Different pay and responsibility for 2 year RN's VS 4 year RN's

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm completing an RN to BSN program in 2 months. I have learned so much in the BSN program I wish I had taken it sooner. The additional education has taught me skills I never learned in trainings, or by experience.

I think that just as there is a difference in the tasks an RN and LPN can preform, there should also be a difference in what a two year RN can do, in comparison to a RN with a BSN. The 2 year RN should not be in leadeership or management positions since they have not been trained in accredeited colleges for this skill. The BSN has. I'm sure the 2 yers RN's will disagree with me, and 2 years ago I would have disagreed also. However, after being able to compare the two from personal experience, I feel the BSN is more educated for leadership and management. The BSN nurse should be paid more, and should be the starting educational level for these positions.

Most professions have at least a 4 year degree. Nurses need to improve their educational standing to be equal with other professional fields.

Hello... anyone remember the nursing shortage!

I want a nurse beside me that can perform her/his job function adequately without me having to pick up the extra slack. I don't care if you are a 2,4,6yr nurse.

Yes, a BSN will promote the image of professional nursing. But when you are trying to attract nurses into the profession, especially older, 2nd career nurses, mandating 4 yr degrees is not going to be the answer. Especially appealing is the fact that you can get your nursing degree in 2 years, when you have to deal with a job, family and extra-cirricular activites.

I firmly believe that the 2 and 4 year nursing programs need to get it together, get the cirriculum straight, and only then can we talk about mandatory education requirements.

my two cents anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was waiting for someone to address the fact that there may be NO nurse at the bedside soon, Moonshadow!

All this entry level yada yada has been going on forever. Has it happened? No. I work with Boston College SON people. They are paying well over $25K/yr for the pleasure of becoming an RN. They will have a job when they graduate and survey says---last a year or less on the job before looking for a new career. Unless the job environment changes this will continue, BSN or not!

I once preceptered a new LPN to BSN grad. She told me she was surprised at the tension between the BSN and non-BSN nurses on our floor. I looked at her and responded "Any tension on this floor is nurse to nurse. Most of us don't know or care if we are BSN or ADN or Diploma grads. We are only interested in whether we can get the job done and are team players."

In a perfect world BSN should be the entry level, but when hospitals are recruiting foreign nurses to get people at the bedside, it's all a pipedream to expect this entry level debate to mean anything at all. When I graduated in 1980 they were talking about this--nothing has changed except there are fewer programs for BSN's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by kasey14546

I'm completing an RN to BSN program in 2 months. I have learned so much in the BSN program I wish I had taken it sooner. The additional education has taught me skills I never learned in trainings, or by experience.

I think that just as there is a difference in the tasks an RN and LPN can preform, there should also be a difference in what a two year RN can do, in comparison to a RN with a BSN. The 2 year RN should not be in leadeership or management positions since they have not been trained in accredeited colleges for this skill. The BSN has. I'm sure the 2 yers RN's will disagree with me, and 2 years ago I would have disagreed also. However, after being able to compare the two from personal experience, I feel the BSN is more educated for leadership and management. The BSN nurse should be paid more, and should be the starting educational level for these positions.

Most professions have at least a 4 year degree. Nurses need to improve their educational standing to be equal with other professional fields.

Yep..I disagree. Leadership does not come with education; there are naturally leaders in every group. Yes there are different tasks that can be done by LPN, RN...but that does not mean an LPN cannot learn that task or understand it, nor does it mean a 4-year grad is any more capable of performing a task than a 2 year grad. It only means they cannot perform it legally in certain facilities. My whole problem with nursing and nursing education is the brainwashing that the RN is superior because they have more education. I will never agree with this, and I disagree with your comment about leadership and management. Now that you have your 4 year degree, are you all of a sudden a leader?? :( And let me also say, I ATTENDED AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE....don't assume I didn't. Please think before you speak.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Small point of order here. Anyone notice Kasey only posted the ONE time? We're preaching at the choir here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by EmeraldNYL

Kasey, I agree with you 100%. Usually a BSN is required for management positions in my area, but new staff nurses make the same regardless if they have an ADN or BSN. I don't think this is right considering the BSN has more education, and therefore more skills. The profession of physical therapy has become a mroe well-respected, higher-paying profession because they all agreed to now requiring the phD. If nurses could all agree to make the BSN the minimal required entry level, this may help advance our profession as well. BTW, welcome to the board!

BOOO HISSS:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HUMMMMMMM.......playin the alphabet game again.... I know many ADNs that dance circles around a BSN.... BSN makes you more qualified to write APA formatt papers in the field..... hummm do we do those at the patients bedside ????

Not knocking the BSNs..... but again a Nurse is a NURSE is a Nurse.... when it comes to patient care...... nowwwwwwww if you want to be Management I suggest how to bend over and grab your ankles 101...... and how to do the CEO in 10 easy steps.... its cheaper than a MSN......:roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED staff.

and.... Don't knock us old diploma nurses. I can guarantee you I got more clinical experience than any ADN or BSN program. From my personal experience, I would rather work with an ADN than a BSN nurse because they have more clinical experience and need less watching over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by LilgirlRN

and.... Don't knock us old diploma nurses. I can guarantee you I got more clinical experience than any ADN or BSN program. From my personal experience, I would rather work with an ADN than a BSN nurse because they have more clinical experience and need less watching over.

:D :D :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Emerald: I really hope that when you are working as a GN, you can find it in your heart to have a little appreciation for the lowly diploma, ADN, and LPN's who will be helping you find your way.

Elitist attitudes have no place in the profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by fab4fan

Well, well, well...look who's feelin' fiesty...LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!:roll

Yip...only 2 short shifts in triage and ...l need an attitude adjustment.........again!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Leah:

I've always felt that slap therapy was underutilized.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by RED_ALERT37

nowwwwwwww if you want to be Management I suggest how to bend over and grab your ankles 101...... and how to do the CEO in 10 easy steps.... its cheaper than a MSN......:roll

Considering I've already made it clear in this thread that I am in management, should I be taking this slam personally?

I don't have an MSN yet, and I don't "do" the CEO, 'cause, first of all, I don't need to, and secondly--EWWW. Trust me. Just...ew.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment