How much difference in pay do two year rn's get than four yr??

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2008

I think the general public in the USA thinks a RN means at least a Bachelors if not a Masters degree.

Seventy (70) percent of all RNs in America are educated at the associate degree level. Two (2) percent of all RNs in America are educated at the master's degree level.

There are 3 points of entry to becoming an RN: the bachelor of science degree, the diploma, and the associate degree.

*ac* · Mar 27, 2008

Seventy (70) percent of all RNs in America are educated at the associate degree level. Two (2) percent of all RNs in America are educated at the master's degree level.
There are 3 points of entry to becoming an RN: the bachelor of science degree, the diploma, and the associate degree.

There are actually 4 points of entry: The direct-entry MSN (CNL, not NP).

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2008

Really? Because it's been my experience that the general public does not have a CLUE what being a nurse entails at all, nor that there is a difference between a LPN and an RN.

At all of the healthcare facilities where I've ever been employed, any person whe wears scrubs is referred to as "nurse," even though they might be housekeeping staff or an occupational therapy aide.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2008

There are actually 4 points of entry: The direct-entry MSN (CNL, not NP).

Thanks for the correction! :)

lindarn · Mar 27, 2008

Really? Because it's been my experience that the general public does not have a CLUE what being a nurse entails at all, nor that there is a difference between a LPN and an RN.

Maybe its about time that we educated them what the differances is. Maybe then we would get a little more respect from everyone.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

rsalas558 · Mar 27, 2008

Why is the attitude that a BSN is earned only if you want to go into management, the military, etc. No one encourages BSNs to ask for a higher starting wage to reward the higher edication (and in fact, most nurses resent that BSNs want to be paid more). Are our patients not deserving of health care provider who has a four year college degree? Would you accept teachers for your children who only had an Associates Degree in Teaching? Or a three year diploma in teaching? Or a one year, "Licensed Practical/Vocational Teacher?
Why do nurses continue to propagate the myth that a BSN is only if you want to work away from the bedside, or direct patient care? Why do nurses not encourage young men and women to earn a BSN from the get go, and not do the "slow boat to china" route to become RNs? It has been our down fall that we do not insist that a BSN is the entry into practice. Other health care professionals have moved on, and are now light years ahead of us, in terms of education, control of their profession, and have the respect of other members of the health care team. They are not caught up in "shoud I get a Bachelors Degree, or should I go the shorter route and hope that I will be in a position to earn the higher degree when I am in a differant station in my life- married, kids, etc.
We continue to exert much more energy to only chase our tails to try to get where we want/need to be. Twenty years ago, when DRGs became the rule in hospitals, other health care professions increased their level of education, mainained control or their profession, and are now sitting pretty, compared to nursing. How did they accomplish this? Their educational insitutions re-assed what to teach in their programs, and added the business classes that were needed to survive in this new era of health care.
Nurses is not even to first base, and we will continue to suffer the consequences until we do. JMHO, and my NY $0.02.
Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN
Spokane, washington

A BSN only means you finished the "REQUIREMENTS" deamed necessary to acquire a BSN degree. IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT NURSE IS A BETTER NURSE" I've worked with many BSN degree RNs who just happened to be good nurses "in theory" but do nothing to advance their performance, update their "applied skills", or demonstrate TRUE knowledge in the areas they work in. An RN is only as good as or as knowledgeable as they WANT to be because learning doesn't stop with completing a 4 year degree program. So I take offense as a 2year degree RN when you imply that pts. some how get a "lesser" nurse.

Nacki, MSN, NP · Mar 28, 2008

As an Associate degree trained nurse I get compensated well. I don't think someone with a BSN is a better nurse than I because I have had numerous years at the bedside considering I was a LPN before hand. Although I am working towards my BSN only to get to CRNA school. BSN is just a stepping stone for me.

anc33 · Mar 28, 2008

ASNs and BSNs have similar nursing training with BSNs having some addition coursework in research and public health. Since the core is the same, hospitals usually only pay.50 or .75, if that, more for BSNs. However, having the BSN does open some doors for you. For example, the VA hospital in my area is moving towards only hiring BSNs now. In addition there are other (non-management) jobs that prefer or require the BSN. I work as a research coordinator and I know that the majority of research organizations will not even consider applicants who do not have at least a BSN.

Freedom42 · Mar 28, 2008

The differences between the BSN and ADN programs are more than just research and public health. BSNs here are required to complete statistics, pathophysiology, ethics, and a full semester of pharmacology (which the ADN programs here do not offer). We also have to take a course on care of the older adult that is in addition to med-surg. And of course there are all the other baccalaureate degree programs.

Is the BSN a better nurse than the ADN? Not necessarily. But she is better educated, and ultimately she has more job options. What we really ought to be talking about is why hospitals don't offer better pay for that better education. And the answer is: Because if they did, many nurses would go back to school to boost their credentials -- and then salary expenses would go up.

ChanceORiley27 · Mar 28, 2008

Is the BSN a better nurse than the ADN? Not necessarily. But she is better educated, and ultimately she has more job options. What we really ought to be talking about is why hospitals don't offer better pay for that better education. And the answer is: Because if they did, many nurses would go back to school to boost their credentials -- and then salary expenses would go up.

I agree - I'm an LPN currently and I've started the long process of obtained my BSN. I don't think BSN nurses are better than a ADN, but I do think that they should make more - if nothing else then to help compensate for the expense of a longer education.

A BSN is not about earning more money is about choices. The power to have any nursing career available to you. No one will be able to tell me that my education is what is holding me back. I am very proud to be going for my BSN and I did recieve pressure from my friends and co-workers that are trying to obtain their ADN.

They are correct - they will be RN's before I will, but I will not have to worry later on as to whether or not I will have to go back to school (unless I want my MSN).

Not to mention that some RN programs in my area charge outrageous amount of money for there 2yr program. There is one in Indianapolis, IN that charges 40,000 for there 2yr RN program. IUPUI 4yr program only cost 25-30 grand. What's with that?

anc33 · Mar 28, 2008

The ASN programs in my area require their students to take pharm, patho and ethics. Statistics is part of the general education requirement that fits into the pre-nursing curriculum at many schools.

hikernurse · Mar 28, 2008

would you accept teachers for your children who only had an associates degree in teaching? or a three year diploma in teaching? or a one year, "licensed practical/vocational teacher?
lindarn, rn, bsn, ccrn
spokane, washington

actually, i would accept that. if a teacher spent three years focusing on learning how to teach, that teacher would probably be pretty prepared to teach. i have a lot of teachers in my family (most with master degrees) and like nurses, a lot of their learning is on the job. this is not to undermine education, i too think that bsn should be the entry level, but i don't think adn nurses (of which i am one) are less prepared to be good nurses. in fact, the cc i went to has better first-time nclex pass rates than the several highly-ranked universities. and the adn students, because of the focus on clinical work, tend to be better prepared to jump in and work; this levels out after the first year.

the differences between the bsn and adn programs are more than just research and public health. bsns here are required to complete statistics, pathophysiology, ethics, and a full semester of pharmacology (which the adn programs here do not offer). we also have to take a course on care of the older adult that is in addition to med-surg. and of course there are all the other baccalaureate degree programs.

in my adn program we did take pathophysiology, ethics and 2 semesters of pharm. we were strongly encouraged to finish our general ed classes which would include stats--and as much as i didn't particularly like that class, i do think it is a good class to take. we didn't take a class on the older adult, but in the bsn program i just applied to, that isn't required either :rolleyes: .

yep, i think any higher education that pertains to nursing should result in higher pay. but, i don't see that happening any time soon. i don't think adn nurses are any less prepared to hit the floor than bsn.