Originally Posted by kaliaj05
I am a nursing student and I really don't care what I make as long as I can pay off my student loans and support my kids before school I was a cashier at a gas station making $8.00 an hour. I am new here and think that everyone who wants to become a nurse and devote their lives to helping people deserves an equal amount of credit regardless of education. (By the way I am working on my BSN and by the time I am done will have amounted about $30,000 in student loans) I think that pay should come with experience, as well as things like evaluations (meaning what do patients think of your bedside manner, etc. because I have known some not so nice nurses in my time who seem like they are only in it for the paycheck, not that all of them are by any means) regardless of the letters behind your name. Being a nurse is not about status how many nurses do you know that have a household name? Not many. I can name more celebrities than I can nurses...haha. Maybe for nurses that want more advanced degrees though and more recognition, the upper level positions should be judged on experience as well as education. That's just my opinion.
Got tired of biting my own tongue a bit. Tell ya what, you come back here after getting at least (minimum) a years worth of RN experience, and re-read your post, and tell us all how honest it is. But hey, maybe you are the exception. Nobody gets into this business just for the money, but to say money isn't a factor... well, perhaps not if you don't actually need any (i.e., you are independently wealthy or married to someone who is). I once told a boss: "This isn't a hobby, its a job. I don't work for free." That should sum it up pretty well, I think. I love the idealistic views though (especially the patients' evaluation on your bedside manner. But anyway, hey, good luck with all of that
In any case, I'll side with SuzyRN. As one who went back in my mid to late thirties to change careers and get into nursing, BSN wasn't an option -not financially by any stretch of the imagination, and not course/time wise. I had to keep my full-time job while going to school at night (bank wouldn't let me take a big multi-year break on paying the mortgage -and we won't eveng go into detail about the other bills and requirements of everyday life).
Had a teacher once tell me (in the ADN prgram at the local CC) that it was unreasonable to expect to keep a full-time job AND go to school full time. My response to her was "is it reasonable for you to expect to get paid? I don't live with mommy and daddy. Too old to go back home while I go to school."
I did finish. I'm an RN. I'm downright proud of that -even though its not a BSN. Will I bridge the gap and get my 4 yr degree? Eventually, yes. But it (like everything else) will be nothing more than a means to an end. In any case, I'll take an experienced ADN over an inexperienced BSN any day of the week.
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I just graduated with my ADN and already have the application ready for a university where I am going to obtain my BSN. I see getting my BSN as merely a stepping stone to my Master's degree. Education is so important and just because one chooses the minimum entry to practice, does not mean one is: (1) inferior, (2) unable to provide safe care, (3) less intelligent, (4) or not concerned with higher education. So while you sit in your ivory tower and look down on those lowly ADNs, remember that one day they may be your boss. Life is funny that way. Thanks to all the truly educated BSNs who value the ADN without bias.
