[Stacey03]

Hi! I am starting nursing school this fall and recently asked about the difference in salary between an RN with an associates degree and an RN with a bachelor's degree and was told there is no difference in salary between the two. Is this true? I'm a little skeptical b/c it doesn't seem possible that an education attained in two years can earn the same salary as one that takes four years to earn. Can someone clear this up for me? Thanks!

[caroladybelle]

There are several hundred threads on this topic.

Difference in pay between BSN and nonBSN. Very little. Some places, there is no pay difference, at others, usually $1/hr or less.

Please also review that very few (none that I know of for first degreers) Associate degree programs are "only 2 Years". Most of them require such that they run closer to 3 years long, with all of the required prereqs.

[Tweety]

For beginning RNs yes the pay is the same, or maybe slightly higher for the BSN. Note that ADN does not mean two-year degree for RNs. It takes usually a minimum of three years to get an ADN. ADNs take the same Micro., A&P, and nursing courses. They take the same NCLEX and become RNs just like the BSN's do.

However, future income might be higher for BSNs as they readily advance to "BSN preferred" positions that are higher paid. But yes, as novice RNs you both start out on equal footing.

There are a couple of threads on this forum that address this same topic.

[Daytonite]

The way the question is worded is really not very good. It is better asked this way: Is there a difference in salary between a staff nurse with an RN who has an AA degree or a Bachelor's degree? The answer, in general, is "no" unless the facility specifically adds more to the salary because of educational level. A salary is given for a job that is performed; not for the level of education possessed.

However, there is a difference between an AA degree and a BSN. These differences would be found by looking at the degree requirements in the college catalogs of the individual schools that offer these degrees and then comparing them. Nursing is a major of study within the education institution the person attends.

To become an RN, each state board of nursing defines the minimum nursing content that each nursing program must teach. These guidelines are determined on the basis for the graduates of each school to be able to successfully pass the NCLEX exam. Often, what you will find is that BSN programs enhance and enrich the content of their nursing programs because the students are generally required to take a much larger number of credit hours in their major subject at that particular institution. Some BSN programs have the resources to enhance and enrich the nursing classes they teach far beyond what community college programs can offer. Some universities where BSNs are offered also have other requirements that all their matriculated students must fulfill, not just the nursing students. This also deepens their educational experience and learning. So, there is a difference between an associates degree and a bachelor's degree in the amount and intensity of the college work required.

I've been both: an ADN and a BSN. There is an attitude in the nursing community among some. Some feel belittled around BSNs; some BSNs flaunt their education in the face of everyone they come into contact with to intimidate them. A lot of that is about self-esteem and in some cases, one-upmanship. But, a nurse is still a nurse. My BSN instructors told us that a BSN gave us a few more tools to add to our bag of tricks as we went out into the world to be nurses. The longer a nurse has years of experience in nursing, the more tools they also have added to their bag of tricks. I can tell you exactly what was enhanced in my BSN program over my ADN program. But I still worked as a staff RN with my BSN side-by-side with many ADNs. I never brought up the issue of having a BSN with them either. Didn't feel the need to. Those that do, let's say, probably have some self-esteem issues of their own to deal with and use it as leverage to get an upper hand for some reason. That's manipulative and intimidating--not exactly what I would call a very functionally acting person.

[Stacey03]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the advice. I'm sorry that I asked a question that had already been addressed so many times, but I'm new to the forums and didn't realize. Thanks again for your input, I really appreciate it!

[Tweety]

You are more than welcome! Always feel free to ask questions. No need to apologize. That's why we're here!

[hpatel84]

I have question regarding schools in obtaining a BSN. I will have a bachelors in Sociology this May and I am going back for a BSN then want to continue to become a CRNA. My undergrad GPA is not too good but I want to know what schools look at and what I should do next in order to make myself a strong applicant.

Thanks

[Sehsun]

Hi hpatel84,
to Allnurses!

You will want to check into schools that have accelerated BSN programs and make sure you have the necessary pre-requisites (e.g., A&P, microbiology, statistics, nutrition, etc.). Sociology is one of the pre-reqs, so you've got that covered!

Next, you should see what else the school requires in addition to pre-reqs and undergrad GPA. Some schools require the GRE or another standardized test. Some will require you to write an essay or submit letters of recommendation.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I am currently in an ABSN program.

[hpatel84]

Oh thank you so much for answering those questions! I have some other questions too! What are they looking for inparticular regarding schools in nursing and do you think it is a good idea to maybe try a Associates also just so I dont' waste time. Have you heard of anything about how easy or hard it is to get into a Asociates-BSN program, i think its like an RN-BSN program or would that just be a waste of time?


Thank you

Hetal Patel

[Sehsun]

You're welcome, Hetal.

- Different programs look for different things. For example, one of the main criteria for an accelerated BSN program would be that you would have to have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. A 3.0 undergrad GPA is also usually the norm for these programs.

- I am not sure what the exact requirements are to get into an ADN program (associate's in nursing). I hear these have waiting lists sometimes.

- Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you would be an eligible applicant for an accelerated program. You could also go for your ADN (associate's in nursing) and then do a bridge program (RN-to-BSN). You would definitely need your BSN if you want to become a CRNA.