ADN + Bachelor's in Relevant Field

Nurses New Nurse

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I have a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from a State University, I will be graduating with my ADN this upcoming May. My question is will hospitals recognize me as a "BSN" even though I don't technically have a Bachelor's in Nursing? I've looked at curriculum and BSN/Biology are very similar to each other. My main concern is a hospital striving for magnet status, will my being an ADN hurt them or will my other degree compensate? Thanks!

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Uuuhhh...no. They will recognize that you have an ADN in nursing and a BS in Biology. You actually have to go to school to obtain a BSN.

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Thankyou for your prompt and arrogant response

I take it you're a BSN student

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The replay may have been a bit blunt, but the poster was essentially correct. The 2 different disciplines (nursing and biology) are not as similar as they may first appear. The only way the BS in biology would significantly help your career is if you were seeking a job that relied heavily on a knowledge of biology.

The Magnet program focuses on Nursing education only in their requirements for staff nurses and nurse managers (though, at the moment, CNO's can have Master's Degrees in a related discipline if they have a BSN.)

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So if me (as a new graduate) and a new graduate BSN apply for the same job, does the BSN have an advantage over me? I'm not trying to claim the two are equal, just trying to prepare myself for the upcoming job market.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

Yes, the BSN will have the advantage.

I wish someone had told me this 3 years ago. I have a BS in Biology and was torn between a part-time ADN program or a full-time accelerated BSN program. I chose the ADN program because I thought my BS degree would keep me at the front of the line with the other BSN grads. I've spoken to several recruiters and they are not the same at all (according to them). At the time that I chose this route, I knew that I would be LESS marketable, but I didn't realize how UN-marketable I would be. Definitely go the BSN path if you can.

Good luck!

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That's what I was afraid of... Like you I had a feeling I would be at a slight disadvantage, but was hoping it wouldn't be very significant. I really hope I can get some interviews instead of being discarded because of my ADN- I think I can stand out in an interview. I do plan on achieving my BSN in the near future (next 2-3 years) but I need to work first- 6 years of school so far puts me at a financial disadvantage (and marrying in October- she's got quite a few student loans!)

Any suggestions to make myself competitive against a BSN? (other than getting my BSN:confused:)

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Any suggestions to make myself competitive against a BSN? (other than getting my BSN:confused:)

I would recommend finding a part-time or per diem job as a CNA. That will definitely give you an advantage over other candidates. I know you graduate in May, but it doesn't hurt to try because it would be almost impossible to get a CNA job after you graduate from nursing school.

Goodluck!

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro/Trauma.

@Turd Ferguson - Lol. Agreed on the arrogant response above-- just an innocent question looking for more insight.

I've talked to Nurse Recruiters from 2 different magnet hospitals (one in NYC and one in LA) regarding their application process - and they both said that once you indicate that you have an ADN on their application, you almost instantly get the automated email explaining that you don't meet the qualifications for the position.... for the reasons you stated above (almost all magnet hospitals are only hiring BSNs). But it does appear that ADN's do get hired if they have previous experience working in that hospital (in other words - already having their foot in the door as a CNA, etc).

I also have a BS Neuroscience and recently completed an accelerated BSN program. To be honest, I never learned about the whole Magnet hospitals looking to hire only BSN prepared nurses until my final semester in my leadership & management class. If you get a chance (if you haven't already), read the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Initative on the Future of Nursing (at the Institute of Medicine) - a key message is to promote academic progression and to have more "BSN-trained" nurses - which they also hope to achieve additionally through ADN-to-BSN/ADN-to-MSN programs. From what I've heard, ADN nurses who are currently working at magnet hospitals are given 10 years to get their BSN as well. So, while it may be financially burdening - it might be to your benefit to just go for it and get your BSN or MSN -- but only in the event that you are unable to find a job. I do think other non-magnet status hospitals are still accepting ADN's regardless, so hopefully you won't have any trouble and can hopefully get that hospital to reimburse your tuition to bridge to either BSN/MSN :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

I think you will be able to get interviews if you apply to the right places. You may not be able to get into the big hospitals as your first job, but look for other options in your area. Rehab hospitals, LTC, doctors offices, triage, clinics, etc. All of my friends from previous semesters in my ADN program have jobs. So there are jobs out there, you just can't be as picky. I am starting to look at RN to BSN programs right now, and will probably enter an online program in mid-2012. I hear you on the student loan issues though. I wasn't planning on getting a BSN at all, and now I have to scramble to get one!

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Thankyou for your prompt and arrogant response

I take it you're a BSN student

Yeah, but you're asking a question that's been discussed in depth on this board. And what upper level nursing courses does one get in a Biology degree?

While there are some MSN programs that will accept an ADN with another Bachelor's degree, for employers who want BSN candidates, they're not interchangeable.

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