"Don't waste your time getting your BSN..."

amzyRN · Jan 16, 2008

Out here in the bay area, CA, some hospitals offer a 1.5 dollar increase in pay per hour for BSNs.

And I don't think that BSN programs are necessarily deficient as compared to ADN programs and yes they may be more expensive, but not any less in regards to clinical prep and science training.

And the way our society is, here in the US, a person with a bachelors degree will be more highly regarded, even if their education is not any better than a person without a degree. That's just how things are, so why be so adamant in not getting a bachelors degree? It's a bachelors degree and doesn't take much more time than an ADN.

And that extra expensive year or two is worth every last penny, because in general having a bachelors degree, if you want to switch out of bedside nursing or nursing in general and pursue a different path, it allows that possibility.

I worked very hard for my first bachelors degree and now that I have it, I'm so relieved because I can do so much with it. It's absolutely awesome!!!

Now I'm getting a very expensive (yes, a little too expensive) BSN but I'm doing it anyway because it is the fastest route to my RN.

Then I'll have 2 bachelors degrees! Yes 2 and I'll love the 2nd one just as much as the first!

Then I'll get a masters degree and maybe a doctoral degree, but at least a masters degree!!

I think all smart people should get at least one bachelors degree, because you will have more influence and choice in our society.

J

miss60b · Feb 5, 2009

ADN vs. BSN could debate to the very end.

Education is always good like they say knowledge is power. But the truth is and I have been asked this questioned many times before;Why get a BSN if you can get an ADN faster and for less money? You' re still an RN right what's the difference?. Someone pointed out that a pharmacist or PT had doctorate level programs true but they have no choice about which programs they could take also look at the salary scale for these professions. A nurse my get a phd or a masters and make they same amt. of money as the adn or bsn prepared nurse where is the incentive. While money is not everything it does play its part. The average person does not know the difference between a hha,cna,lpn,rn to them we are all nurses. IMHO experience beats a degree any day as well as who you know. Do you need to have a BSN to get non-clinical jobs ? no Will it probaly help? maybe. Like many people said before alot of nursing is learned on the job. So experience plays a major role in the type of positons that may be available to you in the future not neccasirily the degree. Who knows maybe in many, many years to come the entry level for nursing may be become an MSN. Ex;I remember when the PA used to be a certificate program.

teiladay · Feb 10, 2009

ADN vs. BSN could debate to the very end.
Education is always good like they say knowledge is power. But the truth is and I have been asked this questioned many times before;Why get a BSN if you can get an ADN faster and for less money? You' re still an RN right what's the difference?. Someone pointed out that a pharmacist or PT had doctorate level programs true but they have no choice about which programs they could take also look at the salary scale for these professions. A nurse my get a phd or a masters and make they same amt. of money as the adn or bsn prepared nurse where is the incentive. While money is not everything it does play its part. The average person does not know the difference between a hha,cna,lpn,rn to them we are all nurses. IMHO experience beats a degree any day as well as who you know. Do you need to have a BSN to get non-clinical jobs ? no Will it probaly help? maybe. Like many people said before alot of nursing is learned on the job. So experience plays a major role in the type of positons that may be available to you in the future not neccasirily the degree. Who knows maybe in many, many years to come the entry level for nursing may be become an MSN. Ex;I remember when the PA used to be a certificate program.

Let's look at it from a very practical stand point :)

1. Military? Basically, if you want to be an *active duty* military nurse, you have to have your BSN period. Now let's take the pay of an civilian RN who's been on the job for 5-10 years, and compare it to an 0-4 (Major) who's been working as an RN for the same length of time. The BSN grad in 3 years active duty will make as much (or more) than a significant number of NPs.

2. Civilian? Let's say that you want to apply to CRNA school... It is the rule (rather than the exception) that a nurse have a BSN as part of his/her application packet.

3. What about Doctorate of Nursing programs? ... I haven't looked in the last few months but the *trend* (exceptions always exist) seemed to be that if you didn't have a BSN or MSN... forget it... or more like "don't even think about it."

.. and when it comes to pay, with very few exceptions, education will virtually always trump experience if you're trying to secure traditional employment. The tougher the program, generally speaking the higher the pay.

Pay? Which generally makes more? (mentally correct & compensate for geographic locales.. we're being general here.)

CNA compared to: LVN

LVN compared to: RN

RN (2 year/diploma) compared to: RN (bsn/patient admin, etc.. many positions seem to require BSN or higher)

RN (bsn/undergrad) compared to: NP or PA (a masters degree/masters level program)

RN (crna/masters program) compared to: Anesthesiologist (undergrad, med school, intern, residency, fellowship, etc..)

Anesthesiologist compared to Orthopedic, Neuro, or Cardio

It is plain to me that the level of education is most often directly tethered to what type of paycheck you can expect. Obviously the difference between a LVN and 2 year RN might not be that great in many locales- however, the difference between a 2 year RN and a cardio NP (crit care) can realistically be $30,000 per annum different. However, the difference in pay between a BSN grad in management, with a degree in Finance/management compared to a Cardio NP, is likely to be less of such a wide divide.

I respectfully think that if a nurse (male or female) has a family and is trying to find much better paying jobs in the field, they'd have to be a nut not to have at least a Masters for the sake of better options. :)

Best to everyone

Teila K. Day

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2009

I'm an ADN. Unclear about my long term goals still, but doing some research in here and on my own.

A BSN is the least I will accept from myself, whether I remain bedside or not. Thats just me, for me.

A BSN is not a complete waste. Maybe in the past, with a better economy, it didnt matter so much. I'd be willing to bet a lot of people with ADN/diploma would like to have their BSN right now with the economy bad though.

The number of jobs open to BSN and not ADN is, truthfully, not that many. Hospitals looking for magnet status will hire a BSN first. A lot of critical care units and the OR will take BSN first, but not all of them. If the charge nurse position is a permanent position (rather than just picking someone each shift to do it), they like BSN for that usually too.

Like I said, when the economy was good, no one cared. But, with jobs becoming hard to come by, I dont doubt a few people have changed their minds on the value of a BSN.

jagsterr · Feb 14, 2009

I'm hearing that one should get the BSN to get paid more, and others tell me that is not true. Clearly you need your BSN if you want to further your career and specialize, but maybe status comes into play for some people. But 50% of the people tell me the pay is the same, and 50% of the people tell me that BSN's get paid 50% more - who do you believe?

divagirl · Feb 14, 2009

When you apply for a job they tell you the salary differences. Or even you should try going to a job fair and see what they have to offer then you will know for sure. I live in NY so the current economy may affect people differently depending what state you live in. I think it is a hard to get a job now period but then I have friends who knew people and were able to get jobs right away while others still suffer.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2009

I'm hearing that one should get the BSN to get paid more, and others tell me that is not true. Clearly you need your BSN if you want to further your career and specialize, but maybe status comes into play for some people. But 50% of the people tell me the pay is the same, and 50% of the people tell me that BSN's get paid 50% more - who do you believe?

It varies from place to place. Some pay a small differential for the BSN for bedside nurses. To want to get a BSN soley because it pays more might not be wise, as experienced ADNs are doing very well financially. Get the BSN for the job opportunties it will provide along down the road such as in management, teaching, research, etc. etc.

For new grad entry level nurses, it makes sense that BSNs and ADNs are paid similarly, since they pass the same NCLEX RN and are performing the same job side by side. BSN's make higher salaries away from the bedside as they get experience and move on.

k-t-did · Feb 14, 2009

I think the current system works just fine.

Some people think a bachelor's degree is important. I do. If my child were leaving high school for nursing I would strongly push for a four year degree. I think it gives you a more well rounded education, with more electives, more theory, etc, and I think that has a lot of merit.

I already have two bachelor degrees. I don't need another one. I have the "college experience". I am enrolled in a 2 year ASN program, and that works best for me and my family.

So I think the options available to become and RN are wonderful and allow for more people with more diverse backgrounds to become nurses.

magnolia3957 · Feb 25, 2009

Associates Degree Nursing

and at my school is the 2 year RN program

caliotter3 · Feb 25, 2009

Getting the BSN early in one's career, if not at the beginning, helps to insure that one does not get caught up in any move by an employer to "upgrade" the qualifications of their employees. There have been reports of places that hire BSN nurses only. It would create a strain on individuals if this happens at an employer and then everyone who doesn't meet the requirement has a deadline to get the degree or lose their position. Of course, this is not the only reason to get the BSN, but it is a practical one.

newleaf2012 · Feb 26, 2009

everytime i read a adn vs bsn debate it reminds me of crabs in a bucket.

i think in all fairness there should be limits on the scope of practice for different degress..

maybe a Registered technical nurse can be a adn

and a Registered general nurse can be a bsn

magnolia3957 · Feb 26, 2009

that one went over my head...maybe we don't know enough about crabs here in the south---accept I like how they taste!