Getting the first job--what's most important?

U.S.A. New Jersey

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Since it's getting tougher to get a job as a new grad, so I'm wondering what is more important in getting that position -- a BSN or work experience?

I have a B.A. and I'm trying to decide whether to go to an accelerated BSN program or a diploma program. If I do the ABSN program, I won't be able to work as a nurse's assistant while in school or do an externship, which I would do if I attend the diploma program. I think that would really help me get my foot in th door and get a good first job (maybe even a job in a specialty area). On the other hand, I know having the BSN also helps in getting a job.

What do you find to be the more important factor? Thanks!

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I'm in the same boat. I have a B.A. also and am leaning towards the ABSN program for a few reasons:

1) I was cautioned by a Dean of Nursing not to apply to an Associates program because I have a bachelors degree and to now obtain an Associates degree would not serve my advancement.

2) I've been hearing from a number of nurses (that work in hospitals) who say that although it's been "talk" for years, they strongly believe that around 2010 it's going to be a requirement for new RNs to have a BSN.

Whether the "talk" is true or not, I don't know, but I figured that at some point it probably will be mandatory.

I've applied to a few schools (for their ASBN) for the May and Sept '09 semesters. And in the meantime, I'm taking the prereqs I need and will also be working as a Unit Secretary on an as-needed basis at a hospital. Even though the pay is a much less than what I was doing before (in a non-nursing field), it'll give me the flexibility I need, time to concentrate on my studying and some exposure in the nursing field. In addition, it's also a great way to get my foot-in-the-door if I decide to continue working in a hospital.

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Hi Jag,

About the BSN requirement talk, I wouldn't listen. I was in a hospital the other day and two of the nurses were insisting that it's already a requirement for ADN nurses to get their BSN in 10 years. It's simply not true. What has happened is that a non-legislative body (I don't remember which) has passed a resolution supporting a measure to require nurses to earn a BSN within 10 years. However, no one with legislative authority has actually picked it up to put on the table for debate. Even if it should pass, anyone who's even enrolled in nursing school would be grandfathered in -- wouldn't have to get the BSN at all. It would only apply to people not in nursing school yet.

As far as the Dean of Nursing's advice, I just wouldn't put too much stock in it. Everyone from a school is going to tell you to get as much education as possible, but I have also spoken with many nurses (several of whom have master's degrees and so clearly value education), who said that the two most important things to look at are the school's NCLEX pass rate (ABSN programs often have low pass rates) and the amount of clinical time offered. For those of us who are "career changers," these are the two most important things. Someone told me, "You can always go back for more classes and earn other degrees, but you can never make up the clinical time you missed. The last thing you want to do is not get enough clinical experience .. you can put your lincense on the line as a new nurse if you're not clinically prepared."

I do plan on getting my Master's (I can go straight into Master's programs as either a BSN, RN or a BA, RN), so I definitely value the edcuation and credentials, but I also don't want to try to take the shortest route if it means compromising my skills as a nurse. I know that the BSN is good for management, but I know that, at this point, I really need to be a good NURSE. So my biggest question is, what program will best prepare for nursing?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The answer really depends on what hospital you want to work for. For example, if you want to work for the hospital that sponsors/runs the diploma program ... then graduating from their own program would not count against you. If anything, it would be to your advantage.

On the other hand, some hospitals prefer BSN's -- or at least prefer BSN's for certain types of positions. If you want to work for one of those employers, then it would be to your advantage to get the BSN.

Another important factor is the reputation of the particular schools in question.

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Hi llg,

I totally understand the benefits of having a BSN for some hospitals/some positions; do you think that's more important than any benefits one get from having a foot in the door and clinical experience by working as a CNA?

From my non-professional perspective, it seems that the BSN is useful, but the clinical experience is useful too. Say I want to go into L&D -- might I not have a better chance of getting a job in that dept. if I was able to do an externship in L&D and work on that floor as an aide during school? If I get an accelerated BSN, I wouldn't be able to get the work experience or do the externship. I'm torn because I think the degree and the experience are both important!

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It really does depend on the hospital you want to work at. I just finished the Rutgers ABSN program and am now applying for jobs. I know this is the NJ forum, but I am also applying in Pa, and I have seen a lot of hospital websites that state they strongly prefer BSN nurses. And in the case of HUP, they will only hire new grads with a BSN. As time goes on this could be the case with more and more hospitals....

Also, I had no previous experience working in a nursing related field, and yet and I am getting a quick response to the resumes that I've put out.

Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Public Health.

As an associates degree nurse, I've often heard from my BSN coworkers they wished they'd had more clinical time.

I'm starting to think that the higher entry point you have in the RN field, the less clinical time you'll have. I am in the process of going back for my BSN, but am also taking advantage of the tuition reimbursement here.

Good luck!

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I've been speaking to a few pre-nursing students and it seems like most of us who have BA/BS degrees are torn between doing the ABSN route and doing the Associates route.

The most logical thing to do would be to do the ABSN route. But, with there only be a handful of colleges in NJ who offer the ABSN, a limited amount of seating, and the drive to start the program, it gets to be tough to decide which is the best route to take. A part of me feels at times like I'm better off taking a few steps back and doing the Associates route. It'll take longer (school-wise), but at least there won't be as much of a wait compared to waiting for the next cohort if I do the ABSN route. But then another part of me is like "why waste my time when eventually I want to get a BSN".

I've been told by a few nurses that for someone such as myself, who has no medical experience, that "all you need is a basic nursing diploma". It also seems like once you're an RN/LPN, it's almost easier to get into a school to work on your BSN versus someone who doesn't have a license.

I'd like to bring this thread back up to the top and get everyone's take (current and previous BSN, ASN, Diploma students, etc.) on which is the more realistic way to go. Is there a difference between the courses you take when doing the ASN route versus the ABSN?

For those of you who have a BA/BS and did the ASN route, did/do you regret doing the ASN?

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I have a BA (non-nursing) and finished my ADN last year. I'm glad I went that route. It was extremely cheap and provided an excellent education. I am now about to begin my masters to become a nurse practitioner. Also, now that I'm working part-time during school I am getting tuition assistance towards my masters. Getting my ADN didn't hurt me a bit!

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Hi Jag,

I'm starting a diploma program tomorrow! After MUCH consternation, I decided this was the best way to go (I was actually accepted to 2 ABSN programs, so the limited seating wasn't an issue for me).

After speaking with lots of current and former students in ABSN and the diploma programs, I decided I didn't want to spend 6-8 hours a day studying AFTER class/clinical. I'm sure there are people who can soak up info for 10 hours straight, people who read something once and remember it forever, people for whom that kind of schedule isn't burdensome, but I am not one of them. It may only 15-16 months of the ABSN program, but, as a good friend said, "that's long enough to ruin a marriage or your mental health!" I decided it's better for me to do the diploma program and study about 2-3 hours a day.

I also think -- though I don't have a lot to back this up -- that my job prospects will be better, since I will be able to work at a hospital during school. Since I already have a bachelor's degree (albeit not in nursing), I think externship/clinical work experience + a BA will put me in a better position than a BSN without that experience. After all, the ADN vs. BSN debate isn't really about people in our situation -- if you've had a liberal arts education (and especially a BA/BS in a social science discipline), you've already had a lot of the material covered in a BSN.

As far as what's covered in a BSN program that's not covered in an ADN program, it depends on the school. From what I can tell, the curricula differences are usually courses on research, statistics, sometimes informatics, leadership/professional practice, and community health. There is somewhere in the neighborhood of a 60-80 credit difference between BSN and ADN programs (most of which is core curriculum, like English, psych/soc, humanities, etc.). However, it's usually about a 10-credit difference between the ADN and ABSN programs.

For someone like me, who's already taken research, statistics and computers, and who will have a leadership course in the diploma program, the only difference I can find between the ABSN and diploma programs is a course in Community Health. In the end, I think my BA, RN education will cover almost everything a BSN, RN eduation would.

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JAG815: I have a BA in Biology and finished an acclerated BSN program in May 2008. I received my nursing license at the end of July 2008 and have not gotten a position yet. It is very difficult to get in to see any of the nurse recruiters in NJ. So, if I had to do it again, I would probably do either Associates or Diploma program to get the experience at the hospital that would help me land a job quicker.

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You make me hopeful. I am an LPN with an Associates Degree (Science) so Im wondering what does this mean for me. What would being an LPN and/or having that degree make it easier for me to do in so far as going back to school to be an RN. I was thinking of doing the quick ADN (associate RN) but I have my Associates. BSN would take longer?? It may be the route to take though..online. I dont know. Any idea I would greatly appreciate. thanks

I've been speaking to a few pre-nursing students and it seems like most of us who have BA/BS degrees are torn between doing the ABSN route and doing the Associates route.

The most logical thing to do would be to do the ABSN route. But, with there only be a handful of colleges in NJ who offer the ABSN, a limited amount of seating, and the drive to start the program, it gets to be tough to decide which is the best route to take. A part of me feels at times like I'm better off taking a few steps back and doing the Associates route. It'll take longer (school-wise), but at least there won't be as much of a wait compared to waiting for the next cohort if I do the ABSN route. But then another part of me is like "why waste my time when eventually I want to get a BSN".

I've been told by a few nurses that for someone such as myself, who has no medical experience, that "all you need is a basic nursing diploma". It also seems like once you're an RN/LPN, it's almost easier to get into a school to work on your BSN versus someone who doesn't have a license.

I'd like to bring this thread back up to the top and get everyone's take (current and previous BSN, ASN, Diploma students, etc.) on which is the more realistic way to go. Is there a difference between the courses you take when doing the ASN route versus the ABSN?

For those of you who have a BA/BS and did the ASN route, did/do you regret doing the ASN?

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