BSN vs. ADN

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a BSN and I feel that I should be paid more for my extra education. What do you think?

I have seen ADN/Diplima nurses run circles around BSN Nurses based on the actual hands on training the ADN/Diploma nurses. The technical skills were superior to the BSN. Their ability to work as a team player was better.

Pay should be based on experience and level of responsibility, not education. I speak from experience . I worked in a hospital based skilled unit for 4 1/2 years in an administrative position. I am an ADN RN with a BA in Education. I had a BSN assistant. We did Medicare/Medicaid Assessment... the dreded MDS! All the while I was in the position, the unit stayed deficiency free. Some corporate restructuring was going on and because the BSN was payed less than I was and she had a "BSN", she moved into my position and I was demoted to a staff nurse and off the unit. Well, the Medicare/Medicaid Inspectors/Surveyors came in for the annual survey, the unit got deficiencies for MDS/Care Plan problems.

Go Figure!

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I have a BSN & I went that route because of the potential for better promotions (I started in an ADN program years ago & had to drop out due to ending up in a wheelchair for awhile- I'm now 39 & finally have my BSN). It is my belief that the Diploma nurse probably has the best skills at the beginning of one's career. As far as the difference between the clinical time involved between the ADN & the BSN; here it is the same, the BSN just has more theory with it (plus more general education credits). Both still have to have Microbiology, Nutrition, Ethics, Anatomy & Physiology with laboratory, (I know I had to have Statistics; however, I'm not sure if the ADN has to have it)etc. At least that's the case here in Missouri.

Experience is a major factor. Even though I have a BSN, I'm so many years behind my wonderful Aunt in Memphis (she graduated from a Diploma program) that I will probably never achieve her level of expertise. Let's get over the cat & dog fighting & pull together.:)

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The BSNs at my university actually got more clinincal training than the diploma students because they had an extra year of clinical time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

Several points here:

1)I have not ever noticed a difference in the clinical skills of a BSN vs. ADN.

2)I do believe that BSN's should compensated for their education, that is one of the rewards for advanced education(in addition to opportunities for advancement). Higher pay should serve as one of the incentives to continue one's education.

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This is an age old discussion, but I can't resist. I have an ADN, I will be getting my BSN/MSN degrees soon (after 20 years). Now, I don't think that I should get a load of money for my education but I do feel that some compensation should be included. I also have 20 years of experience here, and I was a CNA, then LVN prior to my RN. So, what am I saying?

Pay scales have to be based on certain criteria, then have additional "rungs on the ladder" if that is a good term to include the other variables invovled. If I had a choice of nurses right now, I know a LVN who I would prefer hands down to care for me; she should be paid for her experience and her ability. However, I don't believe she should make more than I would caring for the same patients. I am sure this is as clear as mud but hope you will understand.

These things aren't as simple as they seem; as I get more into health care policy (and politics) I develope a better understanding but when I am working on the floor I don't want an inexperienced nurse or bad LVN making as much as I do when I am hard working, experienced and have more education. I think that is a given in most professions and health care is no different. Certainly the pay scales should reflect all these issues, unfornuately more often that not, they don't. So, it will be up to those of us who are out there on the front lines to correct the problem.

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Like fergus51, the BSN programs in my area actually get MORE clinical hours, not less. For some reason this generalization that BSNs receive less clinical hours is something that some people cling to.

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originally posted by goldilocksrn

i am a bsn and i feel that i should be paid more for my extra education. what do you think?

no, since rn's all take the same boards. :rolleyes:
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