BSN stands for which of the following?

• A. A four-year degree obtained in order to become a registered nurse
• B. A two-year degree for nursing
• C. A one-year certificate for nursing assistants
• D. A doctoral degree in nursing

Answer: (A)

BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a four-year undergraduate degree designed to prepare you to become a registered nurse. This pathway focuses on the science and clinical practice of nursing at the bachelor’s level and is the credential typically pursued to qualify for RN licensure after passing the NCLEX-RN. It differs from a two-year degree in nursing, which is an Associate Degree in Nursing and also leads to RN licensure but is not a bachelor’s degree. It’s distinct from a one-year certificate for nursing assistants, which covers much more basic, support-level care. It’s also different from doctoral degrees in nursing, such as the Doctor of Nursing Practice or PhD in Nursing, which are advanced, research- or practice-focused terminal degrees. Accelerated BSN programs do exist for those who already hold a bachelor's in another field, but they still culminate in a BSN credential.