"Just" a 2-year degree

maryshome8 · Oct 1, 2006

I don't think that the pharmacy tech meant that you weren't qualified.

We live in a society where the compensation for your job, usually, but not always, is highly correlated with your education level. Obviously this is not true of all people or all professions, but in general, the more education you have, the higher your salary.

What she meant, and speaking as a person that is PERSUING a 2-year ASN...I agree with her, and I'll tell you why.

For someone to graduate from high school, do a 2 year education, and then graduate to be able to walk into a job making $40 to $50K a year? That is excellent, and not what the MAJORITY of new grads are making with a 4 year degree...which I can also personally attest to.

This is also true with respiratory therapists, radiology techs, medical diagnostic imaging, etc.

Why do you think there are so many people with 4 year degrees on the message board going back for 2 year degrees? Some with even a Masters?

I never got a Masters in my field for one reason: Money..the degree would cost me more than I could recoop in 20 years.

I agree with what the pharm tech said, but I don't think she meant it as an insult, or that you weren't qualified.

Stopped at local pharmacy to pick up prescription. Asked pharm tech how her daughter was (she's a traveling nurse); she said great, we briefly discussed how she's deciding between staying and moving on, compensations etc. I said that I heard that travelers out her way made some really good money.....and the pharm tech said "well, you guys here make really good money with just a two year degree." JUST. Said in such a way as to make me think she equated my educational experience with a humanities major. Hey: poetry, history, nursing, all the same stuff, right?
I said you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who finishes an RN program in only 2 years nowadays. She shrugged, said her daughter "blew through" it (ten years ago or so). She didn't want to hear that things have changed a TAD since then.
Sigh. I think I'll take up basket-weaving. Appears I'm qualified.

Alexsys · Oct 1, 2006

It's one of the hardest two year degrees you can get. I'm up to my eyeballs!!!
My prerequisites were easier.

I know! I will have my BSN in April, but the ASN was much more difficult to get through! I dont like hearing that "just a two year" crap. Nursing school to me was more like boot camp! The ones that refer to that as "just a two year" degree obviously have not been through it

Just wanted to point out that getting up in the wee hours of the morning in the ASN were difficult for me. Not like that in the BSN program I am currently in.

likemike, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2006

I USED to be JUST an EMT, JUST a paramedic, JUST a Hospital Corpsman, JUST an LVN and now I am per my Manager "A professional Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department."

I got a loan in the LVN to RN program. It paid me as a Junior in college despite being in an ADN program. Going full time takes 3-4 years. A BSN 5.

I learned so much in my program and am proud to be an RN. It is true though the general public does not know an Associate Degree takes at least 3 years. When folks enquire I tell them about all of the pre reqs, waiting list, GPA requirements and they are blown away.

In California there are tons of ADN programs at Community Colleges but a small amount of BSN programs.

I just got a job that is helping me from day one to get a BSN. The clinical hours I work now count for 5 units and administration supports us.

But truly, all I ever want is to be a bedside Nurse. But I love to learn.

Now I am the RN.

I hated being referred to as a "just"

So I work with ED Techs. They are not "my tech" They are not just a tech or the unit clerk is not JUST a clerk.

We do not live in a vacuum, we work as a team.

I am sorry when ignorant people do not know the sacrifices we ADN RN's have made. But at least I FINALLY have a college degree :)

CHATSDALE · Oct 7, 2006

there are somethings that have to be ignored and her dts probably had to work like everything to get through probably made them better nurses..if you float thru anything you are propably not retaining much

marybethm · Oct 7, 2006

I think rude is rude is rude and some people would be rude no matter. If it wasn't your degree, it would be your choice of car or where you live or the color of your hair. By the way, I got my two year degree 28 years ago and have worked overseas, in an ER, night shift when my kids were little, as a camp nurse (with free tuition for my kids) for two summers on the east coast, clinic nurse, school nurse (best job in the world but not enough money) and now am working as a "consultant". Not bad mileage from a little ol' two year degree. But I still wish I had a BSN which I am going to start next year. Just because I know I can, not because of what anyone else says. I think nursing is the greatest career in the world and can be adapted to any stage of a woman's life. Or man's. A good nurse is worth her weight in gold.

Chukker · Oct 7, 2006

The way our educational instituitions are getting in two more years you would qualify for underwater basket weaving.

LOL

Brad

cookie102 · Oct 7, 2006

let us remember that regardless of what degree you have, unless you pass the boards and have RN after your name, it really doesn't matter

imenid37 · Oct 7, 2006

let us remember that regardless of what degree you have, unless you pass the boards and have RN, it really doesn't matter

:yeahthat:

ojoson · Oct 7, 2006

2 year and 4 year RN's take the same test, that should say something for the 2 year RN's. I am a 2 year RN and am in upper management. 4 year programs touch more on administration and public health, that is the only plus I see. :nurse:

BoomerRN · Oct 7, 2006

JUST A 2 YEAR DEGREE??? Gadzooks those were two of the hardest years of my life and NCLEX wasn't a piece of cake either and I passed on the first try. Nurses regardless of their degrees earn that "RN" with blood sweat and lots of tears...

"Blood, sweat and LOTS of tears........" that describes the 2 year nursing program I graduated from in 1977. Our class started out with 103 and ended up with 57 graduating. It was the hardest program and I'm proud to say I passed on the first try-many didn't- and had high marks with mult-state privileges. I lived and breathed nursing for two straight years and hardly had any sleep during that time- I also had a 7 mos. old, 3 & 6 yr. olds to care for. Our instructors told us not to feel intimidated by the 3 yr. or 4 yr. grads because we were taking the same test as they were. If I had it to do over again, I would take the 4 yr. BSN, only because I think the courses would be spread out and not crammed down our throats like the 2 yr. program was.

jsluv2run · Oct 7, 2006

I received a lot of comments from my former coworkers during and after I completed my A.S. and A.A. degrees. It seems they think since I spent so much time in school that I should be a nurse by now or have a master's degree. It is hard to work and go to school. Some of them realized after I left to finish up my last pre-req. I inspired one person to return and finish her hours for medical massage school because she stated that I stood strong and never let any of their comments bother me.(Eventhough on the inside it did hurt coming from friends). I don't know how many people have scarcastically wished me a "good luck," and have said,"so and so tried and didn't make it through". I know it will be tough, but I am determined to try. I know it will be a difficult program and I am ready.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2006

2 year and 4 year RN's take the same test, that should say something for the 2 year RN's. I am a 2 year RN and am in upper management. 4 year programs touch more on administration and public health, that is the only plus I see.

a little more patho, a little more pharm, some research, more in depth asssessment as well as those community health and leadership courses. Taking an RN to BSN, I get just a little defensive when I hear "it's just a couple more courses".....how about 16 more for me. LOL

But I agree, they both can pass NCLEX and not much difference in beginning bedside nurses.

I'm also impressed with those with ADNs that advance far beyond the bedside such as yourself. In my class there are several managers, directors, house supervisors, educators etc. etc. Where I work those jobs are shut out to me, but it's not like that everywhere, where the persons experience and skills count more than "a few courses" (smile).