Salary question??

GilbertDaddy · Feb 28, 2006

Kind of off-topic, but I'm hopeful that if Arizona moves to a BSN-required state (as I think some others are doing now), they keep the salaries competitive.

That's actually a good question - if states start getting too many nurses (not like that can ever really happen given the attrition rate), would implementing a mandatory BSN-only rule help further filter those that don't desire to do more work to become a nurse?

.....because, you are educating yourself for the next level, not the level you are already in.
And as far as the argument that more education means more pay, that is not always true. The job I did in my first career (BS degree) is now being done by people with 2 yr degrees, same pay.
My sister in law has a 2 yr EE degree and is making the same money as a BSEE degree with the same experience. Sometimes more education means that you place your self OUT of the job market (remember the MBA push from about 10 years ago? Many of those people , especially towards the end of the push, came into a job market saturated by other MBA's!) When you look at furthering your education, you most also look at the requirements of the job you want. The entry level nursing job requires EITHER a diploma, a ADN, or a BSN, and a pass on the NCLEX. That's it! I don't have a problem with the BSN being required for entry level nursing, but if this is what the BSN crowd wants, then the burden is on them to redefine the role of the entry level nurse.

Goldenhare · Feb 28, 2006

That's actually a good question - if states start getting too many nurses (not like that can ever really happen given the attrition rate), would implementing a mandatory BSN-only rule help further filter those that don't desire to do more work to become a nurse?

In theory, if it takes more education, then there will be less people to fill the positions. :)

GilbertDaddy · Feb 28, 2006

Which would hopefully raise salaries to a degree, you'd think at least.

Anyone working in a state that requires a BSN to become an RN? Has the salary gone up as a result?

ArmyKitten · Feb 28, 2006

A few people questioned why a BSN should be paid more than an ASN. Out of curiousity, I looked up a local well known nursing school that offers ASN degrees- their program is 72 college credit hours. My BSN was 132 hours- 164 hours total if you count my electives. 132 hours vs 72 hours equates to the BSN having more education.

Someone mentioned that we all have to pass the same NCLEX. True, but NCLEX is measuring for minimum compentency to practice safely- not total knowledge.

Lets go back to the ASN vs. BSN school. The ASN school requires 42 hours of actual nursing classes and clinicals. The BSN requires 65 hours. Personally, I think that is why the BSN should get paid more- more nursing classes than the ASN.

danigirl58 · Feb 28, 2006

That there is an argument that I could totally agree with :) My BSN education placed us into more clinical's then the diploma nursing course (theory and clinical experience)

foxyhill21 · Feb 28, 2006

i totally agree- also which states require a BSN as an entry level to practice

A few people questioned why a BSN should be paid more than an ASN. Out of curiousity, I looked up a local well known nursing school that offers ASN degrees- their program is 72 college credit hours. My BSN was 132 hours- 164 hours total if you count my electives. 132 hours vs 72 hours equates to the BSN having more education.
Someone mentioned that we all have to pass the same NCLEX. True, but NCLEX is measuring for minimum compentency to practice safely- not total knowledge.
Lets go back to the ASN vs. BSN school. The ASN school requires 42 hours of actual nursing classes and clinicals. The BSN requires 65 hours. Personally, I think that is why the BSN should get paid more- more nursing classes than the ASN.

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 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?

i think salary.com is a little on the high side of the spectrum, imo. i work in texas in an er, and nearly 2 years after graduating (rn), my base is $16.25. since i work er, a $3 diff is added to that, plus my night/weekend diffs (19-23=$2.05, 23-07=$2.25, weekends=$4). so if i work a weekend i make about $22.50/hr (before taxes).

btw, it takes longer than two years to become an rn. i went through a diploma program, which in itself was two years. add that to the two years i spent in undergrad doing prereqs, and the total is four years. then after rn i finished my bsn, which took another year, so actually (if you go the route i took), it takes 4-5 years.

oh, also, my hosp. gives a $0.50/hr raise if you complete your bsn.

ArmyKitten · Feb 28, 2006

I think salary.com is a little on the high side of the spectrum, IMO. I work in Texas in an ER, and nearly 2 years after graduating (RN), my base is $16.25.

Salary can range even within the state. For my part of TX, new grads earn $20-25 an hour.

Here is something else I found today that is relevant to our discussion. This is copied directly from the NCSBN website:

"The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are

separate examinations that reflect different

scopes of practice. Accordingly, these examinations

are scored on separate scales and have

separate passing standards."

danigirl58 · Feb 28, 2006

OK i have a dumb question ....... what is a NP I'm thinking its a nurse practitioner is that right?????

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

ok i have a dumb question ....... what is a np i'm thinking its a nurse practitioner is that right?????

yes :)

Goldenhare · Feb 28, 2006

That there is an argument that I could totally agree with :) My BSN education placed us into more clinical's then the diploma nursing course (theory and clinical experience)

"Someone mentioned that we all have to pass the same NCLEX. True, but NCLEX is measuring for minimum compentency to practice safely- not total knowledge."

1) The amount of clinicals apparently does not matter, the quality and learning experience does. You will find if you look that the NCLEX pass rate for ADN programs is HIGHER than for BSN's.

2)The NCLEX is also the ENTRY LEVEL JOB REQUIREMENT. The minimum compentency to practice safely IS the entry level job requirement. Sure extra education is always a good thing but it is NOT at present required for an entry level nursing position. :banghead:

MayisontheWay · Mar 1, 2006

"1) The amount of clinicals apparently does not matter, the quality and learning experience does. You will find if you look that the NCLEX pass rate for ADN programs is HIGHER than for BSN's."

I asked about this at my school (BSN)...the answer was that ADN programs gear their programs to pass the NCLEX only. We didn't even begin to think about the NCLEX/Exit test until the end of the last year. Thus, it's a personal responsibility issue to prepare and pass both the Exit exam and the NCLEX.

I applied to some very, very competitive graduate nurse internship programs that require a BSN (and high GPA). I have to believe that the choice I made was a good one and frankly I am tired of reading (between the lines) that BSN students aren't as good because our pass rate isn't as high.

As for salary, I don't disagree that the pay should be the same for doing the same job. I think the payoff will come a little later when I apply to grad school or leadership positions, etc.

May