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If you are going to school in MN you will want to get your BS in Nursing (I would bet that even at St. Olaf it is really as BS and not a BA-it really doesn't make any difference anyway). What you want is a 4 year degree vs a 2 year degree. The majority of nurses you will be coming up against will have 4 year degrees from schools with a better reputation in nursing than St. Olaf so you are already starting at somewhat of a disadvantage, not huge but still. If you decide that you don't like nursing a 4 year degree will be more marketable for jobs outside of the nursing field.
In MN you can expect to start at around $50K with a 4 year degree and move up into the 6 figure range in 10 years or so.
Have you investigated programs (often state-sponsored) that pay your tuition and fees if you agree to work in the state for a specified amount of time after graduation - usually two years? I did it with my BSN originally - 2 years flew by, I was able to work during college, nursing school, no biggie and I had no debt. I did go back to become an NP and do really well (worked all the way through that program too). There are a lot of programs that will offer you a stipend while you're in school. Look at Johnson and Johnson and American Nurses Association to start. i think they will pay for ADN or BSN programs. Just didn't that option to go unexplored.
Wow! Thanks so much for that information! I will check it out!
If you are going to school in MN you will want to get your BS in Nursing (I would bet that even at St. Olaf it is really as BS and not a BA-it really doesn't make any difference anyway). What you want is a 4 year degree vs a 2 year degree. The majority of nurses you will be coming up against will have 4 year degrees from schools with a better reputation in nursing than St. Olaf so you are already starting at somewhat of a disadvantage, not huge but still. If you decide that you don't like nursing a 4 year degree will be more marketable for jobs outside of the nursing field.
In MN you can expect to start at around $50K with a 4 year degree and move up into the 6 figure range in 10 years or so.
2 year RN makes the same as an 4 year RN. Maybe a dollar more an hour, thats it. The difference is 4 year RNs can become supervisors or managers among some other things. But as a base sallary they start at the same level! I found a great web site with lots information www.allnurses.com
One more thing to think about besides the manager thing people keep mentioning is magnet status hospitals want BSNs and if you want to do public health or community nursing, a lot of times the BSN is preferred, esp at the planning level. What I mean is public health clinics will hire ADN RNs for patient care clinic work but often prefer BSNs for outreach, program planning, and educational roles.
In general the ADN will get you almost every kind of job the BSN will. The exceptions become important if they apply to you.
But even if I don't go back to school. I mean , if I make 45 bucks an hour i might just not go back to school. You should see what I make now!
You will not make $45/hr as an RN except under extremely extraordinary circumstances. $25-30/hr is far more likely.
With a BSN you will have a lot more opportunity for advancement. Not just high level management, but head nurse, charge nurse, etc.
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