Confused in Georgia

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hello to all!! I am currently taking my prereq's. I keep hearing more and more people say that I need to acquire my Bachelors in Nursing rather than an Associates. I understand that there is only one NCLEX to pass for either degree. I also understand that there are fewer and fewer places that are hiring RN's without a Bachelors degree. I am torn because I have a degree in Healthcare Administration already and I wanted to obtain an Associates in Nursing. I wanted to know first hand from nurses currently working at hospitals in Georgia what is really going on. I was told that a very prestigious hospital here in Georgia fired all the Associate degree nurses. Is any of this true? If I must go onto to pursue my Bachelors degree which schools are the best. Mercer, Georgia State or Kennesaw Univ. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Specializes in ICU,corrections, LTC.

it really depends on where you want to work. if you are interested in working in and around atlanta, then i would say yes, bsn is the way to go. if however you would consider working in a more rural area, then an adn is a fairly quick way to get into nursing and start working. of course going on to further your education and getting your bsn would still need to be a goal. i graduated in may 2011 with my associates degree in nursing, passed my nclex the next month, 2 weeks after i started working in the local hospital in icu. not bad for a new grad with "just an associates." but i live and work in rural south ga, location makes a difference. but i enjoy the lifestyle of living in a rural area, not everyone does. remember, this is your life and your career: do it the way that works best for you!:):nurse:[quote=nurse2b7337;6014959]hello to all!! i am currently taking my prereq's. i keep hearing more and more people say that i need to acquire my bachelors in nursing rather than an associates. i understand that there is only one nclex to pass for either degree. i also understand that there are fewer and fewer places that are hiring rn's without a bachelors degree. i am torn because i have a degree in healthcare administration already and i wanted to obtain an associates in nursing. i wanted to know first hand from nurses currently working at hospitals in georgia what is really going on. i was told that a very prestigious hospital here in georgia fired all the associate degree nurses. is any of this true? if i must go onto to pursue my bachelors degree which schools are the best. mercer, georgia state or kennesaw univ. any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for your response. I live in Sandy Springs and I do not have the intention of moving to rural Atlanta not that I have a problem with it. I have always lived in a central location. I hear what you're saying though. So your suggestion is to go for the Bachelors??? Ok!!!!!!Congrats on starting work right out if school. Thanks for the feedback!!

Specializes in NICU,PICU, PCICU, and Peds ER.

I disagree, yes it is great to get your BSN but I wouldnt bother since you already have a degree in Health Administration, when you start applying for jobs they will take that into consideration. I am an Associate degree RN and i have yet to have a job not hire me. Also a fellow coworker of mine was an RT and she just finished her ASN and already was offered a nursing job before she graduated. I think that you will be fine. I have job offers all the time and I have never been told by any hospital that I NEED my BSN. I have had interviews and received plenty of offers from many of the hospitals here in Atlanta. Good luck, I hope it all works out well for you.

With so many hospitals, etc. in the ATL area a BSN is not needed to get hired - though some places require one for management positions though more and more they are looking for Masters...w/your other degree you will have no problem getting hired w/an AD degree in nursing. You can always go back for your BSN if you want at a later date

Thanks quittaRN this is what I was looking for. Thanks so much for the encouragement!!!

marshall1 thanks for your response a you a new graduate?

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