ADN vs BSN pay for RN

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I have always heard that no matter what level of education you have if you are working on the floor as an RN then you get paid the same if you have your ADN or your BSN, (not considering floors, locations, experience, ect. just education). Is this true?

I totally agree for the extra education you get extra responsibility, so you should get extra $$$$$$$.

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:rolleyes: i'm just a student but i can't resist saying something...i'm going for my MSN to be a CNS...there are no NP's in hospitals where i am only CNS's (and NP's are in offices/clinics)...i want to work in a hospital so CNS here i come....anyway i am a little worried b/c i've looked around and there are not that many CNS jobs but TONS of RN (BSN or ADN) jobs. i'm just worried that i'll go through all that school and not be able to be an APN like i want. The NP's have the same problem here (charleston, SC) the university told me the NP market is flooded and there are barely any jobs for them also. soooo frustrating:crying2: .
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Specializes in Geriatrics, Gen Med.
I think the whole issue of pay in nursing is jacked up completely.

In my institution, there is no pay incentive for BSNs.

My personal opinion is ANY nurse should be compensated, even just a small amount or a one-time lump sum, for ANY additional education that is above the minimum requirement to practice there. That would include bachelor's degrees, certifications, etc.

I also think that nurses shouldn't take pay CUTS for going to administrative or support roles, ie: an 8 year veteran nurse with a Master's degree who is teaching new grads in a hospital setting shouldn't be making LESS than them an hour; her experience and education which allows her to teach should be valued and thus she should be compensated. In addition, it promotes a sense of growth and succession planning within nursing itself.

I agree with you totally. And speaking of teachers, we have a shortage of Nursing teachers because most nurses are content to stop at RN level as there is not much financial incentive to go on from there since the pay remains nearly flat between RN and BSN.

There should be a pay difference given the extra time and money spent on education, also, if there was even more pay at the Masters level than there currently is, we might not be having the shortage of teachers that weare now experienceing as more would move Nurses would move up to that level. :yelclap:

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

Our hospital, too pays exactly the same. We were told for BSN if we wanted a pay increase we would have to take a management position.

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Maternal and Child.

My VA doesn't hire LPNs or ADNs anymore either. The trend is totally going towards BSN and higher. The VA takes safety very seriously and that's why their hospitals have the highest safety ratings in the US. They go along with the research that more BSNs on a floor equals lower morbidity rates. I work with excellent ADNs and LPNs. Also, LPNs in the VA system are not allowed to do as much as RNs. They mainly give meds. They can't do patient assessments at all. At least not in the Las Vegas VA hospital. Maybe it's different in other areas.

Wow rebeccajnlv!!! With all of that research and the VA hospital's highest rating in safety, our Veterans should be getting carte blanche care in the VA Hospitals for their mental and physical suffering after gallantly serving their country. But we know that in the majority of the VA hospitals that is not the case. I believe the movie "Born on The 4th of July" is a more accurate portrayal of the VA hospitals. Sorry if I'm not a big fan of the VA but my father was a Veteran of WWII, was in seven major battles in the European Theater. He literally cried like a baby when he had to go to the VA for his radiation treatments for cancer due to the horrible treatment he got from both the medical and I'm sorry to say the nursing staff as well. He was in constant pain and he and my mother had to beg for pain medication. This was back in 1980 and from what I hear from many modern day Vets, the care isn't that great today either. So that research you mentioned is completely blown out of the water!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Our hospital, too pays exactly the same. We were told for BSN if we wanted a pay increase we would have to take a management position.

And because management is a salary position that doesn't routinely earn overtime, that is most likely a pay CUT.

I've made more than my managers for years. Several along the way of stepped down for JUST THAT REASON.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

Depends on the hospital group. I actually called nursing recruiters at various hospitals and didn't ask for a salary (which would have been inappropriate), but I did ask in general if there was a significant difference between the two.

I was told for new grads, it's the same, but as far as promotions, etc, in a few years, a BSN will typically earn significantly more than an ASN. I'm getting my ASN first to be able to work while earning my BSN.

There is a magnent hospital located nearby that is ony hiring BSN's. I highly suspect this is for PR issues and not so much patient care quality.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I was told for new grads, it's the same, but as far as promotions, etc, in a few years, a BSN will typically earn significantly more than an ASN. I'm getting my ASN first to be able to work while earning my BSN.

I would ask to clarify exactly how this is so.

They are probably referring to a 'career' or 'clinical' ladder in which BSN is one of many criteria.

For example, my BA-in Biology carries 1.5 pts on our career ladder. A BSN: 2 pts. Grad degree: 4 pts.

CCRN: 2pts.

AACN membership: 1 pt.

Volunteering for a nursing related activity: 1 pt.

Not missing more that 2 days work in last year: 1 pt.

Working 12 OT shifts in a year: 1 pt.

Being on 2 committees: 1 pt each.

Total amount of Career Ladder salary bump for my having 22 pts this year: 1,000 dollars.

I wouldn't call 2/22nds of a grand: significant. In fact, I'd call it about 80 bucks: 20 bucks in my case because I got 1.5 pt for having a non-nursing degree.

Like I said, I would seek a clarification there. Are they suggesting that the annual raise is different and higher? Or are they referring to a career ladder where BSN is but a small component?

~faith,

Timothy.

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where I work the LPN's have been told to go back to school or find another job. there is rumor that the adn RN will have to get there BSN to. well i went back to school got my adn took a 7 dollor cut in pay from lpn to RN now that was worth all the money i paid to go back to school and to go back again how much more money will i lose for spending a large amt to get that BSN. I am moving on to another hospital.. all the years i was a LPN all i heard about was the safty factor of being a LPN, well now you say its safty because i dont have a BSN. SAFTY IS EVERYONS RESPONSIBILITY to there patients.

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I totally agree for the extra education you get extra responsibility, so you should get extra $$$$$$$.

If that were the case, then extra pay would be warrented, but where I worked the BSN had no extra responsibility at the bedside.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.
I would ask to clarify exactly how this is so.

They are probably referring to a 'career' or 'clinical' ladder in which BSN is one of many criteria.

For example, my BA-in Biology carries 1.5 pts on our career ladder. A BSN: 2 pts. Grad degree: 4 pts.

CCRN: 2pts.

AACN membership: 1 pt.

Volunteering for a nursing related activity: 1 pt.

Not missing more that 2 days work in last year: 1 pt.

Working 12 OT shifts in a year: 1 pt.

Being on 2 committees: 1 pt each.

Total amount of Career Ladder salary bump for my having 22 pts this year: 1,000 dollars.

I wouldn't call 2/22nds of a grand: significant. In fact, I'd call it about 80 bucks: 20 bucks in my case because I got 1.5 pt for having a non-nursing degree.

Like I said, I would seek a clarification there. Are they suggesting that the annual raise is different and higher? Or are they referring to a career ladder where BSN is but a small component?

~faith,

Timothy.

They weren't offering me a job, I was asking for basic information. This is going to vary by hospital, but the overall answer I got was "yes".

As a matter of professionalism, I would never ask specifics on exact salary unless I was actually offered a job. Most interview experts would advise the same and I never have in my working career.

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The Benefits Sound Great, But I Was Wondering What Type Of Schedule You Work. Are You Able To Work 3 12s Or 5 8s?

Thanks

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