Do MA facilities hire ADN nurses?

U.S.A. Massachusetts

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Hi MA Nurses,

I grew up in the Boston area and have been living in a land far, far away for many years. I'm pining for my hometown these days and feel it's the right time to return. Here's the rub: I just applied to a nursing program (ADN) in the state where I'm currently living. (I earned all of the "points" possible on the application, so I'd be very surprised if I didn't get accepted.) The program is tuition-free; finishing it would mean staying another ~5 semesters. I should also mention that I've been working my geeky booty off for the last 2.5 years to complete nursing prereqs. My question for you: If I graduate from this ADN program, take the NCLEX, and become an RN, would I have a prayer of being hired in MA, especially w/o experience? I have a BA (English/Journalism) and a MS (Education), although it seems other degrees are moot when it comes to nurse hiring. What would my employment options be, if any? Would I be better off just to ship myself back to MA and spend the money to do a BSN/MSN program there? I think there's an ADN vs. BSN forum, but I thought I'd go straight to the source.

Thanks very much for any insight you can share!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

I just graduated with an ADN and have a previous BS in Biology. I had a fairly difficult time landing an interview, and am still having trouble finding my way in to a hospital with 4 months experience. I did get a job at a skilled nursing facility on a rehab floor and I'm learning a ton. That's really where the market lies for new grads, especially ADN grads. I do know a few people in my class who landed hospital jobs but most ended up in nursing homes, home care or per diem jobs.

Good luck!

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Sorry to be disappointing, but like the previous poster mentioned BSN is pretty much required around here. Partners hospitals (if not everyone) will not even accept your application if you're an ADN new grad - they require BSN. But it sounds like you have a great opportunity to graduate debt-free. My best advice? Get the ADN where you are and then immediately enroll in an online RN-BSN program. Then you can have "current BSN student" on your resume, and that could help. But FYI, the job market is really tight. Even people with connections are having a hard time finding jobs. Good luck! :D

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Boston hospitals will hire an RN with an ADN as long as you are enrolled in an RN-BNS program. A lot of their postings will include language that specifies this.

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Thanks to all of you for sharing your advice and experience! This is hugely helpful, esp. to know that being enrolled in a higher degree program will make an ADN more employable. Really good info. Thanks!!

sbostonrn -- I love that you mention you're learning a ton, even working at an snf, not a hospital. That's great to hear. :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

No problem! I think people underestimate SNF's as valuable places to learn (I know I did before I worked here). I manage 15-20 patients a day with wound vacs, G-tubes, IV antibiotics, fingersticks, a huge med pass and docs/NP's to deal with. It's definitely been an interesting few months! However I have worked on the LTC floors in my facility occasionally and it is pretty basic - I would not want to work there permanently. So if you're going to look at nursing homes, make sure you'll be on a skilled rehab floor. Good Luck :)

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Is it a BSN, or can you have your ADN but also a Bachelors in another field?

Ive heard conflicting stories about this.

But good to know that if you're enrolled in a RN to BSN program they'll consider even looking at your app!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.
Is it a BSN, or can you have your ADN but also a Bachelors in another field?

Ive heard conflicting stories about this.

But good to know that if you're enrolled in a RN to BSN program they'll consider even looking at your app!

It's a BSN that's the key. No one cares about your BS, MS or even PhD in another field. If it's not in nursing, they don't care about it. It's sad but true :/

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If you don't have to wait a long time for the accelerated BSN program, go ahead and do it. I decided to do a Night-time ADN and I am now going to starting either a MSN, or BSN (30 credits online). It took me about 2 months after my Nclex to get a LTC position. It is now 7 months working at the LTC and I have been hired in a LTAC hospital in Boston. I do have a previous BS in Biology and had 4 years working in a lab. The only thing that this seemed to help was that I had a history of working for the same employer for a good amount of time, and I was not a new graduate with absolutely No professional working experience.

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Specializes in ED, ICU.

To be honest, I have my BSN and still had a hard time finding a job in MA. I live in western MA, and started at a hospital in September after graduating in May. Several of my classmates are still unemployed, and a large percentage of those with a job are in SNF (which is a great exp. as well). I cannot speak for Boston hospitals, but the amount of ADN's definitely outweigh the BSN's in my hospital, as well as a few surrounding hospitals. BSN new grads are having just as hard a time finding a job as ADN. It might be wise for you to get the ADN quick, secure a job, and then complete the BSN portion while working. I know of multiple accelerated RN-BSN programs up here, and you can start getting experience while completing your degree! Just a thought :) good luck!

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Thanks to all for your thoughts and advice! I was just accepted to an ADN program (which is well-reputed and tuition free, in another state), so I plan to do that, get work as an RN, and do an RN-BSN or RN-MSN shortly thereafter. I'm hopeful that working as a nurse will give me some direction w/ regard to which degree to pursue next. It does seem that both ADNs and BSNs are struggling to find work nation-wide, although I doubt it's as tough a market to crack vs. other lines of work.

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