Am I wasting my time with an ASN?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm going to be applying to nursing school this year and have been watching a lot of YouTube videos and reading forums and it seems that the majority of these nurses say to go for a BSN. I was looking into an ASN program at my local community college, but am now wondering if this is not the best route. Will I be treated inferior because I have an associates and not a bachelors?

Any insight on nurses with associate's degrees?

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You need to look at the HR employment section of the hospitals you are considering for employment after you get the RN license. If they say "BSN preferred" you will have your answer. The same will be true if you see the hospital listed as having "Magnet Status" or applying for it. If you are in one of the "BSN in 10" states for the future of nursing, you might have difficulty finding employment with an Associates.

You can also try to network with nurses in your area to know what the trend is for nursing on the local scene.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

You may want to find out what the hospitals in your area are doing and what you want to do in the long run. Are the hospitals in your state magnet hospitals or going toward the magnet status, which requires them to hire nurses who have BSNs. I've heard many people say they'll get their ASN now, work for a while then go back for their BSN, but nowadays it's been tough landing a job forcing them to go back for their BSN quicker than later.

I received my BSN in a state where many hospitals were going magnet and therefore BSN was the entry level requirement for nurses. Any nurses who had been there for years were forced to go back for their BSN or be subject to termination. I moved out of state and the hospital I currently work for was in the process of hiring a new ANM (Assistant nurse manager) when I first started. There were a few awesome nurses on my unit who I thought would make excellent ANMs, however only the ones who had their BSNs were eligible to apply. And if you wanted to get transferred to the Children's or Women's Health hospitals in our system you must have your BSN. It took my former coworker 3 years to land a job at the children's hospital despite her 4 years of peds experience. She had to go back to school to get her BSN, watch for any openings, get an interview and then finally get hired and kissing our unit goodbye for her dream job as a peds nurse. So.... there's a lot for you to think about.

Sent via iPink RN's iPhone using allnurses.com

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What is a magnet hospital? I've never heard of that.

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Specializes in CVICU.
What is a magnet hospital? I've never heard of that.

ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®

Anyway, it depends on where you are in the country. I am in Oklahoma and every hospital I have looked at hires ASNs. I have never seen a job listing that says "BSN preferred". Most nurses I know only have their ASNs. The pay difference between an ASN nurse and a BSN nurse at a local major hospital is $0.50/hr. So take that how you will.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Definitely find out what the local hiring trends are in your area. Talk to nurses where you are. Where I am, a BSN is very helpful, but ASN/ADN-prepared nurses are finding work at the same rate.

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I would definitely look around and see what jobs near your area are requiring. I think ASN is a very good start. You can always work and try getting your bachelors online. I think what helped me was that I graduated with honors and actively participated with groups in schools. This will help you make contacts when you go job hunting. I got pretty lucky as one of the hospitals I had clinicals with hired me the next day I passed by NCLEX. I would recommend taking some prep courses. It just gives you a head start. One of the courses that I would highly recommend is from DR. Ross. You can click here. I hope this helps. :yes:

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Why not knock the ASN out in 18 months so you can start nursing and then begin the BSN program? It's only thirty and some-odd credits.

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There are only 4 magnet hospitals in my state (Louisiana) and I looked on their websites to see the hiring requirements and it says associate's or bachelor's, so I guess that answers my question. Thanks everyone!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Why not knock the ASN out in 18 months so you can start nursing and then begin the BSN program? It's only thirty and some-odd credits.

That doesn't mean it's only 18 months. A lot of ASN programs are the full 2 years even though it's only 30 some credits.

OP - if you have any inkling at all that you want to get your BSN, just get it out of the way now. Trying to go back after you have started working just adds stress to your life, and you never know what circumstances may prevent you from doing it later.

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In my personal opinion, no. See my thread here.

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