BSN vs ADN salary as new grad

beautyandbrains · Nov 7, 2015

I would imagine that you should be paid for having more education as an RN, BSN

missamelissy8 · Nov 7, 2015

You pretty much hit it on the head for the hospitals in my area. No difference in pay for BSN. Only for graduate level (and that is very minimal, considering) or specialty certifications. However, having a BSN is a hiring perk.

OwlNation · Nov 7, 2015

I just left a similar comment on another thread. I did LPN to RN to BSN.

I worked 10 months as a BSN and a magnet hospital hired me, while I signed a contract that I would be enrolled in a BSN program within one year and have the BSN within 5 years. Happy to say I received mine in under a year!

It was sort of a blessing in financial disguise. My ADN was cheaper, I came out with no debt. I went to work at a state facility making as much as the BSN @ the Magnet Facility as a new grad RN (plus about 80 cents more for LPN experience). Overall, I made about $4 an hour then (than?) the new hire BSN nurses (ones that even graduated from their program and received preferential placement). We did get a nice cost of living raise this year, but overall I make about $5.25 more an hour versus the straight BSN new grad.

To make matters worse (for other I suppose), we have many CNL nurses who start off at approx 50 cents more than I did. The theory I've been told is that they will go work in the field they picked, they will have an easier time getting a better job (not necessarily one that pays better, but one that they want, etc), and then they will be able to become management material within their chosen field. I like this idea because the CNLs will have some experience on the floor prior to becoming management.

But financially it worked out much better for me. I only owe $10,000 for BSN. And the loans I am piling up now as a psych np student will be paid off by the federal government by working for them for a few years. I also did not get a raise for that BSN I owe 10 grand to.. ..

bethanphetamine · Nov 8, 2015

Thanks for your replies. It does seem as though the BSN will hopefully just help me get hired quicker, rather than help me pay off my loans quicker. :yes: Oh well!

springchick1, ADN, RN · Nov 8, 2015

In my area, ADN nurses are hired just as frequently as BSN nurses. And the pay is the same.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Nov 8, 2015

In my area, I've been told by many nurses that the pay is 25 cents per hour more for a BSN vs ADN.

However, of the 4 hospital companies in my area, 1 (UC Davis) requires a BSN. The other 3 (Sutter, mercy, Kaiser) hire ADNs, but one hires only with experience.