BSN vs. ADN

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am a BSN and I feel that I should be paid more for my extra education. What do you think?

Originally posted by NurseMom:

I work with a Diploma Nurse (25 years experience) who is far more compassionate and skilled than many nurses I know with a BSN after their name. I also don't think that extra chemistry, calculus, or English courses make you a better nurse either. I also work with some LPN's who are AWESOME!!! I guess it's not so much the initials after your name, but the experience and compassion you bring to your patients.

Always remember....no matter how good we think we are, that auto mechanics, electricians, and oil-burner repairmen make more money an hour than we EVER will! confused.gif

I agree with you totally! I graduated from a three year diploma program. Experience and compation are most important. As a preceptor for my unit, i have oriented 90% of our staff. Most are BSN prepared. I do my best to help the new nurses gain experience and achieve thier goals on the unit. My manager tells me I'm a great role model. " No BSN required"

------------------

RN'91

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by goldilocksrn:

I am a BSN and I feel that I should be paid more for my extra education. What do you think?

THE ISSUE IS THAT INSTEAD OF FIGHTING ABOUT WHO SHOULD GET PAID MORE WE SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SHORTAGE AND DEMAND THE SOLUTION IS THAT WE ALL GET PAID MORE. OTHERWISE, WE ARGUE WITH EACH OTHER OVER NOTHING. IN FIRE SERVICE, WHERE AFTER THREE YEARS AN AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL GRAD MAKES

$50,000, THERE ARE PLENTY OF FIREFIGHTERS WHO HAVE AN AS OR BS DEGREES, BUT YOU DO NOT HEAR THEM AGRUEING ABOUT WHO SHOULD GET PAID MORE. THEY ALL GET PAID MORE!!!

SO WE NEED TO SHUT UP AND SUPPORT MO' MONEY FOR US ALL!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This topic drives me insane. I have worked with so many nurses and to me, the best nurse is the nurse with the most experience in the most areas. I have worked with BSN nurses with not a lick of practical experience and I have worked with LPNs who have tons of experience. I think each nurse should be looked at by their experience and not their initials!! I have worked as a CNA, then as an LPN for many years, am now an ADN. My experiences have lead me to a job as Director of Nurses and I am currently Acting Administrator at a LTC/skilled rehab unit. Just another example of initials meaning nothing...and experience being the key!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you saying that all ADNs are more experienced than all BSNs? Even if they graduated the same day and started work at the same time? Do you think that the ADN programs or better than the BSN programs? What are your statistics on this? Which nurses make more mistakes and stuff like that there? And which nurses have more compassion? The proof is in the pudding. Lay it out there.

Originally posted by nanjam:

If I'm working side by side with a BSN versus ADN what matters truly most is my level of experience. Some BSN grads believe that they are delivering a higher quality of care but that is not necessarily so. As a patient I would rather have an experienced ADN over a less experienced BSN any day! Experience being the operative word. Degrees are quite necessary for advancement and expanding your career choices. Certifications, I believe, should be compensated for their expertise. That is where a nurse's value is better measured, in my opinion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

RNC....

Amen!

------------------

Laurie :)

so many patients...

so little time.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think there will come a time when hospitals won't have a choice BUT to pay more money. Less and less people are entering the profession because we don't get the recognition we deserve. More the reason to compensate accordingly. Higher pay for everyone, yet adjustments according to experience, specialty, and education. I wouldn't get my feelings hurt if a MSN on my unit was paid more.(we have 2 there)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by goldilocksrn:

I am a BSN and I feel that I should be paid more for my extra education. What do you think?

Yabba Dabba Doo! I am an ADN student w/ a BS in business and management. I am concurrently working on an MBA. In becoming an RN, I am pursuing something other than just a mere livelihood -- I am pursuing something that I love -- patient care.

It's a basic tenet in the business world that money talks -- and as the myriad of responses to your question shows, it talks pretty loud, even within the confines of nursing. Earning a higher education should be strongly advocated as a means by which to earn more in the job market (stands to reason) and as a means to avail many more career opportunities. Those who choose not to jump at an opportunity that the federal government is willing to subsidize for a time have different priorities. That's cool, but don't rain on my parade.

I don't think that higher education necessarily provides one with common sense, intuitive process, compassion and a high level of skill -- though they can be honed in the academic environment. Skill and earning wages, however, are two different things. When I graduate, I'm headed to the hospital, clinic (health care organization) who bids the highest for the $$ and time investment I've made to better understand both nursing and business. If nurses don't think the two go hand in hand, better rethink the hospital admin's mantras: census; budget; the bottom line; capitation; human resource management, ad infinitum.

I can always choose to willingly and happily volunteer my patient care skills, gratis, at my discretion, but not at my expense.

Respectfully Submitted

------------------

Dogtooth Violet

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by Angel Nurse:

I think nurses who have the BS as opposed to just an AS should get payed more. Even If you have both nurses doing the same job, the BS nurse should be payed more. The BS nurse took the time and payed the money to receive that BS degree. A BS nurse has gained more knowledge through that education and he/she should be recognized for that.

I think it is silly to pay someone more just because of the amount of education they have. I mean, if you're on a unit as a bsn doing the same job as an asn why should you be paid a higher wage? I think you should be paid depending upon your experience and the no. of years you have been a nurse. My uncle is a teacher with a masters degree in educaton and he makes less than a nurse with an asn. So does this apply to all levels of education? Or do you just think BSN nurses should be paid more because you are one?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I'm working side by side with a BSN versus ADN what matters truly most is my level of experience. Some BSN grads believe that they are delivering a higher quality of care but that is not necessarily so. As a patient I would rather have an experienced ADN over a less experienced BSN any day! Experience being the operative word. Degrees are quite necessary for advancement and expanding your career choices. Certifications, I believe, should be compensated for their expertise. That is where a nurse's value is better measured, in my opinion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a returning student, just starting a ADN (returning to school for fun and to broaden my knowledge). I already have a BA in Psycholgy and a MA in Forensic Psycholgy. I have been a Social Worker for the past ten years.

Since I have told my co-workers at the hospital, that I am going for a ADN I have been put down for this.

Oddly, I do not see much difference in BS/BS programs except for the 2 years of classes in ones' major, which in reality I will have 2 years of liberal arts, 2 years of Psych. and 2 years of Nursing (not including my Masters work. So I will have more schooling and more expereience than many others) when I graduate.

I have no idea if I want to go into nursing full time, I have some time to explore this but when I hear all the arguements against ADN I am confused.

Can anyone give me a reality check before I get out into the real world? What will be my options?

------------------

Michele N., BA (Psycholgy), MA (Forensic Psycholgy) and soon to be RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not sure why you're being "put down". Is it because you're going into nursing? or because you're going the Assoc. degree route?

Besides, who cares what they think. I believe the U of Tennessee has a Forensic Nursing specialty; sounds like just up your alley! Good luck!

Originally posted by MishnVA:

I am a returning student, just starting a ADN (returning to school for fun and to broaden my knowledge). I already have a BA in Psycholgy and a MA in Forensic Psycholgy. I have been a Social Worker for the past ten years.

Since I have told my co-workers at the hospital, that I am going for a ADN I have been put down for this.

Oddly, I do not see much difference in BS/BS programs except for the 2 years of classes in ones' major, which in reality I will have 2 years of liberal arts, 2 years of Psych. and 2 years of Nursing (not including my Masters work. So I will have more schooling and more expereience than many others) when I graduate.

I have no idea if I want to go into nursing full time, I have some time to explore this but when I hear all the arguements against ADN I am confused.

Can anyone give me a reality check before I get out into the real world? What will be my options?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

RNC and marthasrnc...Amen, you both wrote beautiful statements. Dogtooth Violet all I can say is YEAH!!! and MishnVA your alphabet soup was impressive and your statements ring true!!! Thanks every one for great thoughts..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment