[dprUsh83]

LPN, RN, BSN--different degrees, but what is the difference? I have a BA in another field and if I pursue Nursing, would it affect me by going the community college route; or is it worth the extra time and money to go with the BSN? What does each degree enable you to do, and are there tremendous pay scale differences?

[Pucklpnemt]

Originally Posted by dprUsh83

LPN, RN, BSN--different degrees, but what is the difference? I have a BA in another field and if I pursue Nursing, would it affect me by going the community college route; or is it worth the extra time and money to go with the BSN? What does each degree enable you to do, and are there tremendous pay scale differences?

As so many people who go into Nursing nowday the primary consideration
is the Pay scale or the pay differences....
What happen to the good old days that the Patient Care was the reason
you went into Nursing. For shame on people who are looking out for them
selves

[dprUsh83]

Yes, because the financial security to send my someday children to the school of their choice is completely selfish and murderous....get out of here.

[maryabr]

This is a good question, and doesn't mean you're only thinking about money! We can provide caring no matter which degree we choose, and it's important to think about the cost of obtaining it so you don't spend the rest of your life in college loan debt. Pay depends on the agency/institution. I'm just answering in general. The LPN pay scale tends to be significantly lower than RN/BSN, and depending on the state you're in, there may be some restrictions on what you're allowed to do (some states don't allow LPN's to start IV's or other things). RN and BSN pay scales are a little more similar, but in some places the BSN does start out with higher pay and many agencies are preferential to the BSN, especially for management. In these days of "nursing shortage," however, I don't think it matters that much overall. If you one day decide you want an MSN or to be a nurse practitioner, you'll be glad to have the BSN.

I just went through this same situation and ended up going with a "second-degree BSN" at a University. I did my prerequisites at the local community college, since it is cheaper, then went on to the BSN program. The decision was completely based on time: the RN was a 2 year full-time program, the second-degree BSN is 15 months (summer, fall, spring, summer). This was less time I would have to be out of work full time. Check with your local Universities to see if they have a second-degree program. You take all the same classes and clinical hours as a 2 year BSN, but it is condensed into less time. It's VERY challenging, but well worth it if you have good study habits and can take the pressure for a short time period.



LPN, RN, BSN--different degrees, but what is the difference? I have a BA in another field and if I pursue Nursing, would it affect me by going the community college route; or is it worth the extra time and money to go with the BSN? What does each degree enable you to do, and are there tremendous pay scale differences?

[RNA]

Originally Posted by maryabr

I just went through this same situation and ended up going with a "second-degree BSN" at a University. I did my prerequisites at the local community college, since it is cheaper, then went on to the BSN program. The decision was completely based on time: the RN was a 2 year full-time program, the second-degree BSN is 15 months (summer, fall, spring, summer). This was less time I would have to be out of work full time. Check with your local Universities to see if they have a second-degree program. You take all the same classes and clinical hours as a 2 year BSN, but it is condensed into less time. It's VERY challenging, but well worth it if you have good study habits and can take the pressure for a short time period.

This is how I did it as well - 12 month accelerated second-degree BSN. Pay is about $1/hour more because of the BSN so it shouldn't really be a factor in your decision but many hospitals/agencies now prefer BSN-educated nurses. In fact, I think there is a bill in NJ that would require all RNs to get their BSN in 10 years from now if they want to continue working as RNs. If that bill passes other states might consider this so in my opinion you would do well to get your BSN. The accelerated programs are very hard and you must study because in the end you have to pass the same exam as 4-year students but they are the quickest route to getting your nursing degree.

[Pucklpnemt]

[quote=maryabr]This is a good question, and doesn't mean you're only thinking about money! We can provide caring no matter which degree we choose, and it's important to think about the cost of obtaining it so you don't spend the rest of your life in college loan debt. Pay depends on the agency/institution. I'm just answering in general. The LPN pay scale tends to be significantly lower than RN/BSN, and depending on the state you're in, there may be some restrictions on what you're allowed to do (some states don't allow LPN's to start IV's or other things). RN and BSN pay scales are a little more similar, but in some places the BSN does start out with higher pay and many agencies are preferential to the BSN, especially for management. In these days of "nursing shortage," however, I don't think it matters that much overall. If you one day decide you want an MSN or to be a nurse practitioner, you'll be glad to have the BSN.

I just went through this same situation and ended up going with a "second-degree BSN" at a University. I did my prerequisites at the local community college, since it is cheaper, then went on to the BSN program. The decision was completely based on time: the RN was a 2 year full-time program, the second-degree BSN is 15 months (summer, fall, spring, summer). This was less time I would have to be out of work full time. Check with your local Universities to see if they have a second-degree program. You take all the same classes and clinical hours as a 2 year BSN, but it is condensed into less time. It's VERY challenging, but well worth it if you have good study habits and can take the pressure for a short time period.


This 2nd degree program- is trash..... Okay you have a degree in accounting
or in foreign language or like.....
What makes you a BSN in 15 month... Or maybe so many of the courses
that a BSN has to take are useless in the nursing field.
LPN course are 12 months long and they likely learn more about nursing in
those 12 months than most BSN will ever know.....
It is sad that every Tom **** and Harry now want to be a Nurse....