Average Salary for ADN vs BSN

[ltf500]

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!

[sweetjess321]

I disagree. you get the same education in the ADN Program as you do in the BSN. It's the same curriculum.

[apickle]

Two questions....Did you ever nurse below the RN,BSN level? and are you based in the city or a rural area? Though both arguements are very passionate, walk in someone elses shoes. I don't think this is an area where the words "ALWAYS" or "NEVER" should be used. Different areas of population, speciality, etc. have far different needs.

I started as an LVN, and remained such for 13yrs. My licensure did was not representative of my intelligence level, nor the level of skill or care I was capable of providing. I furthered my education to an ADN 1 year ago. I cannot say it changed who I am or the quality of care I give my patients. I can say that with every higher level of education one achieves, different, and possibly more doors open; however, it's not the initals that make the Best Leader or the Best Nurse. It is the quality and commitment (and common sense) they hold. A degree (or licensure) does not make the nurse. A knowledge base is worth the expense paid to receive it, but experience is priceless.

[allthesmallthings]

No that is NOT true..They MUST have a Bachelor's as entry level which is required. When you are in chargeof CNA'a & LPN's I feel a Bachelor's degree is needed. We are dealing with people's lives,if the highest degree in nursing was an associate's I could see your point as with all the jobs you stated which most in the hospital are considered ancillary.

I disagree; admittedly, I've never researched about the ADN (I'm a BSN), but as I understand it, there are the same core classes; I don't see how two years worth of pre-reqs on Sociology 1 and Composition 1 and electives makes a difference in saving someone's life. I'm glad I got the BSN, but that's for professional and personal reasons, not because I believe there's a difference in quality of care. Again, if you're looking down at a Pt who's circling the drain, your liberal arts courses don't help save his life. The management and professionalism and communication courses have helped me (I don't know if they get those in ADN or not?), but frankly, ADN's with better social skills and communication skills are going to be better at managing and delegating than I am (I'm somewhat awkward, socially). WHen it comes down to keeping people alive, though, it's some good basic core classes along with experience and judgment that does it.

[rhorner05]

The biggest difference in adn and bsn is advancment at my hospital.

[MandaRN94]

I have to disagree -ADN and BSN school is not the same. I do believe the BSN should be mandatory. If we want to be thought of as professionals we need to have the education to back it up. Yes , taking care of pts is important , blah blah, blah but the BSN also educates nurses about critical thinking skills and theory. Any one can be taught to put in a foley in -nursing needs to be more than a trade school.

[Dimalevin]

I have only read some of the posts regarding this thread, and feel ashamed that there has to be a tear between BSN and ADN nurses. The only real difference between a BSN and an ADN is there is more research and general req. courses that need to be taken, none of which make any difference in your bedside practice. Being an ADN nurse no one would notice a difference between myself and a BSN nurse at the bedside.

We all know nursing is a profession no matter the degree, and most of us continue on with our education, whether at the bedside or in the classroom, so where one starts should not really be a concern.

[allthesmallthings]

I have to disagree -ADN and BSN school is not the same. I do believe the BSN should be mandatory. If we want to be thought of as professionals we need to have the education to back it up. Yes , taking care of pts is important , blah blah, blah but the BSN also educates nurses about critical thinking skills and theory. Any one can be taught to put in a foley in -nursing needs to be more than a trade school.

I kind of get turned off whenever I hear that phrase "we must be thought of as professionals" creep into nursing conversation...yeah, I do kind of feel "professional" having a bachelor's degree, and I do appreciate the critical thinking courses and theory...but if nurses are required to have a bachelor's, what's that going to do to the cost of care? or the nursing supply? If I were a Pt, I'd be as comfortable having an ADN with a good head on her shoulders and solid knowledge and common sense take care of me as a BSN with the whole "critical thinking/research/soft skills" package. I still feel that, safety-wise, it's the core classes that save you; the soft skills are more administration-oriented.

The nurse who taught me the most about professionalism (pulled me aside and chewed my a-- off about it, to my benefit) was an ADN - not to hammer the point, but it's the same basic "professionalism" that you get in any other profession - you know, be polite and thoughtful, have an "we're all in it together" mindset, don't talk about your sex life in front of Pts/visitors (yes, they DID actually tell us not to do that in a work meeting!), have some phone manners, say please/thank you ma/am/sir, treat your coworkers as professionals and equals, return business correspondence well and with courtesy, don't trash talk your coworkers/the hospital in front of Pts, have a clean work station, don't floss your teeth at the nurses station...you know, in that line. And you don't need a bachelor's degree to really learn that (yes, the bachelor's does kind of hammer you into the professional mentality - but your parents could just as well teach you all the same stuff).

[MandaRN94]

Well if nursing is just about "morals" and basic manners then we should just bring back the diploma programs and or better yet just use Nightingales's notes on how to be a nurse for training.

[BCRNA]

To impact patient care at a level that will actually improve patient outcomes through changes in policy and procedures (which can dictate direct patient care delivery) you have to be respected and "seen as professionals". All RN's regardless of education have the ability of being professional. Though many studies have indicated that nurses with higher education improve patient outcomes, feel free to go to PubMed or CINAHL to look up the studies for yourself. Magnet hospitals have to hire people with higher educations to maintain Magnet status, promoting education is part of the philosophy of being Magnet.

[allthesmallthings]

Well if nursing is just about "morals" and basic manners then we should just bring back the diploma programs and or better yet just use Nightingales's notes on how to be a nurse for training.

No, I was was commenting on professionalism apart from nursing. I was stating that professionalism is the combo of some ethics + manners, and that a bachelor's is not required for professionalism.

[Catch22Personified]

No difference in pay. Being an RN in our place only gives us a $2 increase versus our LPN colleagues.

[Sandman6237]

Maybe someone can answer this question for me...I already have a BS degree in Psychology/minor in business administration, but am very interested in getting my ADN (tech version of a BSN?) through a local tech school. Though it obviously wouldn't be a BSN degree, would I still have the same abilities for future growth/salary as a BSN degreed nurse? Any downsides that you know of?

Thanks for any and all info