I have an ADN and I work in rural home health in Louisiana and I make $28/hr+.45 a mile. I was offered a job at a hospital in Shreveport for $23/hr. and from what I am hearing that is about the going rate. They do offer that tuition reimbursement but told me that the BSN pays no more per hour than the ADN. I do not like 12 hour shifts, so I would like to stay in home health so I am wondering if this is worth it? I am going to school now busting my rump and it cost $4200 per semester. My job will not pay for it, nor will they give me a raise for it. Everyone I work with who has their BSN says they wish they hadn't taken out loans for it (which I haven't) and the head of the company has her ADN and makes 6 figures. Idk. I just need some advice really. Its SO expensive. I keep hearing if I want a job in administration then I need it or my MSN... What is administration exactly? My boss has only an ADN. Most of the higher ups at my company (which is very large serving 2 states) has only an ADN. I don't want to pay all this money getting my masters to become a nursing instructor making only $40K per year. I work with a nursing instructor at a great college who works with us part time to make ends meet. Why am I doing this if it isn't going to pay? Is the BSN mainly an urban requirement? It was drilled in our heads that we need our BSN and then I get out and nobody of high rank in this area has one. Can someone clue me in? This tuition is killing me.
BSNbeauty, BSN, RN 1 Article; 1,939 Posts Sep 23, 2013 I feel the same way about my BSN. I don't want to work anywhere else at the time except bedside. I don't see why the heck I need a BSN. I'm in the BSN program now and it really is a wast of time and money IMO. Maybe I'm just annoyed with school right now. I'm sure it'll pay off in the long run though.
cassie77775 175 Posts Sep 23, 2013 I wonder if it's just that area? I went to school in Louisiana(latech) and a lot of the nurses I worked with were adn. But I relocated and around here, you are expected to get your bsn as a requirement toKeep your job. Some hospitals won't even hire you here without the bsn.
ukjenn231 228 Posts Sep 24, 2013 It is becoming a requirement by some accrediting agencies, especially Magnet, that a certain percentage of nurses have their BSN by 2020. That is why you are seeing it as a requirement anymore. Our hospital is mandating you have to start your BSN or get a certification within the next three years. It will be required for hospital nursing eventually, you will probably have to sign a contract stating you will enroll in a BSN program in so many years if you are hired with an ADN. It will also be required for hospital administration I would imagine. However if this is not the path you are seeing yourself take, it may not be beneficial to you. That is how I feel about getting a Master's - I would make the same or less money for more responsibility, less flexibility and more debt.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD 9,051 Posts Specializes in Critical Care, Education. Has 35 years experience. Sep 24, 2013 Unless you have a crystal ball or really great Tarot card reader, you have not idea of what the future holds. You certainly don't want to get in a bind - finding out that the job you want requires a BSN..... and kicking yourself "Darn! I could have had it by now if I had just continued that program!!" You've come this far, keep on plugging to the end.
SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN 10,263 Posts Sep 24, 2013 I didn't get the BSN for advancement although it has opened doors. I got it because I thought I should have a bachelor's degree to call myself a "highly educated professional." And to be one.I am a beside nurse. By choice.
Guttercat, ASN, RN 1,345 Posts Has 31 years experience. Sep 24, 2013 I'm only getting my RN> BSN so that I can pursue a higher degree from there. That's the only reason.
MedChica 562 Posts Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections. Sep 24, 2013 I agree with GUTTERCAT. I want a BSN because I want a higher degree. At a time, I felt differently. Having a degree is 'standard' where I grew up but, the truth is, this nursing (or, rather, the healthcare facilities) is just plain turning me off. I'm not some anti-intellectualist. I just don't like the way things seem to 'operate' in this field. 'Attend some RN-BSN at your own risk. Come out earning the same as before, this time - with more debt!' These people are nuts. If it's not for career progression, there is no point in me doing it at all.
HHN2472 37 Posts Sep 25, 2013 I am attending a top University. The course work is simply busy work. Nothing more. Discussion post after discussion post that I can BS my way to an A. I am not learning anything imo... Or maybe I am and I'm to ignorant to know it? What is so intellectual about a Bachelor's I do not yet know. Maybe one day I will. Hopefully it will be worth this $15,000 I am tossing at it. I am just wondering WHERE these jobs are? If I don't want to be a NP (and I do NOT)... and I don't want to take a pay cut to work at the hospital then what good will this do me? Nursing instructors make diddly around here and administration makes no more than a bedside nurse. Where are these nurses that make $70K per year? What happens when I do need it in ten years, but then they up the ante and you need a master's? Or even further they will require a PhD? When does it end??? Errrr. I just feel like I could be buying a home or a new car or something instead of spending my hard earned cash on this. I am not meaning to offend at all. Just been doing some "critical thinking".
WAheartnurse 32 Posts Sep 25, 2013 My hospital pays an additional $1 per hour for BSN. We are union. I guess that means my school payback will take about 7 years but I think that it opens doors in areas that otherwise you may not qualify for. Like changing from floor nursing to something completely different- having your BSN makes them think you have a higher level of research and writing skills.
