BSN premium on the table.

Nurses Union

Published

We are looking for a BSN premium in our contract negotiations. If we win this, it will be the first out of 8 hospitals.

For those that have won this premium, what were your arguments?

I do know the VA pays a premium for education. BSN, MSN etc. I don't think they view it as being a better nurse pay or doing more pay, but rather showing appreciation for furthering and paying for your own education in the form of compensation. If a manager looks over your resume and notes you have spent time on CEU's even when not necessary and have been on committees, went the extra mile in educating yourself and have other skills, they may have a good stance for the pay increase.

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Unfortunately, you do not have the ability to dictate how others respond to your posts. The internet does not work that way. What fun would that be?!

And because I can, I would like to say that I also disagree with pay premiums for BSNs. If the hospital wants to hire BSNs that's terrific, but don't pay others more for doing the same job. The end.

If that is the case,then why do some places with Lpn's and Rn's pay the Rn's more for doing the same job?

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It may encourage current ADN to return to school to pursue more education. It gets hairy because a lot of ADN nurses have another Bachelors Degree, some in Science related fields. Do they get the premium for a Bachelors level education? I feel like a pay raise would encourage some nurses to go back to school. My employer offers no incentive to get certified or upgrade your education.

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If that is the case,then why do some places with Lpn's and Rn's pay the Rn's more for doing the same job?

Hard to argue with this logic. This is a very valid point.

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Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.
If that is the case,then why do some places with Lpn's and Rn's pay the Rn's more for doing the same job?

RNs and lpns should not be doing the same job. At my area of practice, lpns are not allowed to push certain medications, nor are they allowed to do the first assessment or care plan initiation.

My 2 cents is that if the hospital is requiring their nurses to get their bsn then they should have a pay increase for those who do. It really doesn't make sense for someone to go back to school if the asn are just gonna make the same amount of money. Where is the incentive in getting your bsn if you're just gonna make the same as when you were an asn. You're just spending money to help the hospital get magnet on a degree that you didn't want to get in the first place.

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RNs and lpns should not be doing the same job. At my area of practice, lpns are not allowed to push certain medications, nor are they allowed to do the first assessment or care plan initiation.

My 2 cents is that if the hospital is requiring their nurses to get their bsn then they should have a pay increase for those who do. It really doesn't make sense for someone to go back to school if the asn are just gonna make the same amount of money. Where is the incentive in getting your bsn if you're just gonna make the same as when you were an asn. You're just spending money to help the hospital get magnet on a degree that you didn't want to get in the first place.

YES YES YES. Hospitals are all about pushing nurses to get their BSN- only for Magnet. There is no pay increase whatsoever.

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Specializes in NICU.

BSNs at our facility make an extra $0.50 per hour. Our facility prefers BSN over two year degrees. Since they have hired more BSNs that have seen a larger revenue by less spending on patient infections, med errors, less failure to rescue situations, shorter hospital stays and much lower mortality rate. I have a feeling it will end up being a requirement for new hires within the next few years. There has been talks. Although I believe ADN nurses will be grandfathered in. The premium has been there since I was hired almost three years ago so I don't really know how they bargained it to be honest.

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I worked for a non-union hospital system as a nursing assistant while in school where none of the hospitals were union and the BSNs got paid more that those with a Diploma or ADN/ASN and they own some Diploma schools! They are very education/certification focused (tons of alphabet soup after names!) and 3 of their hospitals are Magnet with others on the Journey to become Magnet.

I work for another hospital system in the same region as nurse where 2 of the hospitals are union (including mine), one of their non-union hospitals is Magnet and I'm not sure if any are on the Journey to become Magnet and the BSNs get paid more. My hospital is not focused enough on (real) education much at all. I am not sure when or how it started but now I'm curious and I will let you know!

I do think that BSNs should get paid more for their additional schooling. I have a BS in Education and taught for a long time but unfortunately no other degrees are recognized but Nursing ones which is why I'm back in school for my BSN.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I agree with a small incentive for RNs who already have or earn their BSN becasue it recognizes the benefits of advanced/continued education and in a small way to rewards individuals who obtain such degrees. I think that advanced practice nurses with an MSN who obtain an PhD, DNS/DNSc or DNP should receive addiitonal compensation as well, even if they are still doing the same job. Just to be fair to ADN nurses (who I hold no prejudice and think are awesome as well), I also think there should be incentive for nurses obtaining additional obtaining speciality certifications. I think that sometimes in an effort to make sure we aren't hurting anyones feelings or singling anyone out we will dillute down our messages or the meaning of our actions, the message here should be to celebrate and reward advanced/continuing education in all forms.

!Chris :specs:

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

In our area hospitals are solving this problem by simply not hiring two year RNs anymore and offering better pay from the git-go.

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Specializes in ED.

I am not nor ever have been a union member in healthcare, but have been a union member and on the negotiation team for other unions. I feel this is a VERY bad idea, one of the reasons for the existence of unions is to represent all of its members fairly. By creating a division of benefit i.e. pay differentials your union may impact solidarity and cohesiveness. ADN vs BSN differentials are much different than trade boundaries. Please consider pay and benefit packages for the whole workforce, a divided Union is worse than no Union.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
I am not nor ever have been a union member in healthcare, but have been a union member and on the negotiation team for other unions. I feel this is a VERY bad idea, one of the reasons for the existence of unions is to represent all of its members fairly. By creating a division of benefit i.e. pay differentials your union may impact solidarity and cohesiveness. ADN vs BSN differentials are much different than trade boundaries. Please consider pay and benefit packages for the whole workforce, a divided Union is worse than no Union.

Those issues have been addressed for the entire nursing staff. The BSN was the ONLY thing that was not.

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