Average Salary for ADN vs BSN

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I know this will vary greatly by region, but what is the average pay for an entry-level nurse (right out of school) with an Associates in Nursing versus a Bachelors in Nursing? Has anyone found that it has been difficult to find a job if you have an ADN? I'm trying to figure out the best educational path, while juggling a full-time job and small child.

Thanks!

Specializes in SICU, MICU, Med/Surg, ER, Private Duty.

i was an associates degree nurse, i just completed my BSN... and all i got is one dollar raise!!

the pay scale is not much different... and as for jobs.. the career outlook for RN with Associates are still good...

i advise anybody, go the associates, then get a job, let the hospital pay for the two year BSN program..

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I have an ADN the area where I live the pay is the same for entry level. Having a BSN is supposedly makes you better candidate for management. I am looking into earning a BSN on line but do not want a degree from Mickey Mouse U, does any one know an online program that employers would be impressed with. There are so many to choose from it will make your head spin

Uinversity of Illinois at Chicago has an online completion program:

UIC College of Nursing | Prospective Students

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Specializes in Community Health.

I completed an ADN in 1992. At the time, I had to work full time and go to school at night. It would have been nearly impossible to do the BSN right off the start for me. Our professors highly recommended going on for the BSN and there was an articulation agreement with a local university to accept all the credits. I started on a BSN the following year while working in Home Care. I realized that the community was my passion. I switched my major to a BS in Community Health Education. All the pre-requisites were the same and because of my nursing degree, I was able to have a few classes waived. I ended up graduating with 140 credits, but it was the best decision of my life. I am certified as a health educator and have worked in municipal and state Public Health departments also. If I decide to go further in my nursing education, I have to take only 3 classes to bridge into an MSN program at the university I graduated from. In fact, the 2 departments (Nursing and Community Health) work closely with each other. Sometimes, a student will decide he/she doesn't want to be a nurse during clinicals and switch to the community health education major. I think it all depends on your life situation and the area of practice you are most interested in, but getting a Bachelors degree in nursing or another health related field is a must after completing the associate's degree.

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I got my ADN to start...hopefully I will find a job that will help me get my BSN, eventually I want my MSN and possibly teaching after that. I just wish I was in a better position for finding a job right now.

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Specializes in M/S OPC Supervision Staffing.

In our hospital the starting pay is close 66k vs 68k (before differentials) however as you gain experience you will find that as a BSN you will make much more than the ADN. Top pay as a ASN is 88k while a BSN will make 117K. That is a very large incentive to continue on. We also get weekend diff's (25% for Saturday and 25% for Sunday).

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hi everybody, I am in first year of nursing program and i was wondering if there is a pay difference if you have some specialities like cardiac nurse or oncology nurse etc. or it is just the same for all the nurses. I have heard that the staff nurses get paid less than speciality nurses. just want to conform. If somebody can give me info on this I will appreciate that. Thanks,

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The hospital I'm starting at in August pays everyone, regardless of educational background, $44.85/hour for their first six months as an entry-level new grad.

After that six months, ADNs earn $47.12/hour and BSNs or MSNs get $48.32/hour. On a 36-hour a week schedule it's about a $2,200 dollar difference in gross annual income. My understanding though is that most hospitals in the area don't offer pay incentives for BSNs, and it's only a feather in your cap during the hiring process.

Hi, just curious, what state you live in because this pay scale seems to be really high for any state. I will be happy to work in that area:).

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4% more for the BSN entry level new grad nurse, or about 75 to 90 cents an hour more. This small amount of money turns people off. But one has to remember that's entry level...both are RNs passing the same NCLEX, so it's natural that at an entry level the salary should be similar.

The BSN is an investment in future opportunities down the line when one isn't an entry level nurse anymore and wants to move on.

Good point,

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Specializes in FNP.

We don't pay more for the BSN, but we don't hire diploma grads or ADNs at all. We do pay more for MSN, and specialty certification, but it is only a few dollars.

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In South Florida, the pay for ADN and BSN is the same. The rate goes up with years of experience. I had a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Health Administration before I went to nursing school. I went for the ADN-it was faster and had more clinical. I have been able to work as Supervisor and Director of Nursing using both. I was also accepted into an ARNP program as it is a ASN to MSN program. So I don't think the BSN is necessary.

s

Hello,

What school in South Florida did you obtain you ADN?

Thanks

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i agree, i just did a quick check on pub-med and cinahl. the studies say care is improved by more "rns". not bsn's over adn's. there were several studies that came to this conclusion. i will live the reference to one of the articles. go to www.pubmed.com to check for yourself. i wish people who made such statements actually checked for themselves. many just say thats what studies say, but they have never read the study themselves.

it is all about having quality rn's at the bedside. most of the articles suggested finding the right mix of nurse tech, lpn, and rn. those that had more rn's had better patient outcomes. most of these seemed to refer to icu settings, not ltc. don't want to downplay the role of good lpns and techs, they are extremely important too.

j nurs educ. 2008 apr;47(4):149-56.

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