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

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I'm a 22yr old male and going into a two year rn degree. I've heard that the only main difference is promotions and such. I'm really just trying to get through school and get some decent money to pay off the debt, then go back and get my masters if i want? Any advice?

Of all the places that I have worked in Mississippi and Alabama, I do not know of any differences in pay for ADN or BSN. To tell you the truth, when I started nursing school, I really didn't know that there were any differences in 2 year or 4 year nurses. When I went through orientation at my first nursing job, they provided us with an NCLEX review course. I was amazed with the amount of knowledge that some of the ADN graduates had. Some things that I had never even heard of!! I think that the BSN program I attended did focus more on research, management, etc. Good for everyone to have, but definately does not make you a good nurse. No amount of formal education can make you a good nurse. What makes a good nurse all heart, determination, patience, lessons learned from experience.

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Specializes in RN.

My work pays a 3% difference for BSN over ADN with a $1000 more sign on bonus. For some of us the 4 year program is out of reach for the moment and we need to get our foot in the door working and then go back for a BSN degree that can be done in conjunction with work. That'"s what I"m doing, that way I can pay my bills, feed my family and still get what I want. It seems to be working for me. May have been the longer road but it worked in the end.:heartbeat

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This again? Not true. The state sets the number of clinical hours required in order to graduate and sit for the NCLEX. All prgrams ASN or BSN are required to comply. Having been a nurse in two cities known for their academic programs and speaking to many grads and students alike I can say with confidence that the differences in clinical hours are marginal. My accelerated BSN actually required 200 more hours than the ASN programs in my area. Also, individual managers may prefer to hire ASN grads however many places prefer to hire BSNs as an institutional policy. While the reasoning may be somewhat nefarious (boosting their stats for Magnet recognition, etc), it is still a fact that having the BSN will get you into these places a little easier (or at least help in getting your preferred position). I just wish they would actually reflect this in the pay.

Well I would hope that your "Accelerated BSN program" requires a lot more hours than an associates degree program- after all you are getting a bachelors degree out of it!! I'm glad for you as well as others who have gotten their BSN, I'm just telling you what I have heard over and over again- a BSN makes you no more prepared to care for patients than an associates degree in nursing does!! The extra classes in research, management, etc have nothing to do with the actual care you provide at the bedside. Trust me, a good nurse is a good nurse. The patient could care less whether you have a BSN or ADN, as long as you care for them in a compassionate and competent way, that is all that matters!! The particular associates degree program I went through was extremely intense- and the outside clinical paperwork/research in addition to the classwork has not compared to any other program that I have come across yet- but then again, our program has a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX too!

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Do you feel you are smarter than the RN who has ADN degree. Not even, I have worked side by side with those who know only enough to fill out the paper work but when it comes to critcal thinking and the most bedside care who do you think will win? If that is the case why then are there MD's who are not qualified by experience to hold that title.They were smart enough to pass the Boards but when it come to taking care of patients , oh my goodness.

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Here is a list of studies that suggest a significant relationship between level of nursing education, specifically baccalaureate education, and the quality of patient care and safety.

One of them, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that patients have "a significant surgical advantage" when cared for in hospitals with a high proportion of nurses with education at the baccalaureate level and above.

Another concluded that ADN and diploma nurses "developed stronger professional-level skills" and "demonstrated higher competency in nursing practice" after completing BSN programs.

I don't expect anyone to agree with all of these findings, and I know there will be strong opinions. Are there studies that demonstrate that baccalaureate education does not have a positive impact? That there is no difference in patient outcomes when people are cared for by nurses with more or less education? If you contest the studies mentioned above, I hope you will do so by citing specific references or offering links. That could make this an interesting and productive discussion for all.

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Thiry Five Cents an Hour.

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Specializes in Oncology, Research.
Well I would hope that your "accelerated BSN program" requires a lot more hours than an associates degree program- after all you are getting a bachelors degree out of it!! I'm glad for you as well as others who have gotten their BSN, I'm just telling you what I have heard over and over again- a BSN makes you no more prepared to care for patients than an associates degree in nursing does!! The extra classes in research, management, etc have nothing to do with the actual care you provide at the bedside. Trust me, a good nurse is a good nurse. The patient could care less whether you have a BSN or ADN, as long as you care for them in a compassionate and competent way, that is all that matters!! The particular associates degree program I went through was extremely intense- and the outside clinical paperwork/research in addition to the classwork has not compared to any other program that I have come across yet- but then again, our program has a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX too!

I was referring to the number of clinical hours required to complete the program, not credit hours. And I agree with you, my clinical skills are no stronger than ASN prepared nurses. But I do not agree in any way, shape or form that an ASNs skills are any better than mine. You are as good skill-wise as the effort you put into the learning process. I will say that training in research, etc does make a difference. It makes a difference when it comes to being proficient at finding and implementing new evidence based procedures, protocols, etc. Regardless, the argument is somewhat off topic. To answer the original question I made 25 cents more being BSN prepared. Nothing to write home about. However, it set me up to be where I am today. Yep, I am another one of those BSNs who fled the bedside.

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Do you feel you are smarter than the RN who has ADN degree. Not even, I have worked side by side with those who know only enough to fill out the paper work but when it comes to critcal thinking and the most bedside care who do you think will win? If that is the case why then are there MD's who are not qualified by experience to hold that title.They were smart enough to pass the Boards but when it come to taking care of patients , oh my goodness.

I couldn't quite tell if you were responding to my post or not, and had a little difficulty following your post. Your thoughts were a little unclear, couldn't tell if you have a BSN or an ADN, and your "point" wasn't very clear. Can you elaborate a little?

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I was referring to the number of clinical hours required to complete the program, not credit hours. And I agree with you, my clinical skills are no stronger than ASN prepared nurses. But I do not agree in any way, shape or form that an ASNs skills are any better than mine. You are as good skill-wise as the effort you put into the learning process. I will say that training in research, etc does make a difference. It makes a difference when it comes to being proficient at finding and implementing new evidence based procedures, protocols, etc. Regardless, the argument is somewhat off topic. To answer the original question I made 25 cents more being BSN prepared. Nothing to write home about. However, it set me up to be where I am today. Yep, I am another one of those BSNs who fled the bedside.

I am completely aware that you were referring to the number of clinical hours required for the program and not credit hours and once again, I would hope that it would be more considering it is a bachelors program. Sorry, but as far as bedside nursing, it does not matter if you have a BSN or not. You need to provide competent care, know when you need to ask questions, do thorough assessments, have compassion for both the patient and the family and be the best advocate for your patient that you can possibly be. If I ever want to leave the bedside and pursue a different type of job, then I might consider going back for my BSN, but until then, I'm quite happy to be an ADN, and feel my patient's will be lucky to have me!!

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Specializes in Rehab/Short-term,retired military medic.

At my facility, there is no difference either. I just have an ADN and i actually make more money than my BSN friend because I had 20 yrs of healthcare experience (not nursing) and she had none. While good for me, what is the incentive to get a BSN if the facility gives you maybe .50 more an hour. To me, it's not worth it.....unless I want to go into management....or just personal gratification.

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My aunt is a charge nurse (who only has her ADN) at a very prestigious geriatric hospital in SF, CA. She told me that unless you will be using your BSN degree for Admin work, a BSN and ADN pay doesnt differ very much. Its about the experience!

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I was an ADN RN who went back to school for the BSN. I learned absolutely nothing in the BSN program that made a difference to my bedside nursing. Management pushes you to go back to school and get the BSN. They want you to get all of these certifications that they will only pay for the initial test. Recert is out of your pocket as well as the extra CEU's you need to keep your certification active. They do not reward you will a higher wage or even respect. They want the trophy on their wall so they can say....."Our nurses have higher degrees and our nurses are certified." So what? It does not make you a better nurse. Actually, the ADN nurses get more bedside clinical experience than the BSN programs where I live.

My suggestion........if you really want a higher degree go from RN to MSN. That will open a lot more doors than the BSN. It is almost a waste of time unless you are doing it for your own personal satisfaction.

At the facility where I work it doesn't matter what your degree might be. If they want you in a job (personal preferences and who they can get along with or who they can manipulate the easiest) then you will get the job it does not matter what degree you hold. This was evident recently when a management and supervisory position was given to ADN nurses and the nurses with BSN's and supervisory experience were passed up because the person doing the hiring didn't like them. I think that goes on a lot.

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