Do LPNs with bachelor's degrees make more $ ?

[mikeyk]

I thought this was interesting. Anyone notice this in practice? I wonder if having a bachelor's in an unrelated field for a new LPN/LVN would lead to better pay, or if these folks had some other health-care related degree.

I'm asking as someone with a BA in liberal arts, looking to get into nursing.

http://lpn.advanceweb.com/common/Editorial/PrintFriendly.aspx?CC=83114

Quote

EDUCATION

Perhaps LPNs are hoping that higher degrees will help boost pay. Results of our 2006 study show more LPNs are earning their associate's and bachelor's degrees than in previous years and, at least for those who earn their 4-year degree, the move is paying off.

In 2004, approximately 90 percent of all respondents had earned a PN diploma and no other degree. This year, that number has dropped dramatically — by 17 percent — to 73 percent overall. Twenty-one percent of our respondents said they have an associate's degree, while 6 percent have earned their bachelor's (up from 4 percent in 2004).

LPNs with a bachelor's make approximately $5,000 more than LPNs with a PN diploma. Also, the average salary for LPNs with bachelor's degrees has risen from $38,500 in 2004 to $44,000 this year.

However, the same can't be said for LPNs with associate's degrees, who actually make $3,000 less per year than LPNs with PN diplomas as the highest educational degree, according to our respondents.

[BigB]

Thanks for all the replies. I kinda figured those survey stats weren't telling the whole story.

My goal is to be an RN, but I'm keeping my options open considering the competition for spots, wait-lists, and high tuition. My prereqs. are ~10 years old, too. With the emerging online options, including options to test out of prereqs, I might be able to reach my goal of RN just as fast, and for around the same cost, with the LPN-RN route.

Regarding pre-reqs.. most the colleges in northern california have a 7 year limit on the science courses. I havent heard a limit on the other pre-reqs though. I have 5 of the 10 and my pschy is 9 years old. I hope there is no limit on the non science courses needed to get into RN school.

[mikeyk]

Regarding pre-reqs.. most the colleges in northern california have a 7 year limit on the science courses. I havent heard a limit on the other pre-reqs though. I have 5 of the 10 and my pschy is 9 years old. I hope there is no limit on the non science courses needed to get into RN school.

Seems like private schools might be more leinient on prereq age and test-out policies. I will probably will be leaving California soon. Maybe for NY or FL. One of my thoughts was to get an LPN and then be able to move wherever I had to for school.

[linzz]

Fiona 59 is right. Here in Canada, you won't get paid for $ as an LPN with a degree but it can open doors for you in jobs that are in other areas such as case management if you enjoy that type of thing. I did my degree many years ago but if I wanted to advance in nursing, I'd say you need a nursing degree or even a masters in nursing.

[Trophywife81]

Glad to see this thread...I have a BA in English/History, and am going back to school to become an LVN (with pre-reqs and wait lists, it would be over three years before I could be an ADN RN, so the LVN-to-RN route was definitely the way to go for me). Anyway, I will be making more money as a graduate of a one-year LVN program than I ever did with my four-year BA. Go figure. :)

[Brownms46]

Well, I have a friend who has been an LPN for over 30yrs, and went back and obtained a degree outside of nursing.

She is currently a director of case managementin AZ (not known for high pay), and is making well over$70,000, plus the facility paid her a sign on and relocation bonus! This is her second director position, and in this position she is building the department from scratch.

In fact she got her first director position just one week after she graduated with her degree, and immediately went from just under $50,000 to $65,000.

Now when I finish my degree, I will immediately gain at least a $15,000 raise no matter what I get the degree in.

[BigB]

Well, I have a friend who has been an LPN for over 30yrs, and went back and obtained a degree outside of nursing.

She is currently a director of case managementin AZ (not known for high pay), and is making well over$70,000, plus the facility paid her a sign on and relocation bonus! This is her second director position, and in this position she is building the department from scratch.

In fact she got her first director position just one week after she graduated with her degree, and immediately went from just under $50,000 to $65,000.

Now when I finish my degree, I will immediately gain at least a $15,000 raise no matter what I get the degree in.

Exactly why I am finishing mine up.

[horrorxgirl]

Well, I have a friend who has been an LPN for over 30yrs, and went back and obtained a degree outside of nursing.

She is currently a director of case managementin AZ (not known for high pay), and is making well over$70,000, plus the facility paid her a sign on and relocation bonus! This is her second director position, and in this position she is building the department from scratch.

In fact she got her first director position just one week after she graduated with her degree, and immediately went from just under $50,000 to $65,000.

Now when I finish my degree, I will immediately gain at least a $15,000 raise no matter what I get the degree in.

But like mentioned above, this is an administrative job. Working on the floor as an LPN will not get you any extra on your salary just because you have a Bachelor's. Once you take an administrative job you are no longer working as an LPN, even if you are one.

[BigB]

But like mentioned above, this is an administrative job. Working on the floor as an LPN will not get you any extra on your salary just because you have a Bachelor's. Once you take an administrative job you are no longer working as an LPN, even if you are one.

I would eagerly trade the bad shifts, hassle, stress, over worked - underpaid aspect of "working the floor" for a pay increase, stable hours, etc etc. The LVN opens doors and the B.S / B.A will open doors. It doesn't hurt to have both. I may become a nursing instructor down the line so having the B.S. will help.... although I would then go on to a Masters.

[BigB]

Seems like private schools might be more leinient on prereq age and test-out policies. I will probably will be leaving California soon. Maybe for NY or FL. One of my thoughts was to get an LPN and then be able to move wherever I had to for school.

Yes, the schools do vary in their acceptance of pre reqs.

[Brownms46]

I would eagerly trade the bad shifts, hassle, stress, over worked - underpaid aspect of "working the floor" for a pay increase, stable hours, etc etc. The LVN opens doors and the B.S / B.A will open doors. It doesn't hurt to have both. I may become a nursing instructor down the line so having the B.S. will help.... although I would then go on to a Masters.

Exactly Big B! Just because someone is not doing bedside care, does not mean they are not an LPN! There are many LPNs who do not work at the bedside, but are still LPNs, with a different job title. They may

work as telephone triage nurse, case manager, or as a physican's right hand making rounds for him, or in many other positions, that require them to be an LPN in order to work in the position.

They are no less than an LPN, than an RN is who is in administration. My friend's degree and her LPN experience helped her get the positions. Ex; As a director of case management, she must utilize her nursing experience to do assessments, and she must keep her LPN license current.

Plus if someone gets a degree in any kind of work that does not increase their knowledge in the position their in, would they get more money? Let's say a GP (general practitioner) gets an IT degree, do you think he could increase his fees because of this degree? Let's say he decides to secure a position in IT. Is he still a doctor??

[Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have a Bachelor's degree in English, I have an LPN and am now in an LPN-RN program. The Bachelor's degree was sort of a curiosity at interviews and they all asked, don't you want to teach? No, only your nursing education level and experience seem to count towards $$$$.