Why do RNs get paid so similar to NPs?

[foreverLaur]

I was googling average NP salaries, and they looked to be $80-$90k a year. My hospital's average floor nurse (RN) salary is $84,000. Most of our nurses have ADNs. It seems a little unfair that someone with an associate degree would get paid almost the same as someone with masters degree? I'm a little confused.

[Cindy-san]

I've got my BSN and a few years experience. I did minimal OT last year (b/c around April 15 I would pay so much taxes than I ended up paying to do OT) and made $80-90K.

I have several coworkers who are NPs. They're not leaving the floor to go to work as an NP because they'd be taking a paycut.