Job Prospects for accelerated BSN grads

rloh961 · Mar 2, 2011

This is a great question, and I hope some people from the other end of the process (having completed an accelerated BSN program and done the job hunt thing) will weigh in.

I have no idea if any of the programs are viewed more/less favorably than others. I know the BSN is valued over an ADN or other form of RN degree, and in some hospitals, only BSNs are being hired. In general second-career nurses are seen as more mature, since they are older and have other life experience; on the other hand, people hiring new nurses really value those with lots of clinical experience, which second-career nurses may not have much of.

With regards to any individual new nurse's chances of getting hired, I think it's more important than ever for people to impress during clinical rotations. In that sense, some schools may have more affiliations and clinical rotations in the big hospitals, so you'll have more opportunities to make those important contacts.

In the meantime, PennyS, the best suggestion I've heard for people considering going to nursing school is to start getting clinical experience in a hospital now, like by getting work as a CNA. This will be helpful not only when you're hunting for a job, but during the nursing school application process itself. Good luck to you!

Carrig RN · Mar 2, 2011

I graduated from an ABSN program in Virginia this past December and my advice to you is to go to a school that has clinical affiliations with the hospitals you want to work for in the future. If you can't do that, at least go to a school that has clinical affiliations with the caliber of hospital you want to work in. I obviously was not able to do clinicals at MA hospitals, but I completed my clinicals in a Level I Trauma Center and academic medical center. I think this helped a lot in my job search.

I accepted the much debated MGH Critical Care Internship and I think the reason I got the job was my clinical experience (senior practicum in ICU and three clinicals on step-down) coupled with my ability to speak the language of nursing. Immerse yourself in nursing, network with your clinical instructors and preceptors, and take advantage of every opportunity you can to see and do new procedures. You will be better off for it.

ERICA57 · Mar 2, 2011

Most schools in Boston have clinical associations with the major hospitals, this is true of both ADN and BSN programs. I dont think an Accelerated Bachelors gives you any advantage over a traditional BSN program, at this point, its a challenge to get your first job in healthcare in Boston whatever your degree.