Why aren't there better incentives for obtaining a BSN degree?

[labelle777]

I'm a BSN nurse, and I was just wondering why is it that there are so few incentives for obtaining a BSN degree as opposed to an ADN degree? I know that an RN is an RN, but I feel there should be greater incentives for obtaining a BSN degree. BSN nurses only get paid generally an extra 50 cents to $1 an hour than ADN nurses from what I've seen so far, but it doesn't make sense to me. On top of that, MSN prepared nurses don't seem to make much more than BSN nurses. At various hospitals I saw that their MSN differential is $1300 a year. I 've also seen that certification differentials at these same hospitals are around $1200 (not much different than a BSN or MSN differential).

Why is this the case? I've come across nurses with ADN's who would like to get there BSN but don't because there are no real incentives, given the additional schooling and extra tuition involved. From ADN to BSN to MSN to Doctorate there should be much larger wages as one progresses from one degree to the next. I think there should be at least a $10,000 difference in yearly salary. In many ways, money talks, and it seems that what facilities that hire nurses are saying to us is that they only wan't ADN nurses.

[OldNurseEducator]

OldNurseEducator,

The studies above are all by nurses with advanced degrees who teach in College Nursing programs.

I am shocked at the outcome that BSNs provide better outcomes...concluded by nurse educators.

I would like to see an independent study done by non nursing researchers............and compare the findings.........

I do teach in a college program and I hold a MSN. I agree with you. I would love to see studies by non-nurses. Thesis anyone?

[Guest717236]

I do teach in a college program and I hold a MSN. I agree with you. I would love to see studies by non-nurses. Thesis anyone?

Thank you for your reply. How a great number of us are here to participate in discussions

only being cared for by diploma nurses from delivery room to adolescence would make another great study.

And there was no internet,computers or cell phones then...

[Catch22Personified]

BSN, Associates, Diploma

It doesn't matter when you're a new grad. You all have no experience.

Yes, we're all RN's however every side has issues about entry into practice.

"Oh I have to go to school more?"

"Why do they almost make the same amount of money as me with less schooling?"

"They aren't clinically prepared enough"

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

Well around here BSNs actually make about $20/hour more, because if you don't have one you're getting minimum wage at Starbucks. I kid, kid. But not really. The incentive is being employed as a nurse. Other areas are different, but here you aren't going to get a job with a ADN unless a) you have been a nurse for a very long time and have a lot of experience and outstanding references and b) like working in nursing homes b/c that is the only place hiring non BSN RNs.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

This may be a good argument for different NCLEX exams for different levels of RN's. Just sayin'...we all take the same NCLEX-RN at the present time. Maybe the NCLEX-RN isn't measuring what it should be measuring?

I'd have to agree. At this point, it is hardly measuring basic literacy judging by the mental midget that have been passing.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

As linearthinker said above, having a BSN for entry to practice means a job as an RN everywhere but the US. You don't have the option anywhere else. That's the incentive. Furthermore, as much as many of you may not think it's fair, regularly, Canadian nurses are hired to work in the US. Why? Not because we're better nurses. No. Because of the BSN. That's it.

Aside from some of the senior nurses who would most likely be grandfathered in, anyone who recently entered the profession will require their BSN at some point, if they hope to advance. Consider yourself fortunate to even still have the option of a 2 year program. No BSN equals no RN in many other parts of the world. Whether that's fair or not is irrelevant. Standards change.

[labelle777]

OldNurseEducator,

The studies above are all by nurses with advanced degrees who teach in College Nursing programs.

I am shocked at the outcome that BSNs provide better outcomes...concluded by nurse educators.

I would like to see an independent study done by non nursing researchers............and compare the findings.........

Is there any research done that contradicts the findings of their studies?

[Guest717236]

Is there any research done that contradicts the findings of their studies?

Hopefully an independent researcher (like a MPH researcher) will conduct a study.

Its best if someone not connected to the education of nurses reports their findings.

To have individuals involved in nursing education only report this can have potential issues

of bias. To have an independent researcher verify would give more credibility to the study

as long as they are not sponsored by a nursing organization or nursing affiliate.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I bet that an OT with a masters would be paid significantly more than an OT with a bachelors

*** Uh, no they do not. The BS prepared OT's are the older ones with more years of service and experience thus they make more money.

and that a pharmacist with a doctoral degree would be paid more than a Pharmacist with a PharmD, even if the two are doing the same job and all are licensed.

*** This makes no sense PharmD = doctorate. You are saying a pharmacists with a doctorate makes more than a pharmacists with a doctorate?????????????

[PMFB-RN, RN]

OldNurseEducator,

The studies above are all by nurses with advanced degrees who teach in College Nursing programs.

I am shocked at the outcome that BSNs provide better outcomes...concluded by nurse educators.

I would like to see an independent study done by non nursing researchers............and compare the findings.........

*** At our local AACN meeting we were shown a soon to be published study that was done at Parkland in Texas. It shows that critical care patients had better outcomes when cared for my RNs with CCRN certification. There was no difference in patient outcomes related to qualifying nursing degree.

Whole I am on the subject it is inaccurate to say that the ADN prepared RN is less educated than the BSN prepared RN until you take into consideration the huge number of ADN nurses who hold bachelors degrees in other fields.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

aside from some of the senior nurses who would most likely be grandfathered in, anyone who recently entered the profession will require their bsn at some point, if they hope to advance.

*** i would agree that the chances of advancing are better for those with a bsn. however bedside nursing is the desire and goal for a great many nurses. those who want to advance can do 18 months of easy, part time, online classes like i did to get their bsn. that said superior rn seem to advance regardless of their degree. i turned down a supervisor position last year. our sicu hired a new manager with in 2010 and he is an adn nurse. my (magnet) hospital's nurse residency program for the sicu only accepts adn prepared new grads.

consider yourself fortunate to even still have the option of a 2 year program.

*** i do.

no bsn equals no rn in many other parts of the world. whether that's fair or not is irrelevant. standards change.

*** the big question is why should we care about what the standards are in any other country? i don't. i am a dual citizen, us & new zealand and have held licences in both. i had no trouble getting licensed in new zealand in 2009 with my adn.

[CuriousMe]

*** it is clear to me that the "bsn only" movement is an attempt to keep people like men (most of whome come to nursing as second or third career) and other non-traditional types out of the field.

i'm not sure how you came to this conclusion?

i know my traditional bs program is easily >70% non-traditional/2nd career students.