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

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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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?

Specializes in LTC.

So Ive been reading through this post, just to get some different views on becoming a RN. Im an LPN and have been for about a year. I must say in the most respectable way, alot of people seem to be missing the bigger picture. I think alot of people need to come down off there high horse and fast. You are NOT by any means a better nurse because you have more education. The Rns I work with right now, suck. Not because they are RNs or because they only have ADs, just because of who they are as people. If you are truely a nurse for the right reasons, you are a nurse before you even start school. Being a nurse is the love of my life, along with my son. I went to school for a year. Yep thats right. ONLY a year. I also only have a year exp. GASP! But I bet if you ask my residents who takes the best care of them, they will say me or one of my A+ STNAs. So many people talk about Doctors and people not respecting nurses. Why should they, most nurses dont respect the ones "under" them. I could care less what your education level was if you were taking care of my loved one the right way. Im going back to school to be able to work more closely in pediatrics. Not for the pay, not for the credentials. I think some people really need to evaluate why they became a nurse in the first place. If you can lay your head on your pillow at night and know that you may have possibly changed a life or just put a smile on someones face, then kudos to you. If you lay your head on your pillow at night and see dollar signs, please get a new career. :nono:

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So Ive been reading through this post, just to get some different views on becoming a RN. Im an LPN and have been for about a year. I must say in the most respectable way, alot of people seem to be missing the bigger picture. I think alot of people need to come down off there high horse and fast. You are NOT by any means a better nurse because you have more education. The Rns I work with right now, suck. Not because they are RNs or because they only have ADs, just because of who they are as people. If you are truely a nurse for the right reasons, you are a nurse before you even start school. Being a nurse is the love of my life, along with my son. I went to school for a year. Yep thats right. ONLY a year. I also only have a year exp. GASP! But I bet if you ask my residents who takes the best care of them, they will say me or one of my A+ STNAs. So many people talk about Doctors and people not respecting nurses. Why should they, most nurses dont respect the ones "under" them. I could care less what your education level was if you were taking care of my loved one the right way. Im going back to school to be able to work more closely in pediatrics. Not for the pay, not for the credentials. I think some people really need to evaluate why they became a nurse in the first place. If you can lay your head on your pillow at night and know that you may have possibly changed a life or just put a smile on someones face, then kudos to you. If you lay your head on your pillow at night and see dollar signs, please get a new career. :nono:

Very well said! I appreciate your post!

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Specializes in 30 years IV Nurse.
As one poster has already noted, the NCLEX is only one indicator of minimum competency. Of course you would expect most candidates to pass (although, according to the organization that develops the test, most of those who pass only answer about 50 percent of the questions correctly). It's also important to note that the test does not measure all of the skills or knowledge taught at the baccalaureate level.

When I took my boards they were just that State boards, everyone took the same test. 5 sections of 250 questions per section. You had to get a passing sore in each section to pass, if you failed on section you had to repeat the test. It has been 30 years but if I remember correctly the 5 sections were: OB, Peds, Medical, Surgical, and General nursing. The test took 2 full days to complete and then you waited 2 months for the results. All of you who take the NCLEX are lucky and I bet a lot of you would not pass the old Ohio State boards.

Yes, the BSNs and the ADN took the same test. Like I stated earlier I am a ADN who went back to school for a BSN.

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Specializes in ICU,ED (intern).

I defenitely agree with a majority of the text written by NursePeace, and defenitely in regards to education level not making the nurse. The one thing I have always differed in opinion on is why people should become nurses, or that only those with specific motivations make good nurses.

My instructors have always preached to us that the only good nurses are the ones who become nurses because they have "a calling". Personally I wanted to become a nurse because I feel I will be very good at it given my skill set, and I feel I can make a positive contribution to society. Would I pursue a career in nursing if I could only make ten dollars an hour doing it, No. There are people that would still do it if the pay was minimum wage, and still others that would do it for free. These people are happy with thier work and maybe even more likely to be good at it. But I do know people that became nurses for the money and are very good nurses (yes I know this is illogical). Specifically, I know an ICU nurse who takes pride in his work, is very skilled, cares for the welfare of his patients, and strives to better himself as a nurse. He is continually recieving accolades from his peers, supervisors, and patients. His main motivation is money (as he told me), and always has been. He said by being the best nurse he can he ensures optimum profit. This leads me to believe (further) that one can be a good nurse regardless of motivation (unless your motivation is to be a bad nurse! lol).

I also feel that the whole "calling" theory has been historically used to supress nurses by making them feel guilty when asking for appropraite pay for thier work. Nurses do a hard job that is much needed, there is no reason why you all should feel guilty when asking for compensation.

In the end I do not care why someone wanted to become a nurse, or where they went to school, as long as they are a good and honest nurse.

The only way we could really solve this debate would be to conduct a study to see if the level of care was affected by the nurses motivation for becoming a nurse, otherwise it is all heresay. Of course studies based upon disclosure of personal opinion are not very accurate (usually).

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Specializes in mental health, geriatrics, MS, TELE.

I understand your confusion. Believe me I started as an LPN due only to the fact that my husband was being transfered out of state and I did not want to live for 2 years alone. I finally decided to go back and get my ADN and have never been looked at like I was any different than the other nurses. I to had to pay off debt fast and now I am back at it and working towards my BSN. I work for the VA and after 2 years as an ADN you do not recieve promotions if you are not a BSN. At least they are paying for the BSN. I feel it is not fair to have to be forced to get my BSN, but I do think of it this way, I am a nurse, and always will be. I don't think of how much or how little I make, I think of my patients first. Believe me it is hard not to when you see them look at you when you tell them that they are back stateside and you are going to take care of them. Good luck in school, and when it gets rough just know we all went through the same thing. :nurse::redbeathe

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im getting my bsn and i hope to go into military or correctional nursing but if that wasnt my path i would do the adn

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Specializes in med-surg,ortho,ccu,trauma.

Hi

I guess it depends on where you work. Our hospital gives BSN nurses close to $5 per hour as part of the clinical ladder program. Forget about any upward mobility without it. Magnet hospitals really look for advanced degrees and may be looser with the purse strings

Good luck

Kitty63:banghead:

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Specializes in Med surg, Hospice, Geriatrics, AL, LTAC.

I have been a nurse for over 20 years. I have an Associate's degree and am currently working on the BSN. I have worked as a bedside nurse as well as serving in a management capacity. Over the years, I have worked in various areas of nursing ranging from Assisted Living to LTC to Acute care settings. It has always been my experience that the RN's salary is based on the longevity of the licensure. It is sad to say, but the BSN's working alongside of me currently have questioned my purpose in continuing my education, as they have told me that they are not making more $$$ because they have their BSN. My goal has always been to teach--which is one of the many reasons I am returning to academia- Good Luck to You Bigmac!

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can you go to rn without lpn lic?

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Specializes in acute care.

ooops, I "thanked" you by accident. Is your question "can you become an RN without being an LPN first?" If so, the answer is yes. This is the route that I am taking right now, and I am not an LPN.

can you go to rn without lpn lic?
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ooops, I "thanked" you by accident. Is your question "can you become an RN without being an LPN first?" If so, the answer is yes. This is the route that I am taking right now, and I am not an LPN.

finaly, I found something ....lol ok tell me more please.

but probably u have some nursing backround right?

I have a nursing dipl from my coutry and I end up in massage therapy in USA, I don't know how that happend :D

so tell me what I have to do, I'm all ears!!!

thank you :redpinkhe

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Specializes in acute care.

no, no background as a nurse. I have only been a nurse's assistant and home health aide. Honestly, I have no idea what you have to go through to get your license here (aside from going back to school and starting over here) but maybe you can contact you state board of nursing and ask what steps you need to take. Good Luck!

finaly, I found something ....lol ok tell me more please.

but probably u have some nursing backround right?

I have a nursing dipl from my coutry and I end up in massage therapy in USA, I don't know how that happend :D

so tell me what I have to do, I'm all ears!!!

thank you :redpinkhe

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