Does "BSN preferred" mean "ADNs need not apply"?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

Published

Curious what the general consensus is regarding the matter. Please weigh in.

Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

You must have a BSN when it says Required. Otherwise, you can apply.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I have witnessed associate degree RNs being hired into hospital systems that had preferences for BSN-educated nurses. A nurse with an ADN and the right personality, connections and/or mix of experience will see doors open.

It doesn't hurt to apply, and keep in mind that the person who writes the postings are often not the person doing the hiring, and they may not necessarily agree.

I worked at a facility where there was a hiring freeze on BSNs, only ADNs were being hired, yet all the postings said "BSN preferred". This is because the postings were written by a CNS, yet the hiring was done by unit managers.

I'm curious about the freeze on BSNs as well.

My facility says BSN preferred. They will hire ADNs but they must complete their BSN within 4 years of hire into the system.

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
That seems odd ...any idea what was behind it?

Maybe reputation of the schools?

Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
That seems odd ...any idea what was behind it?

Our ICUs stopped hiring BSNs for a long time because their turnover rate from nurses leaving after the first two years to CRNA school was crazy. It's still pretty rough for new nurses jumping on the NP ship too but now it's everybody and their dogs and cats!

I have wondered this too. So far, I've not heard back from any "BSN preferred" listings - AND I'm already enrolled in a BSN program (pending licensure, of course). I'm going to have someone look over my resume and cover letter, but I'm starting to feel discouraged.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
That seems odd ...any idea what was behind it?

I have no idea what WAS behind it, but I can guess.

My ICU is the "feeder unit" for the local CRNA program. Our turnover is tremendous -- some of our new grads are barely off orientation before putting in their resignations to go to anesthesia school, and one lamentable new grad had her orientation extended to an unprecedented NINE MONTHS -- and she left for anesthesia school a week or two before the projected end of her orientation. After years of continuously precepting, the preceptor group suggested to our manager than she hire ADNs in the hope that we'd get some value out of all of the orientation dollars we were spending. ADNs aren't actually candidates for anesthesia school until they've gotten BSNs.

I'm surprised the management did not have a 2 year employment commitment clause for the BSNs going to the ICU. That's what is required of new grad ADNs around here. Thanks for the comment.

Our ICUs stopped hiring BSNs for a long time because their turnover rate from nurses leaving after the first two years to CRNA school was crazy.

This doesn't surprise me at all. I have heard from HR at my hospital that ADNs have lower turnover. I work at a Magnet hospital in Chicago suburbs that hires ADNs and they are sticking to the job.

Specializes in PACU.

I just applied and accepted a position at a hospital that lists "BSN preferred" on all of their job postings. I will not even graduate with an ADN, but a diploma in nursing, and I was still considered by many units. I think I ended up doing 6 interviews before I decided to take the job I accepted. I find that hospitals that list "preferred" as opposed to "required" are open to everything outside of BSN as well--they just usually make you sign a contract that you will get a BSN in X amount of years. I have to start a BSN program within 2 years, and finish it in 5.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
I have wondered this too. So far, I've not heard back from any "BSN preferred" listings - AND I'm already enrolled in a BSN program (pending licensure, of course). I'm going to have someone look over my resume and cover letter, but I'm starting to feel discouraged.

Until you hold an RN license, you'll see that your wait will be unusually longer than most. When you find the "BSN preferred" positions, it is generally implied that the minimum is a valid RN license at the time of application.

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