Why do RN's with ASN and BSN make the same?

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

Alot of companies pay the same in home health for the different degrees. That is one reason why I got my BS/MS in something else. I could not bear taking another nursing degree. Now I have two other degrees I love working on and getting.

renerian

BETSRN · Feb 27, 2005

This is good info- I'm a soon-to-be LPN and can't decide between going for another year for the RN or continuing for a BSN. I already have a B.S. is Sociology/Criminal Justice and am not that enthusiastic about getting another Bachelors, particularly if they pay is the same as an RN. SOunds like I'd be better off sticking to the RN path...

I agree. Just get your RN. You can always go back at a later date if you decide you need the BSN. otherwise, just enjoy being an RN. Get your RNC at a later date if you want to advance yourself.

smile123 · Feb 27, 2005

I think its interesting that you assume all hospitals are unionized and all nursing positions are static (i.e. no lateral or vertical moves). Many hospitals in this country are not unionized, and having a BSN can make a difference in advancement, hourly wage, and where a person might be on a clinical ladder.

Hi DelightRN,

In California, the major hospitals are run by unions. That's the reason why a lot of RNs do not jump around from hospital to hospital if they are not part of the same union. They would have to start over in seniority. One my colleagues at Stanford University Hospital says that's the reason she stayed at Stanford.

Are you saying that Baltimore hospitals are not unionized? Is Kennedy Krieger Institute (where you work) a non-union shop? If so, that's good to know. Do you know if Johns Hopkins Hospital union or not? Thanks. It's nice to get more information.

Smile123

angel337, MSN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

like some of the other posters said..more education does not always mean more money and it isn't just isolated to nursing. a friend of mine struggled for ten years with a MSW in social work, barely making 40k a year and as soon as he got a ASN in nursing he was making over 60k easy. there are millions of people with MS degrees who make the same as a beginner in their field. it's sad but true. when you seek higher education you must keep in mind that the "good" jobs are very competitive and hard to come by. you must network and work very hard to get those positions and employers seek people that have more than just the letters behind their name to get the job done. bedside jobs are plentiful which is why you will never see hospitals turning away a nurse that doesn't have a BSN. however if you aim to get away from the bedside it will take alot more effort to land your dream job. for some people it's worth getting the extra education and for others it's not.

CA CoCoRN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

Bottom line is this, as someone else side, when we're all floor nurses we "do the same job". However, it's when we come off the floor that the difference in education can "show and be demonstrated".

As an ADN, I can not be a PHN in my state. As an ADN, I can not teach in RN Nursing Schools; I can teach LVN students and/or RN and LVN clinicals.

As an ADN, depending on experience in the area, I will not be the first looked at for some administrative/management positions or Department heads.

Those areas would garner me extra money, and of course extra responsibility (for that extra degree).

As for the "Gold Standard" for entry into nursing practice, though I have my ADN, I do believe the BSN should be required.

Why??

Because my college was "supreme" and, just because of my personality and "need to know" traits, I went that extra mile to get the maximum benefit of the education.

The college I attended has a reputation to turning out excellently prepared nurses at the ADN or BSN level (my alma mater is a four year college with a few Associate degree programs). I don't say that because I went there. The college already had that rep and that's WHY I went there.

I didn't want anyone to 'look down on me simply because I don't have an BSN'.

However!!! I've found that not all Junior Colleges/trade schools are as knowledge intensive and I have worked with some very ill prepared ADN nurses. Those experiences tainted me. (To be fair, I've also worked with some ill prepped BSNs...but far fewer)

Now if all ADN programs were required to have the same coursework concentration and intensity as BSN as mine did, and the only difference which separated them would be the "extra" undergrad work (aside from the sciences)...I'd be all for NOT having a gold standard for practice.

CA CoCoRN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

I agree. Just get your RN. You can always go back at a later date if you decide you need the BSN. otherwise, just enjoy being an RN. Get your RNC at a later date if you want to advance yourself.

I will agree with this. Depending on how long you are planning on staying "on the floor", your ADN with additional certifications will do. Keep in mind though, that some certifications ALSO require BSN. Ah, the rub. I'm currently studying for the 'C' to my RN. Getting the 'C' will get me extra compensation in my facility. They pay a bonus on initial certification, and a yearly bonus for keeping it.

Additionally, certification moves me higher on the clinical ladder with a corresponding increase in wages.

So.....right now, while I can't afford to get back in school full time (I want to graduate again from my alma mater...they're expensive), I can still improve education through other means.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

I know very few nurses who make more than I do, and I just have my AD

Im averaging 125 k a year for the last 6 or 7 yrs now

Who needs a BS

smile123 · Feb 27, 2005

I know very few nurses who make more than I do, and I just have my AD
Im averaging 125 k a year for the last 6 or 7 yrs now
Who needs a BS

That's interesting. You sound like the exception in the nursing field. Are you still located in Texas? What speciality unit do you work in? How long have you been in nursing? How long have you been in the same hospital system? And are you a floor nurse or have you taken on other responsibilities (even though you have a AD degree)? Are you working weekends, evenings or nights (differential adds up for those shifts)? It's good to take in the background of the individual and the situtation they are in.

For most new RN grads, the pay is $20 to $28/hr (perhaps they would give an extra $1.00/hr if you had a BSN vs. a ADN). Sounds like you have a nice job! :)

Smile123

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

That's interesting. You sound like the exception in the nursing field. Are you still located in Texas? What speciality unit do you work in? How long have you been in nursing? How long have you been in the same hospital system? And are you a floor nurse or have you taken on other responsibilities (even though you have a AD degree)? Are you working weekends, evenings or nights (differential adds up for those shifts)? It's good to take in the background of the individual and the situtation they are in.
For most new RN grads, the pay is $20 to $28/hr (perhaps they would give an extra $1.00/hr if you had a BSN vs. a ADN). Sounds like you have a nice job! :)
Smile123

I am an ER Burse for over a quarter of a century

I work noon till midnight

I do pick a little OT, but Im carefull where I pick it to get maximum advantage

I did in the past have other skills that I used to market myself, but now Im tired of all those silly, redundant,useless meetings

And I dont include my Strike Money in there, thats extra

girlfromtx · Feb 27, 2005

That's interesting. You sound like the exception in the nursing field. Are you still located in Texas? What speciality unit do you work in? How long have you been in nursing? How long have you been in the same hospital system? And are you a floor nurse or have you taken on other responsibilities (even though you have a AD degree)? Are you working weekends, evenings or nights (differential adds up for those shifts)? It's good to take in the background of the individual and the situtation they are in.
For most new RN grads, the pay is $20 to $28/hr (perhaps they would give an extra $1.00/hr if you had a BSN vs. a ADN). Sounds like you have a nice job! :)
Smile123

I'm a BSN student. The starting pay I was told by a hospital administrator was $16 and some change. Maybe I should look around....

Fun2, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

As a bad analogy: a college graduate and a work-your-way-up-no-college-employee getting paid more for the same job. If you do the same work, you get the same pay.

I am going for my RN, but will get my RN-BSN right after. I don't care to have to take some classes over b/c of the 5 year rule.

Do I want extra pay for my continued education? Yes. Will I get it? I doubt it. Just because I will be more knowledgeable in history, government and statistics doesn't mean I'll be any better of a nurse, or more qualified.

Plus, I agree with the other posters. The hospitals know that ADN and BSN will work for the same amount, or close amounts, therefore that's what they pay.

As for myself, I am getting the ADN because that's what my FULL scholarship is for. However, I WILL get the BSN because that is what I need to do in order to feel accomplished. (at least the BSN)

I hope you don't become so upset over this pay rate issue that you can't work well with ADN coworkers.

gerry79 · Feb 28, 2005

Ah, the great debate. Diploma, ADN, BSN. The funny thing is that the end product is RN. I am in an ADN program, which is great for me at this stage of my life, and allows me an opportunity to quickly enter the profession. I do plan on continuing towards a BSN as it opens more doors in the nursing profession. My motivation to get my BSN has nothing to do with prestige, or money. As I am finding out, bedside nursing is taxing on the body. Researching the different types on nursing jobs available in my area, in most cases, having the minimal amount of education required (Diploma/Associate Degree) keeps you at an entry level position (bedside nursing) with little or no chance for advancement. At the present time Associate and Bachelor trainied nurses may make about the same, but in my opinion (highly unprofessional since I am not a nurse yet), more education equals more, and in some cases better, employment options.