High pay, no degree required!

Thanks for clarifying TheCommuter. I actually thought the RN diploma programs were long gone. I had no idea they still existed. Anyway, as you stated, it was the title that kind of threw me off.

I think that the majority of the public has no idea what a nurse does or what it takes to become a nurse (Honestly, I didn't until I went through NS). I would venture to guess that a good portion of the public thinks that the person who takes your BP at their doctor's office is a "nurse" rather than an MA. And, some MA's even misrepresent themselves as nurses. Add this to the fact that there are so many pathways to becoming a "nurse"....diploma, ADN, BSN, RN, LVN, LPN, etc. No wonder the public is confused.

It does bother me too. Before I went to NS, I was in a computer programming degree program. I must say that I worked harder, was more stressed, was busier in NS than I ever was in computer science. I wish the public was aware of how difficult it is to become a nurse and all the duties we must juggle. All the more reason for nurses to band together and insist on consistent educational standards for becoming a nurse.

T

In addition, California allows LVNs/LPNs to complete a terminal 30-unit non-degree option that deems them eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and results in limited RN licensure that can never be endorsed into any other state. This is another way for a person to earn an RN license without an actual degree.

My understanding is that they can get their LVN not their RN....

Here's where our professional-organization-of-choice (ANA?) dues could be put to good use. Educate the public about what NS really involves, what your specialty nurses really learn to get where they are, the whole shootin' match.

Once the general public has an accurate idea of what we really do, really know, I would like to dream/hope that our pay would have a chance of reflecting that info.

I know, it's a nice dream....

My understanding is that they can get their LVN not their RN....

Actually in California this is a method for LVN's to get their RN.

It is a 30 unit option where an LVN must take micro, anatomy and physiology then is able to complete the required nursing units which allows them to take Boards in California. It is not accepted in any other state.

As one can see, even nurses are confused about the different ways people can become RNs....

Wish it was a little more streamlined. The degrees should be acknowledged, but it does make it confusing...

LVN to RN

Associate's degree RN

BSN

Entry level Masters

Yes they're all different, but they all do the same thing.

Well I just spent a whole lot of money for a non-degree. I wonder what they consider a AS or a BS? Associate of Science in Nothing a Bachelor of Science in Nothing....

The RN-diploma career pathway involves earning a diploma, not a college degree. Technically, this is one of the only ways to become an RN without attaining a degree. I shall also add that the diploma option is rapidly disappearing.

In addition, California allows LVNs/LPNs to complete a terminal 30-unit non-degree option that deems them eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and results in limited RN licensure that can never be endorsed into any other state. This is another way for a person to earn an RN license without an actual degree.

However, I do not like the undertones of these types of articles. A few years ago, a Tennessee politician was saying something akin to, "You can get your RN without a college degree! Anyone who works hard can get their RN!"

Back in the day that we had good diploma programs they were condidered a degree. Why do people get so caught up on words and titles. We took the same state boards as everyone else did. We have the same knowledge base as the "degree" schools. I have noticed however, that there are many "degree" programs that are doing " fast track" RN degrees. Funny, when you really look at them they are the old " Diploma" programs. We went 1 quarter short of 4 years. We didn't get summers off.

I never understood the whole diploma option anyway. As soon as I graduated from HS (1988), I was accepted into a 3 year diploma RN program. We had to take all the courses that ADN nurses got, only our RN track took 3 years instead of two...and we got no degree, just our diploma. It sucked. It was intended to spur us on to get our BSN with only a few courses remaining, but when only 18 graduate out of 122....

Anyway, I only lasted a year.

Who cares? A degree doesn't mean much to me these days. I did the certificate option, and could have gotten an Associates if I took a couple of classes in Multiculturalism and some other garbage. If that's what differentiates an RN with a certificate from an RN with an Associates, it's not that much of a distinction.

The difference between my certificate and a BSN is essentially two chemistry classes and a bunch of garbage. That's another one that doesn't mean much to me.

Nevertheless, I'm going on to get my Masters because that's the only way I can become a FNP, or a psych NP, either one of which would satisfy me professionally. From what I've heard, a lot of the classes for the Masters aren't going to help me much in my job as either a psych NP or a FNP...

I know a lot of people who make tons of money in things that don't require a degree. I dunno. In the end, I don't see why it matters whether nurses are required to have a degree.

So the headline says no degree required, but when you read the article, it says no ADVANCED degree required. Hmmm... rather lousy headline writing and very deceptive. Also, when one tries to find "Grace Chen" of "Findtherightschool.com" there is no such person at said website. Again, pretty bogus. But then again, it's really an advertisement for Yahoo HotJobs, and not meant to be news.

So they're saying no "advanced" degree required. But I know very few RNs, BSNs, LPNs, etc that are earning in excess of $100K. And in the article itself it says that the San Jose nurses are earning $95K. That is NOT in excess of $100K. Nor is it the norm... San Jose nurses may be making that kind of money, but I'm guessing it's not all of them, and I'm betting their cost of living is quite a bit more than my cost of living here in Louisville, KY.

Is nursing education a good investment? Sure it is. But the problem with this kind of article being on the front page of Yahoo! is that people with limited knowledge are going to come into my ER and assume that because I'm the nurse I'm making $60K or $100K, which I am not.