BSN vs. RN Salary

U.S.A. Alabama

Published

Hi! I got a lot of information about RN salaries from another thread. What it seems to be, is that around the Bham area, starting salaries are at about $18/hr. My question is, to any of you that know, or any of you that are Bachelors' grads, what is the difference in the pay? I have heard that Associates & Bachelors' pay are about the same. Do any of you know if this is true? (It seems that if "they" want BSN grads so bad that they would pay more per hour for a BSN than an Associates). Thanks for any info you have.

Specializes in CVICU.

My hospital pays more for a BSN (3%) + 3% more for MSN but also pays 3% for CCRN, PCCN or any other cert. they consider it more edu but BSN does not make you a better nurse. (case in point one of the most imperessive open heart nurses in our unit is a 20+ year LPN. I have more respect for her than some BSN I work with) just my ?

MsCT said:
I am so glad to see this information. I just signed up for Associates of Nursing program. I feel so much better now. I do have an Associates in General STudies. Do you think I would make a little more with two associate degrees?

No, i highly doubt holding two associates degrees would yield one a higher salary.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Critical Care Nursing.

I'm gonna take heat for this post...but it is all good...

I've been an ADN for eleven years. I've seen the threads on allnurses.com for years debating the validity of ADN vs. BSN. And for a long time, I've sided with the ADNs regarding "What's a BSN got to do with it?" Trust me, I shared that frustration.

I am enrolled in a RN-BSN program at Auburn University-Montgomery. The three semester program has a cute nickname..."Perspective Transformation Journey." And perspective changing it has been. Earlier, a poster mentioned that other "professions" require at best, a Bachelor's degree for entry level practice. That being said, in order to be taken seriously as a profession, we need to up the ante on our educational requirements to gain that said respect. It has nothing to do with "I've been a manager with my Associate's degree, and that's where I'm gonna stick it" mentality, or "I know LPNs that run circles around some of the RNs on our unit." Although this may be true, it does not hold weight for us as a PROFESSION.

My professor made a profound statement in class one day.."Anyone can train a monkey to be a nurse. But monkeys do not have multiple level critical thinking skils." Now, that being said, I reiterate I've been an ADN for eleven years. I am highly intelligent, and very technically sound, and can see sh*t hitting the fan hours before it comes (intuition). However, in just ONE SEMESTER, my horizons have been broadened. Just what does it mean to be a "nurse"? Most people describe us as "caring, compassionate, devoted, loving, blah, blah blah...". But who ever describes a nurse CONSISTENTLY as SMART, EDUCATED, etc...and why is it that when we show promise to people like our patients, they ask us why we didn't go to MEDICAL school??? One day, when we gain respect as a profession, our patients will say..."Wow..you are something else. NO WONDER YOU BECAME A NURSE."

The professional nurse does more than manage and think critically. He/she gives back to their community, they teach, they participate in forward moving legislation for our field, they contribute to evidence-based research, they participate ACTIVELY in their professional organizations, and they think OUTSIDE the box. If you are happy with being an ADN, and the shoe fits, by all means wear it. I've worn those shoes for ELEVEN YEARS. But I pat myself on the back for being open-minded and giving myself a chance to be a more well-rounded nurse who wants to be taken as seriously as she takes herself.

Check out the BSN in 10 initiative. Google it. People, there is a reason the Magnet movement exists. And it ain't all about YOU. It's about nursing- as a profession! When we stop looking at the BSN as a stepping stone to advanced practice nursing, and more like progression of our profession, our pay rates will change, our level or respect will change, we will get the legislation we need to end the nursing shortage, and maybe, just MAYBE, those little "naughty nurse outfits" will slowly fade into oblivion because we will be taken MORE SERIOUSLY!!

Well in the hospital setting nurses with a BSN can become a manager if they wanted after a few years of staff nursing. I really dont see a difference because we all take the same exam. I mean why dont we just be a BSN after the nclex. I know folks from a BSN program that didn't even pass their exam yet. My school passing rates are better than most 4 year colleges. I chose the ADN route so that i could make money and then go back if I choose to.

sosiouxme said:
An RN with only the "ADN" (which, by the way, is not considered a college degree) would make as much as someone with a BSN only if they hold the same position. However, most BSN's are hired at higher levels than the non-degreed RN's to begin with. With the ADN - you will almost never advance to the same level as someone with a BSN, or better, a Master's, can achieve.

ADN= associate DEGREE nursing from two year COLLEGE.....and yes, actually our ICU hires and pays BSN and ADNs equally. Perhaps you may advance eventually, but by the time you can, the ADN can earn their BSN@home for a fraction of the cost.....when I graduate this December from an ADN ill have ZERO student debt and am starting my BSN while getting an ICU job. Can you say the same?

This forum is ridiculous, RN vs BSN. I am going into an accelerated program at an community college in Michigan that happens to hold to highest board pass rate in the state of Michigan, and that is competing with MSU and UofM. I also know from holding a bachelors degree in Cardiac Rehab, most of the classes you take to obtain your degree are a joke. I will eventually get my BSN just because I know its something to put on a resume when another position opens with higher pay. I know of bridge programs offered only have a couple nursing courses, but I also know of associate nursing programs that don't require Pathophisiology as a prerequisite. I guess choosing a school and the way you spend your time learning to material and being successful at taking the boards is more important than arguing over RN vs BSN, becuase at the end you all hold the same title RN.

Wow...I've been following the thread. You really blew me away with this post...Thank you...

It is important to think about nursing as a profession and how we can contribute to its advancement... I wish you all success. Thanks again for your words of wisdom.

NightAngelle said:
I'm gonna take heat for this post...but it is all good...

I've been an ADN for eleven years. I've seen the threads on allnurses.com for years debating the validity of ADN vs. BSN. And for a long time, I've sided with the ADNs regarding "What's a BSN got to do with it?" Trust me, I shared that frustration.

I am enrolled in a RN-BSN program at Auburn University-Montgomery. The three semester program has a cute nickname..."Perspective Transformation Journey." And perspective changing it has been. Earlier, a poster mentioned that other "professions" require at best, a Bachelor's degree for entry level practice. That being said, in order to be taken seriously as a profession, we need to up the ante on our educational requirements to gain that said respect. It has nothing to do with "I've been a manager with my Associate's degree, and that's where I'm gonna stick it" mentality, or "I know LPNs that run circles around some of the RNs on our unit." Although this may be true, it does not hold weight for us as a PROFESSION.

My professor made a profound statement in class one day.."Anyone can train a monkey to be a nurse. But monkeys do not have multiple level critical thinking skils." Now, that being said, I reiterate I've been an ADN for eleven years. I am highly intelligent, and very technically sound, and can see sh*t hitting the fan hours before it comes (intuition). However, in just ONE SEMESTER, my horizons have been broadened. Just what does it mean to be a "nurse"? Most people describe us as "caring, compassionate, devoted, loving, blah, blah blah...". But who ever describes a nurse CONSISTENTLY as SMART, EDUCATED, etc...and why is it that when we show promise to people like our patients, they ask us why we didn't go to MEDICAL school??? One day, when we gain respect as a profession, our patients will say..."Wow..you are something else. NO WONDER YOU BECAME A NURSE."

The professional nurse does more than manage and think critically. He/she gives back to their community, they teach, they participate in forward moving legislation for our field, they contribute to evidence-based research, they participate ACTIVELY in their professional organizations, and they think OUTSIDE the box. If you are happy with being an ADN, and the shoe fits, by all means wear it. I've worn those shoes for ELEVEN YEARS. But I pat myself on the back for being open-minded and giving myself a chance to be a more well-rounded nurse who wants to be taken as seriously as she takes herself.

Check out the BSN in 10 initiative. Google it. People, there is a reason the Magnet movement exists. And it ain't all about YOU. It's about nursing- as a profession! When we stop looking at the BSN as a stepping stone to advanced practice nursing, and more like progression of our profession, our pay rates will change, our level or respect will change, we will get the legislation we need to end the nursing shortage, and maybe, just MAYBE, those little "naughty nurse outfits" will slowly fade into oblivion because we will be taken MORE SERIOUSLY!!

Specializes in Geriatric nursing.

I've been reading the thread and I've been on the fence until I read this post. I am an LVN that is currently enrolled in an LVN to BSN program in Houston. I have been an LVN since 2005 but I realized that I could not actualize all my dreams (like buying a house) without furthering my education.

I am not even going to open up the can of worms about LVNs because that is not what this thread is about. I encourage and commend anyone that goes to back school. Whether it is for LVN, ADN, BSN, MSN, or even APN. The common denominator here is the word NURSE. We ALL, regardless of our station (rank) on the unit provide and INVALUABLE service that is beyond measure. No school can teach us how to be compassionate, critical thinkers, and fierce advocates for our patients. Those are the things that make a good nurse regardless of degree.

Now, with that being said, I must say that being in BSN school for even one semester is an eye opener. We must be proactive and advocate for higher standards in our profession. This is not to snuff anyone out, but to secure our economic futures and those of nurses to come. If we are to be taken more serious as a profession then we must come to the table with a large and diverse body of knowledge. A minimum standard of education should be enforced. There is a reason why MAGNET exists in the 1st place. It is not to exclude anyone but it is a statement to that hospital's consumers that they operate with a higher level of service, broader clinical insight, and with forward moving professionals.

I am sorry if anyone takes offense. Just my little opinion.

NightAngelle said:
I'm gonna take heat for this post...but it is all good...

I've been an ADN for eleven years. I've seen the threads on allnurses.com for years debating the validity of ADN vs. BSN. And for a long time, I've sided with the ADNs regarding "What's a BSN got to do with it?" Trust me, I shared that frustration.

I am enrolled in a RN-BSN program at Auburn University-Montgomery. The three semester program has a cute nickname..."Perspective Transformation Journey." And perspective changing it has been. Earlier, a poster mentioned that other "professions" require at best, a Bachelor's degree for entry level practice. That being said, in order to be taken seriously as a profession, we need to up the ante on our educational requirements to gain that said respect. It has nothing to do with "I've been a manager with my Associate's degree, and that's where I'm gonna stick it" mentality, or "I know LPNs that run circles around some of the RNs on our unit." Although this may be true, it does not hold weight for us as a PROFESSION.

My professor made a profound statement in class one day.."Anyone can train a monkey to be a nurse. But monkeys do not have multiple level critical thinking skils." Now, that being said, I reiterate I've been an ADN for eleven years. I am highly intelligent, and very technically sound, and can see sh*t hitting the fan hours before it comes (intuition). However, in just ONE SEMESTER, my horizons have been broadened. Just what does it mean to be a "nurse"? Most people describe us as "caring, compassionate, devoted, loving, blah, blah blah...". But who ever describes a nurse CONSISTENTLY as SMART, EDUCATED, etc...and why is it that when we show promise to people like our patients, they ask us why we didn't go to MEDICAL school??? One day, when we gain respect as a profession, our patients will say..."Wow..you are something else. NO WONDER YOU BECAME A NURSE."

The professional nurse does more than manage and think critically. He/she gives back to their community, they teach, they participate in forward moving legislation for our field, they contribute to evidence-based research, they participate ACTIVELY in their professional organizations, and they think OUTSIDE the box. If you are happy with being an ADN, and the shoe fits, by all means wear it. I've worn those shoes for ELEVEN YEARS. But I pat myself on the back for being open-minded and giving myself a chance to be a more well-rounded nurse who wants to be taken as seriously as she takes herself.

Check out the BSN in 10 initiative. Google it. People, there is a reason the Magnet movement exists. And it ain't all about YOU. It's about nursing- as a profession! When we stop looking at the BSN as a stepping stone to advanced practice nursing, and more like progression of our profession, our pay rates will change, our level or respect will change, we will get the legislation we need to end the nursing shortage, and maybe, just MAYBE, those little "naughty nurse outfits" will slowly fade into oblivion because we will be taken MORE SERIOUSLY!!

.....

Unfortuntalely there is no difference in pay. We all take the same test therefore we all get the same pay. What they typically will pay for is experience. Most places will pay about 3% of the base rate.That's the standard in B'ham and Montgomery. Remember both places have had an influx of nurses because of hospital closures, so the competition for jobs is great and they aren't great paying jobs right now. Just remember, it will change.

Rachel:paw:

My goodness, we are supposed to take care of ill patients not to show them our Nursing Degree in a frame every time they came to the hospital, that's the reason we become nurses, to take good care of a human being no matter what if you have an ADN, BSN, MSN or a PhD or the President's sign in the Diploma. If you want become a Nurse just for a good salary or a great position behind a desk, I don't think that you are choosing the right job.

I graduated from an accredited university with an Associates degree. There was no difference in my pay and my co-workers who graduated with a Bachelors degree.

Same test, same job, same pay. If something different is being practiced, then Nursing management is promoting the same unfair treatment women experience in male dominated jobs.

If Nursing wants to be like a profession, there should be one standard path. For example, there is only one path to be a CPA; why not a RN?

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