Pay difference between RN and BSN?

RITA2007 · Sep 11, 2006

We're RN's whether we have an ASN or BSN. Where I live, a BSN graduate starts out making maybe a dollar more an hour than an ASN graduate.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Sep 11, 2006

There has been many posts on this subject..and let me tell you from my end...NONE! There is no pay difference here, and the only difference in RN pay dispite the degree is how many years you have been a NURSE! That seems rational to me...don't pay the degree..pay the experience!

Someone has this as their sig..I love it...and I can't quote it because I just remember seeing it and saying YES! "A degree doesn't mean education!" I belive that 100%...individual talent, skill, learning and what not makes the nurse...and we are all individual as the day is long...that is the joy and thankfully wonderful thing about nursing!!!!!!!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 11, 2006

Some places offer a small pay increase for BSN's. Most places do not on the grounds that BSN grads are doing the same job as the ADN and Diploma graduates.

The financial rewards for the BSN come later, as the BSN makes it easier to obtain promotions and other nursing positions that offer more pay and/or other benefits (such as more attractive scheduling).

Even though you have a Master's Degree in another field, you will still be a "beginner" newly graduated nurse. Hopefully, your past experiences and BSN will help you progress quickly in your nursing career -- but you will still, most likely, have to start at the beginner level along with all the other new grads.

Good luck to you,

llg

neygray · Sep 11, 2006

The area I'm from, hospitals started new grads out at the same rate, regardless of what type of RN degree you had because you have the same hands on skills as any other, which is essentially none other than your clinicals. After employment, if you went back to school for BSN, then you got a .50 raise after graduation and none for a Masters unless you took a higher management position.

I read on another post that you are a RD. Have you considered going for a CDE? They are paid well and if you worked for a corporation dealing with diabetics, you are paid handsomely.

Genista, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2006

I have a BSN, and there is no difference in pay for degree for me. Once in awhile we even have a MSN degree RN working the floor, and they get the same pay too. Where I work, you are paid for the position, not the degree. Our pay wage goes up based on number of years experience/employment (union job).

Larry77, RN · Sep 11, 2006

0.85/hr at my work for either certification or BSN and not both (you can't get more if you have both)

Will cost me 10k for my BSN so that would be paid back in 8,500 hrs. Another option for me is a 3 day course for my certification...prob the direction I will go being that it would actually make me better at my job where having my BSN would not.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 12, 2006

i have a bsn and 28 years of experience; my husband has a diploma and 23 years of experience. right now, he's making $2/hour more.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 12, 2006

none where I am.

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2006

At my hospital, there is a .50 cent per hour differential. Wahoo - that's about $1000 a year. I think the question is less will you make more money as a BSN, but where do you want to go in nursing? I enjoy my job in the ER, but I have no plans on staying in bedside nursing forever. I'm getting my MSN as FNP so I have more options.

Although, if you're looking at accelerated vs ADN, I would personally go accelerated. Then you have the options. Plus, there has been some rumblings from the ANA regarding the "lowest acceptable" education for a nurse - and requiring everyone to have their BSN. It probably won't be for awhile, but that's also something to think about.

PS-I am a BSN, but I really feel that ADNs come out of school better prepared for bedside nursing. What we need is a program that highlights the strengths of both paths.

RNSacht · Sep 12, 2006

i have a bsn and 28 years of experience; my husband has a diploma and 23 years of experience. right now, he's making $2/hour more.

now that does not sound fair!!!!! im a new grad and have been on a tele floor for 7 months, i started out at $21.00 an hour and i am already up to $25.00 and we get about a $2.00 raise in dec and in feb (my one year mark) i will get $1 more. i must say i do not think this is fair because i know that the nurses on my floor are at about $31.00 an hour. i think that experienced nurses deserve more $$$$$$$$.. meaning that i am in favor of the other nurses making more not myself. i hope i am making sense.

and this is coming from someone who is new (yes i am and adn graduate) i am one of the few that feel that bsn should make more $$ as well. (not myself) of course i will not comment again because i have learned on allnurses that this is a very sensitive subject. :nono:

gradgitated · Sep 13, 2006

In my area, I've been told (by my instructors) that the wage difference between an RN and BSN is approximately 75 cents an hour. Multiply that times 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year and it totals $1560.00 per year. Then figure that it takes 1 to 2 years longer to get a BSN than an ADN, plus the cost of tuition, books, supplies and gas and then add the wages that you'll be missing out on while attending school. For older students (like me) going to a 4 year program didn't seem to make much sense. My plan is to enroll in an online RN to MSN program and work 3 days a week; I estimate that I'll have my MSN in 3 years and be able to make a living while I'm doing it. Ultimately I'd like to become a nursing instructor.