Recent studies show that institutions that hire nurses are increasingly giving preference to those who hold a BSN degree. The Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information indicates that the Commonwealth is currently experiencing a nursing shortage that will result in 4,800 new job openings a year. Holders of a BSN not only have an edge for new jobs but also for in-house advancement and higher salaries.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing has approved 38 baccalaureate programs; most can be completed by current RNs in three semesters. The Pennsylvania Coalition for the Advancement of Nursing Education reports that 92.2 percent of medical institutions have some form of education tuition reimbursement for RNs interested in pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
Salaries for BSN-Educated RNs in Pennsylvania
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2013 salary report for top earning RNs with salaries in the 75th and 90th percentiles, which are those known to be more experienced and qualified through BSN programs, revealed the following for Pennsylvania as a whole.
- 75th Percentile Annual Salary – $75,770
- 90th Percentile Annual Salary – $89,870
- 75th Percentile Hourly Wage – $36.43
- 90th Percentile Hourly Wage – $43.21
The US Institute of Medicine’s recent “Future of Nursing” report maintains that BSN-educated RNs consistently outperform ADN-educated RNs. Additionally, earning a BSN pays off significantly in terms of opportunities for advancement, job security and monetary rewards.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recently reported that the number of Registered Nurses in the U.S. returning to school to earn a Baccalaureate degree or higher has increased from 35,000 in 2004 to 75,000 in 2010 and 100,00 in 2012! It is obvious that the nursing staff of the future will be one of highly educated individuals capable of meeting the demand for high-quality care in an increasingly complex healthcare system.
Regional Analysis of Salaries for BSN-Educated RNs in Pennsylvania
According to a 2013 US Department of Labor report, salaries for top-earning RNs in selected Pennsylvania cities are as follows:
A full detailed analysis of salaries for BSN-educated RNs in Pennsylvania is shown in the table below: