ADN's being pushed out

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

Published

I work for a large Magnet hospital. As nursing becomes more popular, and nurses not in short supply, I have noticed something ominous has being going on lately. Several of our older and very seasoned ADN nurses are being fired. The excuses for firing are ridiculous. I have sadly seen some excellent nurses lose their jobs. I am wondering if they want to get rid of the ADNs so they can look "better" with an all BSN staff. Or perhaps they want rid of older nurses who have been there longer because they are higher on the pay scale. Either way, it is very scarey. I myself am BSN, and i am not ashamed to say that what I know does not hold a candle to these fired nurses. Any thoughts?

I think what he's talking about is cases where hospitals hire a new grad BSN over an experienced ADN.

EXACTLY. And this IS going on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The lawsuits will start to come from patients receiving poor care due to these morons in hospital management who'd rather hire BSNs with little or no experience over Associate's and diploma prepared nurses with many years of experience. I am already hearing from patients and nurses in the Phila. area about horrendous things are getting in the hospitals. Is the well-being of patients worth sacrificing so hospitals can get that coveted government stipend after paying the ANA thousands of dollars for what many feel nurses fell is a contrived seal of approval call Magnet Status? I have contacted the media about this nonsense and was asked if other nurses would be willing to speak up.

I would! I want to participate in change. I'm for hiring BSNs, but as I've stated before, not all at once...off with the old, in with the new. That's just....so terrible, I can't think of words to explain it. Again, there HAS to be a balance. And more hospitals need to bring back year long new grad residency programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I think what he's talking about is cases where hospitals hire a new grad BSN over an experienced ADN.

I think people final to realize that hospitals are often holding onto their experience ADNs, and in order to increase their ratio, they make their new hires BSNs. They aren't really pushing out their current ADNs and they are actually protecting them by hiring BSNs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I think people final to realize that hospitals are often holding onto their experience ADNs, and in order to increase their ratio, they make their new hires BSNs. They aren't really pushing out their current ADNs and they are actually protecting them by hiring BSNs.

^This...this is going on in my area. My preceptor is a ADN, and I an a BSN (LPN first)...It is a learning experience, sometimes even for my preceptor. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I would! I want to participate in change. I'm for hiring BSNs, but as I've stated before, not all at once...off with the old, in with the new. That's just....so terrible, I can't think of words to explain it. Again, there HAS to be a balance. And more hospitals need to bring back year long new grad residency programs.

^My area has a TON of new grad residencies...they last 1-2 years to make sure that there is retention, and the new grad is in the clinical ladder position to be an experienced beginner-Benner's theory. They value their ADNs, a lot who have been able to return to school, who are exceptional leaders, that have the chance to now move up the clinical ladder as a BSN and MSN. Many educational leaders were ADN/DN nurses first, and went up the clinical ladder within 10 years of their practice, and went back and furthered their education...most have been there for 15-20 years total. I think they are awesome in making sure that we transition into the hospital successfully.

In my studies in my LPN and BSN programs, whether they were a ADN/DN or a BSN first, they were extremely knowledgeable, and prepared my cohorts and I to be prepared on the evolution of our profession. And they were correct.; in my state, the LPN and RN scopes of practice require a lot of autonomy and knowledge and skills to be on point. Clients are more and more complex, and they need our knowledge whether in the community or in a facility...the change has ALREADY arrived. I saw it when they phased out LPNs in acute care, and the complex care I had to do in a faculty and in the community setting. It was happening.

As for myself, I am in a new grad residency program; it is automatic as a new grad. My preceptor is a ADN, while I am a BSN. They are NOT trying to push her out, etc, etc. She is also a resource on the unit. While I am learning, she has said to me, she is learning some things from me, from my educational background, and experience, although I am a new grad.

From what I have seen in my area, ADNs are able to retain their jobs; it's the new ADNs or the ones who were out of work that are having difficulty, no one has been pushed out in favor of a NEW BSN...even new BSNs are waiting to get into a new grad program, hell, A JOB period! If they are having difficulty or the threat of losing their job, I find that it is more towards their resistance in furthering their education, DESPITE the hospital having funding to send these nurses to school, even for 2-3 semesters, where they won't go into debt. There is a culture of calling the BSN the "BS" nurse, when in fact, is NOT the case; yet they harbor that school of thought, which is unfortunate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think people final to realize that hospitals are often holding onto their experience ADNs, and in order to increase their ratio, they make their new hires BSNs. They aren't really pushing out their current ADNs and they are actually protecting them by hiring BSNs.

Not everywhere. We have heard on here of experienced ADNs being pushed out. I never said that is the case in all hospitals. Along the same lines, when I started at my first LTC position, the DON told me they were intentionally getting rid of the LPNs and hiring new grad RNs. So what did they do? Have me precept with an experienced LPN, then kicked them to the curb. In the 2 months I was there, I know at least 3 LPNs they let go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
^My area has a TON of new grad residencies...they last 1-2 years to make sure that there is retention, and the new grad is in the clinical ladder position to be an experienced beginner-Benner's theory. They value their ADNs, a lot who have been able to return to school, who are exceptional leaders, that have the chance to now move up the clinical ladder as a BSN and MSN. Many educational leaders were ADN/DN nurses first, and went up the clinical ladder within 10 years of their practice, and went back and furthered their education...most have been there for 15-20 years total. I think they are awesome in making sure that we transition into the hospital successfully.

In my studies in my LPN and BSN programs, whether they were a ADN/DN or a BSN first, they were extremely knowledgeable, and prepared my cohorts and I to be prepared on the evolution of our profession. And they were correct.; in my state, the LPN and RN scopes of practice require a lot of autonomy and knowledge and skills to be on point. Clients are more and more complex, and they need our knowledge whether in the community or in a facility...the change has ALREADY arrived. I saw it when they phased out LPNs in acute care, and the complex care I had to do in a faculty and in the community setting. It was happening.

As for myself, I am in a new grad residency program; it is automatic as a new grad. My preceptor is a ADN, while I am a BSN. They are NOT trying to push her out, etc, etc. She is also a resource on the unit. While I am learning, she has said to me, she is learning some things from me, from my educational background, and experience, although I am a new grad.

From what I have seen in my area, ADNs are able to retain their jobs; it's the new ADNs or the ones who were out of work that are having difficulty, no one has been pushed out in favor of a NEW BSN...even new BSNs are waiting to get into a new grad program, hell, A JOB period! If they are having difficulty or the threat of losing their job, I find that it is more towards their resistance in furthering their education, DESPITE the hospital having funding to send these nurses to school, even for 2-3 semesters, where they won't go into debt. There is a culture of calling the BSN the "BS" nurse, when in fact, is NOT the case; yet they harbor that school of thought, which is unfortunate.

I feel like in a couple of posts I'm being somewhat attacked for simply repeating what I've heard experienced ADNs say about their experience. Anyway, I live in Chicago, and I can only think of 2 at the moment new grad residencies. One in the suburbs for Advocate, the other Lures Children's hospital. The other hospitals will sometimes hire new grad ADNs if they are currently pursuing their BSNs. But it seems the BSNs are having almost just as tough a time finding employment. One of the problems with Chicagoland hospitals (as far as getting hired) is that there are mainly a few systems with a bunch of hospitals within that system

For example: Adventist includes Bolingbrook, La grange, Hinsdale etc... if one won't hire you, none of the other ones will either because they have the same requirements.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I want so badly to get into Luries Children's. I've been working in a pediatricians office for 6 months, and am trying to get any bedside experience I can. Once I finish my BSN, I can't wait to apply.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Not everywhere. We have heard on here of experienced ADNs being pushed out. I never said that is the case in all hospitals. Along the same lines, when I started at my first LTC position, the DON told me they were intentionally getting rid of the LPNs and hiring new grad RNs. So what did they do? Have me precept with an experienced LPN, then kicked them to the curb. In the 2 months I was there, I know at least 3 LPNs they let go.

The issue with LPNs is different from ADNs though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

The issue with LPNs is different from ADNs though.

^I wonder how this is different??

I remember graduating from my PN program and the rumbling of not hiring LPNs...and the push of strictly staffing RNs and techs...the hospital I worked for did not hire me, even for outpatient work...the hospital told ADNs that they are going to give a 5 year reprieve to the BSN in 10. This particular hospital in my area is desiring to ensure the BSN in 10 is going to be in place. I am sure these nurses are unhappy...but if there are ADNs who are more likely to get laid off like a children's hospital in my area did to the LPNs about 3 years ago (silently) I don't think it would be as different, but I could be wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I feel like in a couple of posts I'm being somewhat attacked for simply repeating what I've heard experienced ADNs say about their experience.

^In what ways?? The thing about nursing is that areas are different, as well as the person who is practicing can have a different experience...

My hope is to clarify that there are places in the country that value their ADNs...and...just don't want to hire new grads, so in turn, we are still all in this together in regards of the challenges in beginning and maintaining our career.

I have endured much in the inner banner of what constitutes a "nurse" for over 10 years, the comments from patients, coworkers, etc...In my neck of the woods, it has gotten better, but I am not blind to those struggles for others who continue to have the same struggles.

My area has yet to lay off their ADNs...they have done that to LPNs though..I have experienced it and you stated in another post that you have seen it in your area.

The fact remains, once they started phasing LPNs out in acute care (just speaking about my experience, nothing MORE), I saw the writing on the wall. My metro area has a dozen hospitals with Magnet status ALONE, and in the past 20 years have shrunk the amount of area hospitals by 50%. I was told by nurses that I would NOT find a job, and to give up on nursing. I (gratefully IMO) did not listen to these nurses, but respecting what they were "warning" me about, I paid attention to the changes, and rolled with them, being fully aware of how healthcare was being completely taken over by the corporate arena. That's what I mean when the change is NOW.

There is such havoc being wrecked on nurses, but our profession is too diverse for us to pack it all up and be obliterated. I think there will be a change in the entry of practice, but for those who are ADNs I think will be able to be board-certified and enter the clinical ladder. It would cripple the system if all ADNs would be laid off, and the liability would be too much, not just from patients, but from the NURSES. There is only so much these corporate administrators can do without being fined for these outlandish practices, and if that means making enough noise to go up against the practices, I am in support of that, wholeheartedly, even if the system needs to be challenged, as it has been in the past. There are still LPNs in practice; I am sure we (speaking as a LPN first, then RN) will stick around as much as the ADN. There is still plenty of room for all of us :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

^I wonder how this is different??

Just from the perspective there is a scope of practice difference between LPN and RN. It's not just about degrees.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment