Salary question??

RazorbackRN, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2006

Ive been doing a lot of reading on this site and noticed that alot of people complain about pay. However, I read classifieds, sallary.com, and testimonials on here as well that are saying 50-60 grand a year. While your not getting rich, this seems like a pretty decent salary, espically when it only requires 2 years of school to become an RN.Anyone explain?

In only 2 years???

I will graduate with my ADN in May of this year. I to school FULL-TIME in Aug 02. It has taken me 3 1/2 years to complete a "two year" degree.

TexasPediRN · Feb 16, 2006

Hmm..it really does depend on experience, and where you find a job.

I started off as a new grad in a smaller hospital in Pennsylvania, with a salary of 18.75 an hour for evenings, approx 39g per year. Not the best, but I loved the hospital. Most of the students I graduated with went on to work @ bigger, well know hospitals, and made around 20-22/hr, or 41.6g to 45g. Still, ok for a new grad. But it must be taken into consideration bills, new cars, housing, etc.

Presently, I am still considered a new grad and am doing Peds Private Duty nursing. I make 22 an hour, or approx 45g a year. Considering I have a wedding coming up in May, its ok. My fiance makes about the same as me, but it still amazes me how much you make, and how much you actually come home with. I know I loose about 200 from my paycheck weekly to taxes.

As another poster mentioned, you cant go into nursing for the money. Nursing is hard work, emotionally, mentally, and physically. You really have to have a good heart to go into this profession, but if you do, you'll find it to be very rewarding.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 16, 2006

In only 2 years???
I will graduate with my ADN in May of this year. I to school FULL-TIME in Aug 02. It has taken me 3 1/2 years to complete a "two year" degree.

Forgive me for hi-jacking the thread ... and I assume that you had to go to that particular program because nothing else was available in your area ... but I think that is ridiculous. The ADN degree was originally INTENDED to require 2 years of full time study. The ADN graduates would then have 2 years less education than BSN and there would be 2 different "levels" of basic nursing preparation that would justify differences in role function, pay, opportunities for promotion, etc.

By adding requirements and lengthening their programs, SOME ADN programs are cheating their students. They only give them a "2-year degree" for having done 3 or 4 years of work. That's not right. Unless you have no other choice, I think any student who accepts that situation is making a mistake. If you are going to spend 3.5 years to become a nurse -- and then have to go back to school for a BSN later. It would pay to simply get the BSN to begin with.

Some ADN programs can still be completed in 2 years. Why other schools have been allowed to add to their requirements without giving the students the higher degree is beyond me -- another big mistake that the profession of nursing has made. It cheats the students and causes confusion about what the educational preparation of ADN graduates actually is.

llg

fergus51 · Feb 16, 2006

You'll figure it out when you start working. I make a decent wage in California and don't complain about what I make. But, that's because I don't want to own a home here. If I did, my high salary wouldn't be enough.

I think part of what you're missing is many nurses aren't complaining that they're not well paid, they are complaining that they aren't well paid considering all the responsibilities they have. It can be a little frustrating to know a plumber makes more money than you when you consider that if he makes a mistake no one will die. He didn't go to university for a four year degree either, but his skills are valued.

DaFreak71 · Feb 16, 2006

Forgive me for hi-jacking the thread ... and I assume that you had to go to that particular program because nothing else was available in your area ... but I think that is ridiculous. The ADN degree was originally INTENDED to require 2 years of full time study. The ADN graduates would then have 2 years less education than BSN and there would be 2 different "levels" of basic nursing preparation that would justify differences in role function, pay, opportunities for promotion, etc.
By adding requirements and lengthening their programs, SOME ADN programs are cheating their students. They only give them a "2-year degree" for having done 3 or 4 years of work. That's not right. Unless you have no other choice, I think any student who accepts that situation is making a mistake. If you are going to spend 3.5 years to become a nurse -- and then have to go back to school for a BSN later. It would pay to simply get the BSN to begin with.
Some ADN programs can still be completed in 2 years. Why other schools have been allowed to add to their requirements without giving the students the higher degree is beyond me -- another big mistake that the profession of nursing has made. It cheats the students and causes confusion about what the educational preparation of ADN graduates actually is.
llg

I have yet to see a program that requires nothing in the way of pre-requisites. For my program, I had to take:

Biology

A&P 1 and 2

Microbiology

Speech

English comp 1 and 2

Nutrition for healthcare workers

Human Growth and Development

Marriage and Family

Psychology

College Algebra

That's 40 hours of coursework before you can enter the program. In all honesty, I think these classes have prepared me for the nursing program. I think each of the pre-requisites are pertinent to the program and I don't see how a nursing program could teach all these classes in addition to the nursing classes. Some students have been able to get into the program without a few of these classes, provided they are all complete by the third of the five semesters in the nursing program, but most students have them all completed by the time they enter. Junior/community colleges can't hand out a 3.5 year degree, and most adult students need these classes as refreshers if they've been out of school for a long period of time.

The only classes I will need in addition to my 2 year ADN degree are economics and chemistry (which I can take during ADN program) in order to do an RN-BSN program. My local 4 year university has a wretched NCLEX pass rate due to the poor instruction. I would not have considered going there. I wouldn't think a student should automatically go for a BSN over an ADN without first considering the quality of the education first. The program I am in has a 98% NCLEX pass rate whereas the 4 year university has a 74% pass rate. For me it was a no brainer. BSN does not always equate to a better education. For a lot of us ADN program people, we are getting a very comparable education in less time than a 4 year program. In 3 years (including pre-requisites) I will be able to work as an RN, whereas I would have to wait 4 years if I got a BSN. Let's look at the numbers:

4 Year BSN cost of tuition:

10k year (I'm using my local university as an example)=40k

**can't work as a nurse for 4 years**

2 year ADN program (plus 1.5 years of pre-requisites)cost of tuition:

4k per year=14k

Can work as RN after 3 years

Online RN-BSN:

6k per year (using amounts from the program I will be doing)=6k

Total cost of ADN with bridge program=20k but in my first year as RN (year 3 of education) I can make 50k.

Total cost of BSN=40k and has to wait 4 years to earn any of that back.

Summary:

4.5 years = BSN at cost of 20k but offset by 50k you earn after 3.5 years=net profit of 30k

4 years=BSN at cost of 40k, after five years, net profit=10k

Math looks better w/ ADN-BSN in my opinion.

Adri

joe134 · Feb 16, 2006

Hey everyone. First, i just wanna say thanks for all the informative replies.I think i get the jist of what a lot of people mean by not making enough as a nurse. Its not that they dont make a decent salary, they just dont feel its enough for the work they do, which I understand. Thats the boat im in now. Im an electricians apprentance, the works hard and can be very dangerous. It sucks working outside at 7am when its 10 degrees out. The most an electrician can make is 20-30 an hour,unless your self employed. I dont feel thats enough for that kind of work.My father is self employed and makes a decent amount, but the stress ive seen him go through all my life is not worth it. Constantly worrying about getting work and fixxing problems. Its more then i want.A few questions about nurseing though. Why is it that I see some schools requireing 2 years of prerequisties for the RN program, while other schools only require one year?I would figure there would be something set in stone that you required, not just the schools own rules. Another Big question is regarding the stress you guys go through. I understand that you are given to many patients and work long days but can anyone elaborate on this. Ive read horror stories about nurses hateing their jobs and im trying to get a jist of why. I know its not a perfect job but i think i would rather spend my time helping people than working hard just to get some lights working. Thank you all for your time.

Montessori Mommy · Feb 17, 2006

The school I attend in upstate NY is a true two year ADN program - although you do attend classes over the summer. You can begin straight out of high school with no previous college credit.

I have to say that my classmates who are trying to juggle all the co-requisites (A & P I & II, Micro, Psych, etc.) along with Nursing classes, labs & clinicals are stressed beyond belief! I entered the program with a lot of credits from my previous BS in engineering, and having already taken A & P I & Micro. Just the nursing classes are overwhelming!! :mad:

humglum, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2006

I have yet to see a program that requires nothing in the way of pre-requisites. For my program, I had to take:
Biology
A&P 1 and 2
Microbiology
Speech
English comp 1 and 2
Nutrition for healthcare workers
Human Growth and Development
Marriage and Family
Psychology
College Algebra
That's 40 hours of coursework before you can enter the program. In all honesty, I think these classes have prepared me for the nursing program. I think each of the pre-requisites are pertinent to the program and I don't see how a nursing program could teach all these classes in addition to the nursing classes. Some students have been able to get into the program without a few of these classes, provided they are all complete by the third of the five semesters in the nursing program, but most students have them all completed by the time they enter. Junior/community colleges can't hand out a 3.5 year degree, and most adult students need these classes as refreshers if they've been out of school for a long period of time.
The only classes I will need in addition to my 2 year ADN degree are economics and chemistry (which I can take during ADN program) in order to do an RN-BSN program. My local 4 year university has a wretched NCLEX pass rate due to the poor instruction. I would not have considered going there. I wouldn't think a student should automatically go for a BSN over an ADN without first considering the quality of the education first. The program I am in has a 98% NCLEX pass rate whereas the 4 year university has a 74% pass rate. For me it was a no brainer. BSN does not always equate to a better education. For a lot of us ADN program people, we are getting a very comparable education in less time than a 4 year program. In 3 years (including pre-requisites) I will be able to work as an RN, whereas I would have to wait 4 years if I got a BSN. Let's look at the numbers:
4 Year BSN cost of tuition:
10k year (I'm using my local university as an example)=40k
**can't work as a nurse for 4 years**
2 year ADN program (plus 1.5 years of pre-requisites)cost of tuition:
4k per year=14k
Can work as RN after 3 years
Online RN-BSN:
6k per year (using amounts from the program I will be doing)=6k
Total cost of ADN with bridge program=20k but in my first year as RN (year 3 of education) I can make 50k.
Total cost of BSN=40k and has to wait 4 years to earn any of that back.
Summary:
4.5 years = BSN at cost of 20k but offset by 50k you earn after 3.5 years=net profit of 30k
4 years=BSN at cost of 40k, after five years, net profit=10k
Math looks better w/ ADN-BSN in my opinion.
Adri

I don't know if I'd count on making 50k your first year as an RN in Mississippi. Salaries vary according to region and the south/southeast is known for being especially low.

Nat_gagui · Feb 17, 2006

It's not exactly two years based on my understanding. For a ASN program that lasts two years there is another 1-1/2 years of pre-reqs before getting into the program. So it isn't really a two year program even though they are given a two year degree. And that's if you can get into the program./QUOTE]
I agree, i am on my 1st year and not finished with prereq, i will be lucky if i can get in from the long list of student who want to get in the program.
Nat

RNZenpeaceful · Feb 17, 2006

Just a comparison of salaries: my sister-in-law makes $120,000 (plus bonuses and paid vacations) selling office supplies..she has been with the same company for 15 years. She holds a 4 year degree in Business. I have about 15 years experience as a nurse.

Two years ago, I made about about $100,000 as an emergency room/IV nurse.(this was my part-time IV Team nurse position; 24 hours week, plus my work as an agency nurse, another one-two shifts per week) But I had to work weekends/Holidays/night shift in an inner city trauma center in order to be paid good $$$: about $55/hour straight time, and more for the night shift/weekends/Holiday pay. The difference is, (while I am not saying my sister-in-law does not work hard) I really and truly worked my a** off, with no bonuses/free vacations/fancy dinners...My sister-in-law has a very different type of work than me, but it just seems that some non-nursing careers pay a lot better than nursing, and don't seem to be as physically and mentally exhausting....

DaFreak71 · Feb 17, 2006

I don't know if I'd count on making 50k your first year as an RN in Mississippi. Salaries vary according to region and the south/southeast is known for being especially low.

I'm basing my figures on what my husband made his first year after graduating from the ADN program I am attending. He has worked some overtime, but not a whole lot.

Adri

nursemelani · Feb 17, 2006

I got my LVN 10 years ago, and that would have taken 2 years if I went full time. No AS degree though, just a certificate. Now I am taking pre-reqs to get into the LVN-RN bridge program. Taking 2 classes per semester, it will take 1 1/2 years for the pre-reqs and 2 years for the core nursing classes (going full time), so yeah, around here there is no such thing as a 2 year program. Of course, RNs in CA are paid very well, which means that there are usually 200+ applicants for 30 spots in the RN program.