Who is more likely to get hired? (For recruiters and HR)

Nurses Job Hunt

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Just wondering based on everyone's opinion and experience, but mainly i would love to hear from recruiters and HR reps...

I've been hearing that ritzy for-profit school grads are less likely to get hired than people from a state school. This got me wondering: who is more likely to get hired (assuming obviously that everything else is all the same)

1) someone who has a BA in health sciences and who has a masters in entry level nursing ( from a fancy expensive for-profit school)

2) someone who has a BA in health sciences and then got an ADN at community college followed by a BSN online

I got into a very expensive nursing program (it's an entry level masters) that will run at least $75,000 and I'm very nervous to take on that debt, especially since I'm constantly hearing that the fancy degree doesn't help my job opportunities, and in fact this degree is looked down on by recruiters.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any information based on either experience or knowledge of how the hiring process for nurses works

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Entry level MSNs are having a VERY hard time finding employment. I would strongly advise against it.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

In my area the entry level MSN have been poorly prepared for clinical nursing and have an attitude that bedside nursing is "beneath " them. Therefore the trend is resistant to hire ELM nurses in my area ( the main program is in the state is in trouble anyhow as the 1st time NCLEX pass rate for the ELM students is =85% pass rate)

An ASN/RN to MSN has a much better chance of getting hired especially if the nurse has strong clinical experience and a relevant masters.

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Wow guys thanks for the input!

I do think my program has a decent nclex pass rate and good reputation but I'm still super nervous based on your responses. I always thought employers didn't like online degrees which is why I was nervous to get my ADN and then finish my bsn online but I guess that's better and the expensive entry masters

Oh boy...

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

BSN online is a non issue especially if you are a working RN with a "traditional" ASN. In fact many employers encourage ASN/diploma RNs to upgrade their education to BSN via reputable online programs. Many highly respected traditional schools offer online RN to BSN programs now and the transcript does not differentiate online vs traditional classroom courses.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Completely agree with PPs about the entry-level MSNs... hiring managers are avoiding them in my area also.

As to the question about which grads are preferred... Organizations have their own data which reflects the 'quality' of new grad nurses, based upon their own hiring experiences so it is likely that they have already identified their preferred nursing programs. That's not to say that they only hire from these programs, but those grads would be given priority.

So - your odds of obtaining a new grad job are largely determined by the ones who were hired before you. If they demonstrated a willingness to learn, adapted well to the organization and stayed for a few years rather than running off as soon as possible.... it improves your chances.

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Y'know it's so funny to be hearing this.

The school has claimed over and over again that the entry level masters degree doesn't necessarily guarantee a higher salary, but if two people apply for the same job, preference will be given to the graduate with the masters level degree. That was the biggest allure to most students.

Glad in finding this all out now before it's too late ?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Personally, I am curious as to what for-profit school the OP considers to be "fancy/ritzy." The for-profit educational institutions are generally looked down upon. I don't know any that are considered superior to respectable non-profits.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

75K? Insanity.

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75K? Insanity.

It's actually $72k but I said $75k because i added in books and fees... Also tuition goes up every year 2-3% so I factored that in as well

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Personally, I am curious as to what for-profit school the OP considers to be "fancy/ritzy." The for-profit educational institutions are generally looked down upon. I don't know any that are considered superior to respectable non-profits.

Id rather not say the name of the school, but it's a brand new campus with a gym, restaurant, and other random amenities (that I honestly couldn't care less about) that's why I called it "ritzy/fancy"

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
Id rather not say the name of the school, but it's a brand new campus with a gym, restaurant, and other random amenities (that I honestly couldn't care less about) that's why I called it "ritzy/fancy"

There are plenty of universities with all of that, that do not cost 75k.

Sounds like a private school pricing without the recognition of one.

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