ADN or BSN?

direw0lf, BSN · Aug 22, 2017

There's so many ADN vs BSN threads that I didn't want to read this and clicked it by accident, then saw you have a unique situation. That could be why you got no replies yet though.

My advice would be to look at the hospitals near you and find on their websites about nursing and if it states BSN required after X amount of years of being hired. The hospital websites I've looked at for my areas state 3 years to get a BSN, you can also look under careers and search RN sometimes in the job description they will also stipulate if "BSN preferred" or required in X years. That will give you an idea about how competitive the hospitals are, and also look up reviews for the hospital at Glassdoor Job Search | Find the job that fits your life written by nurses who work/have worked there.

Your age alone is viewed as a disadvantage unfortunately, but keep in mind, you can start off in rehabs or LTC facilities with an ADN to get experience and money and a better shot at being hired at an acute care setting if that's your desire. (disclaimer: I don't live in California, just trying to help)

melodywei, ADN · Aug 22, 2017

There's so many ADN vs BSN threads that I didn't want to read this and clicked it by accident, then saw you have a unique situation. That could be why you got no replies yet though.
My advice would be to look at the hospitals near you and find on their websites about nursing and if it states BSN required after X amount of years of being hired. The hospital websites I've looked at for my areas state 3 years to get a BSN, you can also look under careers and search RN sometimes in the job description they will also stipulate if "BSN preferred" or required in X years. That will give you an idea about how competitive the hospitals are, and also look up reviews for the hospital at Glassdoor Job Search | Find the job that fits your life written by nurses who work/have worked there.
Your age alone is viewed as a disadvantage unfortunately, but keep in mind, you can start off in rehabs or LTC facilities with an ADN to get experience and money and a better shot at being hired at an acute care setting if that's your desire. (disclaimer: I don't live in California, just trying to help)

Thank you so much for the suggestion about going to hospital websites and checking their job descriptions! I will do that.

Helena21 · Oct 14, 2017

Regarding ADN, I use to work at a small hospital in West Covina that hires new grad RNs with just adn. It's called West Covina medical center (its off the 10 freeway on orange) and they have a Med surg unit and sub acute. You'd have to apply in person though. I have had many fellow co workers that were new grads there for a year or two who later applied to bigger hospitals after they had some experience.

melodywei, ADN · Oct 14, 2017

Regarding ADN, I use to work at a small hospital in West Covina that hires new grad RNs with just adn. It's called West Covina medical center (its off the 10 freeway on orange) and they have a Med surg unit and sub acute. You'd have to apply in person though. I have had many fellow co workers that were new grads there for a year or two who later applied to bigger hospitals after they had some experience.

Thank you for your information. I live close to West Covina. I am still thinking about the question.

Tajin · Oct 14, 2017

I'm from Los Angeles and live close by to Mt. Sac so maybe I can help. From my personal experience: students around L.A. usually go straight for the BSN if they're accepted into a BSN program. I have spoken to admission counselors at my local community colleges who have voiced the same experiences. If you have a 4.0 in nursing prereqs I would go ahead and try applying for CSULA and CSULB's BSN programs. They accept 2nd degree students into their traditional BSN program which is 2 years in length. You'll pay the undergrad tuition. The cost of tuition at CSULA is roughly $3k a semester so if your BSN is 6 semesters (fall-summer-spring x2) it'll cost you around $20k. The price of an ADN+ RN-BSN is about the same as one of these 2nd degree traditional BSN programs. However, you'll complete your BSN a year earlier.

Anyways, back to your question. Yes, you can find a job with "just" an ADN. It might not be what you want, but it'll be a paying job. I have heard of many LTC/SNFs hiring new grad RNs. This route would limit your opportunities but you will save money especially since you have 3 kids to take care of. The ADN program might be your only option at this point because you're limited financially.