What can ADN nurses achieve with a BSN other than accumulating more debts?

[elpnla]

I talked with a couple ADN nurses who have completed their BSN degrees.

They get a few dollars more in pay, but their debt is over their head. Amazing..

[elpnla]

In deciding education for ourselves, we must understand the law of supply and demand. Investment in education is not cheap, unless you have money to throw away. How great is the demand for BSN, MSN, PhD nurses say 10 years from now? What is the supply of BSN, MSN, PhD nurses 10 years from now? I bet you the supply will greatly exceed the demand 10 years from now. What happens then? Hospitals want to save money. Businesses want to save money and make large profits. It's cheaper to hire AD nurses and foreign nurses than to pay for BSN, MSN, and PhD nurses. Read the classified section of your favorite newspapers. How many are looking for BSN/MSN/PhD nurses? How many are looking just for "RN" to fill their need? Even Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are struggling to find jobs. What chance do you have of finding a PhD job unless you have inside connection, or you father is the Director of a large hospital or school?

Remember the law of supply and demand. That's my point.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Because there is so much more supply than demand right now, employers can be picky, and can choose the nurse with more education. They will be more likely to choose the nurse that already had the BSN or MSN so that they will not have to foot the bill for the education through tuition reimbursement. Therefore, nurses with more education are more desirable candidates. That is MY point.

[elpnla]

I see your point clearly. But how much more are they willing to pay? If they are willing to pay $100.00 more per shift than an AD nurse, go get your BSN degree tonight.

Remember, Medicare reimbursement rate is getting smaller and smaller. Medicaid pays the difference in the form of "extra help". And people are living longer. Pretty soon Medicaid will run out of funds too for health care services.

Be careful when dealing with colleges and universities. They have your pocket in mind, not your future.

[ronchelednik]

What is wonderful about a BSN is your halfway towards your FNP and the making of real money, being a care provider instead of a task worker. And in 20 states and growing be able to have your own practice and tell them CNO, Dr., & Managers to go scratch.

[elpnla]

And in 20 states and growing be able to have your own practice and tell them CNO, Dr., & Managers to go scratch.

Wow, here's a real thinker, and not just a follower..ROTFL

[elpnla]

What is wonderful about a BSN is your halfway towards your FNP and the making of real money.

Yes, yes, yes! In any investment that you make, you want to get the highest return for your money. There's nothing wrong with that.

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

You don't have to take out student loans for an RN to BSN program, I paid $12k out of pocket because I was wise and saved up for it.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

You don't have to take out student loans for an RN to BSN program, I paid $12k out of pocket because I was wise and saved up for it.

I keep wondering why there is almost a "mythical" issue to BSN, or rather RN-BSN being "sooo expensive," when there are actual quality programs that don't cost that much...

[elpnla]

If you ask Mitt Romney, $12,000.00 is very cheap. The same goes for Donald Trump..

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Remember the law of supply and demand. That's my point.

Your argument might hold some water except that many employers (mine included) aren't paying more for BSNs. But they are giving them hiring preference. So from the employee's perspective, BSN pays way more than ADN (which if you don't get hired is $0/hr). From a employer's perspective, BSNs don't cost more, and employers have scads of choices to pick from.

There's your law of supply and demand.

[sweetdreame, BSN, RN]

I haven't read all the comments, but I'd like to offer my two cents.

I was an ADN nurse, turned BSN nurse, now pursuing my DNP. I earned my BSN solely as a stepping stone. My hospital did pay part of my tuition and an extra $0.50 an hour...which translates to around $1000 a year (no overtime), so I assume it would have been worth it financially as well.

I did not learn much (clinically) in my BSN program, but I will say that it did make me a better nurse. It broadened my perspectives, changed how I see management, health care in general, and most importantly my patients. I understand research, can interpret statistics, have an improved viewpoint regarding ethical dilemmas, and function better as part of the interdisciplinary team. I can't specifically tell you exactly what it was, but I did benefit from the program.

As a professional nurse, obtaining a BSN is important. It certainly makes you more well-rounded. I loved my ADN program, but I do not think ADN programs are necessarily benefitting the overall profession. I think that as a profession it is important to graduate strong, well-rounded, well-spoken, educated nurses. ***Disclaimer: If you are an ADN reading this, I don't mean you aren't those things***

If you can get some kind of tuition reimbursement, I would definitely advise you to pursue your BSN. Not only is it a personal accomplishment, but it will help your career in the long run. I certainly did not feel inferior practicing as an ADN, but I have read some on this site say "I'm only an ADN". If you are one of those people and somehow feel inferior, you should do it...if only for yourself.

Good Luck!!!

[elpnla]

My point is that employers prefer cheap labor. If they can get cheap labor from the Philippines, what prevents them from importing cheap labor from Thailand and the Philippines? 15 or 20 years ago the cost of labor is not a big factor. Today, Medicare is getting poorer and poorer every year. And soon they run out of money. Businesses are leaving the mainland USA for cheap labor overseas.