Standard for hiring

[Sully64]

I recently went back to school for my BSN and since I am enjoying learning again I am starting to consider what comes next. I just wanted to say, the options are so overwhelming! And even more so, the cost of higher education! But isn't it nice to be in a field where we have so many options? I was just curious about how it is where everyone else lives. Here, an ADN is fine to land a job and there is no pay increase for a BSN, but most job postings say "BSN preferred".

Where you live, are ADNs able to find hospital positions? Or Is BSN required? Where are you located?

Any hospitals moving more toward MSN to get in the door? Any incentive pay wise for floor nurses to advance their education? In my area it opens up new job opportunities, but the pay isn't much better.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Hi Sully!

I live in the Mid-Atlantic. I was a BSN new grad and I'd say about half of my cohorts as new grads (in 2006) were ADNs.

That being said...

the major healthcare system in my area achieved magnet status in 2010ish. The drive to hire BSN new grads went into full gear; however, I still had friends with ADNs who were hired into hospital positions. I'm out of acute care right now so I can't speak for the last couple of years.

As for MSN to get in the door? Nah, not for most positions. Education, research...yes, those things maybe. But otherwise? An MSN occasionally means the hospital has to pay more and hospitals aren't necessarily kosher to that!

I started to pursue my MSN. My healthcare system agreed to pay for it but I had to agree to two years of full time employment AFTER the degree was obtained, not to mention full time employment during the schooling.

A lot of my friends have done or are doing the NP thing. It HAS increased their pay; however, I was doing the CNS route and those can be few and far between. It really does depend on your area and your specialty. My dream position would have been either an HIV/AIDS CNS or MedSurg CNS but in that healthcare system those positions just weren't in existence; therefore, I would have needed to continue as a staff nurse for two years and THEN found an APN position.

[Stitch3296]

I'm in the Pacific Northwest, graduated with my adn last year and am currently in a residency program in acute care on a med/surg floor. But one of the hiring stipulations was that I return to school within 2 years and get my bsn. Our hospital is also considering magnet status so that would require any other adn rn to pursue their bsn. Another local hospital hired about 1/2 of my classmates with no stipulation for getting their bsn.

Eta..pay isn't much different $1/hr for bsn, and $1/hr for certs.

[Fiona59]

Here in Canada, the ADN doesn't exist. All RNs are required to have a degree. LPNSs require 2+years at the college level.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I'm in an Upper Midwest metro area, and got my current job with my ADN, plus high-level ICU exp. and a winsome personality. BSNs are preferred, some hospitals/managers require it. I have on occasion seen "BSN or MSN preferred," but as of yet never seen an MSN required for staff nurse positions. I do work with an MSN-prepared RN, but I think hers was an ELMSN after an MA in special ed. So she was still a new grad RN when she started working.

[RainMom]

Here in Canada, the ADN doesn't exist. All RNs are required to have a degree. LPNSs require 2+years at the college level.

Most RNs have degrees in the US as well, either an associate (ADN) or bachelors (BSN). There are a small number of RNs with diplomas from hospital based programs.

[Fiona59]

Most RNs have degrees in the US as well, either an associate (ADN) or bachelors (BSN). There are a small number of RNs with diplomas from hospital based programs.

Associates isn't considered a degree, our community colleges issue them. RN is four years at uni

[RainMom]

Associates isn't considered a degree, our community colleges issue them. RN is four years at uni

I guess that's a difference between Canada & US then, because it is considered a degree here.