I received my education before mandatory BSNs were introduced in my province - and also before many were getting their degree. At the time I attended College (now a university), I could barely afford to eat never mind put out more money for years more of classes* - and the College I attended did not offer a BSN at the time. When I was finally making money - and being technically single until age 50 - it was quite difficult to pay a mortgage and go to school and have a social life too. There was no such thing as "online school"....and the time off was seldom granted to attend inservices let alone University courses.I almost went into financial ruin during my RN training.....and wasn't wanting to do it again. And now? Right now I am too close to retirement and have other interests that I would rather pursue than Nursing - such as Painting or Music.
After graduation, when you go to work on the ward, it all comes out in the wash. As an BSN or Diploma RN - there is no difference in your function if you are a "general duty nurse". IF you wish to go into management or research or Public Nursing etc, a degree is a necessity. I have always enjoyed General Duty Nursing. The degree doesn't make you a "better nurse" on the floor, and despite what a certain nurse inferred in the comments section of another nurses excellent blog that RNs without degrees are somehow ignorant in things of business - I beg to differ.
I understand that an anomaly does not a body of truth make. BUT - it still stands that I have no formal training in business yet I have parlayed what I have learned in the real world through experience into what will be a comfortable retirement. I am respected enough to have a CEO request me to sit on the board of directors of a NPO (non profit org) to assist with multi-million dollar decisions about senior housing projects.
But. Having said that.... I am puzzled that value that isn't placed on having a degree by rewarding those that have one. I would be the first in line to argue that if you have a degree, there should be appropriate compensation. Take a look at the stats that were sent out by an advertising spammer that I am sure - if you are a nurse - you received in your comments, along with permission to post. The graph made me do a double-take.
If it this information is true - I am wondering - why is there not much of a difference in monetary compensation between RN and BSN? The graph actually shows that an RN makes MORE than a BSN**. I know money isn't always the measurement of success or prestige in our hearts, but in the real world - the way value is shown is usually in monetary compensation and I don't see that happening with the degree nurses.
Check out our BCNU Nursing wage grid.
Per BCNU contract,*** Nurses with degrees get $100 per month stipend. If you have a One Year accredited course from a University in a specialty area and only if it is an area you work in which it can be utilized, you get an extra $25 per month. If you have a Master's degree, that's an extra $125 per month. Oh. And it gets better. You can only qualify for ONE of the above....multiple compensations are prohibited.
That doesn't seem - to me - to be much in the way of recognition for the extra work done, nor the body of knowledge accrued never mind adequate reimbursement of educational dollars spent. Lucky for the employers, BSN is now entry level nursing for any new grads from the Universities and Colleges in our province. (btw : no such thing as "associate nurse" or "LVN" in BC)
What do you think?
* In fact, I was an LPN first, then after working and scraping together money for tuition and working full time while taking university courses, I wrote the challenge exams for 2nd year entry, quit and did my RN classes for a solid 1 1/2 yrs holding my breath.....
** yes, I realize there is a shift diff payout, but still.....
***pg 107, BCNU Provincial Collective Agreement Apr 1'06 - Mar 31'10
By the way. I am STILL accepting names for the FREE BOOK. Let me know if you would like this book to give to someone!!! (yes I can have it sent to you so you can gift it to whomever you wish!)
Last chance is September 30. Just click on the book in the RIGHT COLUMN.