Average Salary for ADN vs BSN

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I know this will vary greatly by region, but what is the average pay for an entry-level nurse (right out of school) with an Associates in Nursing versus a Bachelors in Nursing? Has anyone found that it has been difficult to find a job if you have an ADN? I'm trying to figure out the best educational path, while juggling a full-time job and small child.

Thanks!

thank you for taking the time to email me and share your thoughts on the nursing shortage. you are very well spoken and a strong advocate for patients and the nursing profession. our healthcare system is indeed broken, and serious steps must be taken to ensure that patients receive high quality, safe care. the research shows that nurses with high patient loads are spread too thin, and patients suffer the consequences. fortunately, the magnet hospital concept is catching on and more facilities are moving to limit nurse to patient ratios and enhance the nurse work environment. the current trend in not hiring new graduates in some parts of the country is a direct result of the recession which has impacted all sectors of the economy. this disruption in usual trends has resulted since nurses planning to retire are holding on to their jobs, some part-time nurses are now working full-time to make ends meet, and hospitals have instituted hiring freezes to help keep costs down. as the economy recovers, we do expect old patterns to re-emerge and many rn positions are expected to open soon. the rn workforce is still aging rapidly and a large wave of retirements is expected over the next 10 years. i know that some parts of the country are still experiencing shortages (like texas and missouri) and heard last week that new nursing grads can earn annual salaries of up to $80,000 if they opt to work in the delta region of mississippi. below are some links to jobs site that you may find useful. i do wish to offer some additional information about baccalaureate prepared and associate degree nurses. you should be proud of your magna cum laude standing and i know you worked hard to achieve this. but associate degree programs are not accelerated versions of baccalaureate programs, and bsn graduate do receive more in-depth and rigorous coursework in the sciences, research, community health, and management. the reason why magnet hospitals look to hire bsn grads is because they recognize a difference in these nurses, and the research is clear that patient outcomes are better when care is provided by bsn nurses. you are clearly a bright, committed nurse and i encourage you to continue your formal education (up through doctoral preparation!) because nursing needs strong leaders like you guiding the profession. best of luck to you in your job search. robert

chief communications officer

american association of colleges of nursing

one dupont circle, suite 530

washington, d.c. 20036

202-463-6930, x231

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I have an ADN the area where I live the pay is the same for entry level. Having a BSN is supposedly makes you better candidate for management. I am looking into earning a BSN on line but do not want a degree from Mickey Mouse U, does any one know an online program that employers would be impressed with. There are so many to choose from it will make your head spin

I live in Ohio and I know a couple ADN's that are going online to Ohio University and Indiana Wesleyan University for their BSN they are both online programs, I know someone who's also doing the same thing with Ohio State University, but I'm not sure if it's in-class or online. Any of those schools, I think, would be a respectable place to have a degree from. :yeah:

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At my hospital ADNs and BSNs get paid the same. However, as they are working toward Magnet status, they are actively rejecting ADNs for BSNs. I think hospitals in general are hiring more BSNs in this economy regardless of their goals for magnet status. Employment is way more competitive than several years ago. In addition, we read several studies during nursing school which concluded that BSNs offer better quality of care overall to their patients. In fact, there was a statistically significant decrease in the mortality rates of hospitals who staffed more BSNs.

I worked hard for my degree and am proud of it!

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where do you work?!

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WE ALL worked hard for our degree and are proud of it! WE all took the NCLEX and passed. WE ALL deserve a chance. Statistics also showed at one point that using MARGARINE decreased mortality rates over Butter! Now trans fats are BANNED in almost every state in the USA. I am not saying the same will happen, however my point is that statistics are a very tricky study to be throwing out there to prove a point. They change all the time. Even if statistics showed that ADN or Diploma nurses helped lower mortality rates at hospitals I wouldn't be convinced. A nurse is a nurse.... there are great nurses and not so wonderful nurses REGARDLESS OF THEIR DEGREE! Our job is to continue our degree to the highest degree possible and always always increase our knowledge base. My ADN does not tell you that I won't one day be a DNP. I just want a CHANCE TO HAVE A JOB DOING THE THING I HAPPEN TO LOVE! If that means this summer I have to pack on a few classes to get into the best BSN-MSN program in NY state then SO BE IT!

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Oh Cmon!!! What statistics? Can you show us some statistics that show a BSN nurse gives better care and lowers the death rate rather than ADN nurse???? Thats a pretty bold statement that Id like to see you back up.

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Oh Cmon!!! What statistics? Can you show us some statistics that show a BSN nurse gives better care and lowers the death rate rather than ADN nurse???? Thats a pretty bold statement that Id like to see you back up.

Research has proven it. A quick Google search came up with this site.

AACN - Media - Impact of Education on Nursing Practice Fact Sheet

It discusses the various published research which shows patient outcome is better when the nurse has their BSN over ADN.

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Linda Aiken at the University of Pennsylvania did a study that showed a 17.7% drop in deaths when the unit is staffed by 60% BSNs when compared to 20% BSNs. Other studies have shown similar results.

This info is from the April 2007 issue of New York Nurse.

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I dont see that statement in any of these studies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I am going to go back to school to get my RN, but just wanted to say that as an LPN, I have been afforded some really terrific opportunities, so I am proof positive that management opportunities are not just available to BSN's. I live in Indiana and I have been a Unit Manager, a Night Shift Supervisor, Nurse Manager, and presently an ADON. My annual salary is 56,000, which I think is pretty good for an LPN. I continually get good annual reviews and my staff and I get along very well, so I do think I do a pretty good job. And yes, I am the boss for RN's. They absolutely report to me. Now, I must admit, if I was an RN, that would bother me. I don't have any say over that though. That is how it's done in my facility. I just do the job I am paid to do. My DON's license is hanging on the wall because it has to because SHE's the RN, but I do the work, I assure you. So, as far as being able to do it, LPN's can definitely do it and do it well. But, I do realize that to be afforded more opportunities and to get the bucks that go along with actually being the one doing it, I do need to get my RN. LPN's getting these opportunities is not that unheard of in Southern Indiana.

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Around here the pay is the same for ADN or BSN. The BSN programs are dieing out now that there are ADN-MSN bridge programs. ADN is more focused on nursing and the BSN adds in a bunch of management courses to bring the credit hrs up to 128. If I was advising new students I would discourage them from spending the extra 2 years in a BSN program.

that is what i was thinking if doing, im hopping to start school in January. i think iil take small steps but long range is NP

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, OPS, Psych.

i admire you for the job you're doing as a manager and i personally know admire alot of very good and knowledgeable lpn's, but as a rn in louisiana it is against the policy of our state boards for a rn to bu under nurse with a lesser degree; even though they may have more knowledge. i may be able to utilze their talents and knowledge, but i can't put that they're over me ...i have to be the one doing the delegating.

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