Totally Freaked Out

[bebahloo]

I have been working for the past 3 years of my life to try and get into an ADN program. I finally finished all my requirements and applied for Fall 2009 at BCC but now I am freaked out about all the posts I have been reading about people not being able to find jobs and that you must have a BSN to get a job. It took me so long and I worked so hard with everything I could possibly give to get to this point. I sacraficed not working and suffering financially to focus on studies, I gave up a quality time I could have had with my babies to study. I thought this would all be worth it for our family. Now I am worried if this is all for nothing. I live in the south shore so I don't know if it is different around here because most of the threads are in town. Should I be worried. It took so long just to finish my requirements to get in. I haven't even started the program yet. I don't know if I can do another 8 years to get a BSN (I go part-time).

[dfs1961]

Go get your ASN. Once you are done and get a job, your new employer can pay for you to go back and get your BSN. Or, you can do the RN to MSN route. Don't give up.

[A_Simp]

I agree with the other poster go and get your ASN. Most CC have agreements with BSN programs and you can continue onward. Besides, in 2yrs + your in school, the entire hiring situation might have changed again.

I do highly recommend that you get a job as a CNA when you are able. I know where I work, when our CNAs have graduated, the hospital made every effort to hire them on and would not consider any outside applicants for new grad RN positions.

Good luck and you can do it.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

It's only the big hospitals in Boston that will only hire BSNs as new grads. Plenty of other hospitals hire ADNs. Don't freak out. The job outlook could be completely different in a few years when you finish nursing school. The sacrifice will be worth it!

[plyRN33]

I agree that you should find a CNA job at a hospital that you want to work for now, that way you already have your foot in the door. I heard that South Shore Hosp was applying for "magnet status", so they will prefer BSN over ADN. Some of the other smaller south shore hospitals do hire new grads, but on an as needed basis. They don't have new grad programs like some of the larger facilities do.

[drmorton2b]

An RN is an RN is an RN. It all depends however a case by case basis. Your not going to be working in the ICU at BIDMC as a new grad. I think its a case of the jobs not being found in Hospitals that everyone is screaming about.

Are there a barrage of Nursing Jobs available when you get out as many as their have been in the past.......... NO

Contingency planning is key. By becoming a CNA and getting your foot in the door at a facility they will see you are doing a good job and hopefully will hire you as an RN when you become one.

My plan is similar to what you are doing. Atleast you will have somewhat of an income if you hit a slump of joblessness when you graduate as a CNA. I would also be prepared to move especially out of this state.