Question about education...bsn/rn

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2005

Phone a few nurse recruiters at various hospitals & even ask to talk to the nurse managers to answer some of your questions. Many will hire an ADN grad, but want you to get certifications later (and they may require BSN). I would think it depends on local market. Ask the people who do the hiring.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2005

I agree, call the nursing recruiters at the hospitals you're interested in. Neither ADN nor BSN programs really prepare you for NICU, so that's not a problem there. BSN programs almost always have a final clinical that the student chooses in the area he/she is most interested in - and many NICU hopefuls of course choose NICU. I'm not sure if ADN programs do this. Also, some hospitals prefer to hire BSN grads into ICU and ADN grads onto the floor - not that I'm saying this is a good thing, because I think that's ridiculous - but I'm just saying sometimes you see this.

Most likely, you'll be fine getting your ADN and shouldn't have trouble finding a NICU job right out of school. But still, call those hospitals.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 17, 2005

I agree, call the nursing recruiters at the hospitals you're interested in. Neither ADN nor BSN programs really prepare you for NICU, so that's not a problem there. BSN programs almost always have a final clinical that the student chooses in the area he/she is most interested in - and many NICU hopefuls of course choose NICU. I'm not sure if ADN programs do this. Also, some hospitals prefer to hire BSN grads into ICU and ADN grads onto the floor - not that I'm saying this is a good thing, because I think that's ridiculous - but I'm just saying sometimes you see this.
Most likely, you'll be fine getting your ADN and shouldn't have trouble finding a NICU job right out of school. But still, call those hospitals.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

I've worked in several NICU's over the years and agree with the above post. Some BSN programs give students the opportunity to have a special, in-depth experience in one area during their senior year. If that is an option, then it is to your advantage to do that. Also, some BSN students have the opportunity to do an "externship" in the summer in-between their junior and senior year. Again, such an experience in a NICU would be to your benefit.

While a few ADN programs allow provide such opportunities, they are less common. Other than that, the job opportunities right after graduation are not that much different for ADN's and BSN's. It's later that the degree comes into play -- unless you have those in-depth opportunities I mentioned earlier.

llg

Kaseyrn2b · Feb 18, 2005

Thanks for your input! I will call around next week to get a feel for the hiring practices. I live in NC...city/area of over 1 million, so there are many hospitals here...two teaching. Thanks again!

NoCrumping · Feb 18, 2005

Hello!
Long time lurker here. I love this forum, thanks to all of you who post and help people like myself get a view into your world. Since, from everything I've read, nothing really prepares you for the NICU...do you think it makes a difference whether I get my AS diploma-RN or BSN to begin with? I am a 30 yr old w/ 2 kids and a BS in psych and Bio. I have been working part-time in prenatal genetic testing for the last 6 yrs. The consensus in this area, from others who have been thru the nursing programs is that the comm college exp. offers more clinical time. However both universities that offer nursing programs near me are top notch, top ten of most "lists". The biggest difference for me is that I have a 2 yr old, so money is a key factor as I'll need childcare. Guess what I am asking is; is it worth the extra money (about 10k total) for the BSN. I know this is a topic debated often, I just haven't seen it in relation to NICU nursing...
Also...for future ref, would it be advisable to go to a level 4 NICU to start? Seems intimidating, but great exp...just curious :)
Thank You!!

Actually, most people I know/ work with dont have a BSN, but have a nursing degree, with a BS say, in biology.... like yourself..and that is usually enough.. just the fact that you have a bachelors. My experience, you dont even need a bachelors degree to succeed in NICU, it isnt required in most places, and wont prepare you any better... NICU is another world, and the only thing that helps you there is experience IN the NICU. If you didnt allready have a BA, I would deffinitely tell you to just go to a BSN program, because of the threat of that being entry level to practice. BUt, at least in my state, if even that would become a reality, it would be ANY bachelors, not specifically a bachelors in Nursing. Sooooo....If I were you, I would get my adn, apply to a NICU, level 3's are usually easier to come by...and as far as starting there right off./ depends on you... I wanted to start right away on the critical ones, but some people want experience with healthy newborns first, like in mother/baby, one of my friends did that. Oh, and by the way, you deffinitely get waaaaaaaaaay more clinical experience in a adn program, but again, in my opinion, it wont really give you a "leg up" in NICU. I was floored when I started NICU, I remember saying to myself that I could have been a nurse, say in adult med /surg, for 10 years and I would still be lost when I walked onto a NICU.its really that different.,...... Good Luck to you.......you have 2 BS degrees... in related fields.....good for you:) :balloons: just go and get your RN with an adn program... and dont look back when running to the NICU!!!!