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives every day.

Registered nurses with either a two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing can start working in entry-level positions at different healthcare settings. The starting salary for new graduates with an associate’s degree in nursing is $56,180 annually (Nursing Process, 2025). On the other hand, the starting salary for registered nurses with a BSN is approximately $64,000 annually. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024. The job outlook for registered nurses remains strong. The employment rate is projected to grow by about 5% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately 189,100 job openings are expected each year, largely due to workforce turnover and retirements. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).

Nursing offers numerous opportunities for career growth and specialization. After gaining clinical experience, registered nurses may pursue specialty certifications in areas such as emergency nursing, critical care, pediatrics, oncology, labor and delivery, or perioperative nursing. Nurses who earn advanced degrees can become nurse practitioners, nurse educators, nurse administrators, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse anesthetists. Continuing education and professional development allow nurses to expand their knowledge, increase earning potential, and take on leadership roles within the healthcare profession.

Key Differences Between ADN and BSN

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year college-level nursing program offered at various community colleges. It provides foundational nursing education and prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN. Key features:

• Shorter duration and lower cost
• Focus on core clinical skills and patient care
• Includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and pharmacology
• Combines classroom instruction with lab and clinical experience
• Graduates can begin working as RNs relatively quickly
• Often employed in entry-level clinical roles
• May have limited advancement opportunities without further education

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree offered by colleges and universities and provides a more comprehensive nursing education. Key Features:

• Broader curriculum including leadership, research, public health, and ethics
• Emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and evidence-based practice
• Includes all ADN-level clinical training plus expanded coursework
• Greater access to leadership, management, and specialized roles
• Preferred by many employers, especially hospitals
• Required for graduate programs such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse leadership roles

Application

Admission to nursing programs is highly competitive because enrollment is limited. Applicants must typically apply both to the college or university and separately to the nursing program. Common admission requirements include:

• Minimum age of 18 years at the time of admission
• Strong academic performance
• Completion of required prerequisite courses
• Successful completion of an entrance examination, such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
• Personal interview, if required by the nursing program

Sources

• RN vs BSN: What's the Difference and Which is Right for You? | Nurse.Org

Course Requirements for California ADN and BSN Nursing Programs

Admission requirements vary by school; however, many California Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs require applicants to complete specific prerequisite courses before admission.

Common prerequisite courses for ADN programs (may vary depending on the institutions):

Common prerequisite courses for BSN programs (may vary depending on the institutions):

This is NOT a comprehensive list of prerequisites for all programs. Students maintain responsibility for verifying course selection with individual programs, especially for the Biology requirements.