Will BSN get jobs over ASN in this recession?

In my area where the hospitals are either getting or have gotten magnet status, they need BSN & MSN nurses to do it. The biggest frustration for me is that the way the applications are set up. The question is:"Do you have a BSN?" So if you bridged from ADN to MSN, you have to answer "no" and don't even get a chance for the job! I believe there is a clear place for the ADN nurse. Do we really need all BSNs at the bedside? I don't think so. Also, as they push us to get higher and higher degrees, we are still working for the same pay! Just so you know, I am one of those nurses bridging to MSN.
BTW, there was a manager who actually refused to hire an MSN b/c she didn't have a BSN!! What kind of sense does that make?

WELL, I think when that question is asked on the application...I would explain in small print that you are in a MSN program. But actually for now, you do NOT have a BSN as asked. So in reality...you just have the ADN degree at this time. Who knows if one would finish the MSN...so I can see that managers point. This manager wants all of her nurses to be at least the BSN desgree.....It should be an incentive for all nurses to go and obtaint the BSN....I get more pay for having mine....And unless you just want to be a floor nurse your entire career...then you will need the BSN

You can't do small print b/c it is an online application. Even if you go to the facility to apply, you must do it on a computer. I guess my main point was that I have friends with MSNs who don't have BSNs but the system doesn't allow them to give that information until the end of the application. Most times, you would have been ruled out based on the "front end" of the application. My second point was that I don't think you necessarily need a BSN to be a bedside nurse. Also, not all hospitals pay more for either advanced degrees or certifications. Some make it up in the clinical ladder program which I think is fair. In our area, you will not be able to advance to Level IV without either a BSN or a certification. I think this is fair. You should be recognized for your education.

After reading most of the posts I do agree that eventually, down the road, most hospitals will look at BSN grads vs ADN grads. I guess I am still vague on what a "magnet" hospital is and what this has to do with only hiring BSN nurses. Please enlighten me. After 32 years of nursing with only a ADN I have considered possibly getting my BSN, but I can't afford a pay cut! I only have about 7 years of reall fulltime work and then I plan on cutting back quite a bit. So with the investment of obtaining my BSN, how long will I really have to work for it to pay off? I doubt I would be squeezed out or denied a position because I didn't have a BSN , but that is only because of long term experience with a great employment track record. I know having an advanced degree would open a few doors for me, but I am not sure what I would really do with it. There are many positions out there that don't require the degree as much as having that experience. Anyone just getting into nursing should set their sights high and get the BSN or MSN because I feel eventually that will be a requirement to be a nurse. Certain organizations have for many years tried to make this the entry level only to lose year after year but will win one day and everyone should be prepared for it. There are those who only want to work as a floor nurse instead of sitting behind a desk or walking around in a lab coat looking important.

I have found in my location that many hospitals are putting "BSN preferred" in their advertisements. Some of my classmates went to an open house at a very large and well known pediatric hospital and were basically told that it was a waste of time for them to even consider applying with only an ADN.

I think the handwriting is on the wall, most nurses will need at least a BSN. The same think is going on in the area where I live. Now is the time to get that degree!

Even when I started thinking about applying to nursing school I have always had it in my mind to go back after a year or 2 to get my BSN and possibly MSN. Infact, I plan to put in my application for a RN to MSN program in February.

Good for you! Go right for the MSN. That is where it is all headed.

Yes, the handwriting IS on the wall. 20 years ago they kept talking about this, how you would need a BSN. NOW the time is here. Hence why I returned in 2003 after working with an AA degree and obtained my BSN. My job pays a little more for that BSN. So I am glad I got it. I just might return for the MSN...

Officially it is called the Magnet Recognition Program
In a nutshell, the hospital (or long term care facility) is focusing on nursing and nursing care. One of the main requirements is that the site have a high proportion of BSN prepared nurses and that there is a high retention rate. The CNO must also be a RN with a minimum of a BSN or MSN - though many have PhDs...

These links have more complete information:
- http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/faq/m...ggestions.html
- http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Ma...etProgram.aspx

Anyway some interesting stuff... I feel the goal of BSN requirement is not to discredit associate degree RNs, but rather it is an effort to lift the WHOLE profession to a new level. I am sure a similar debate happened when diploma programs were phased out - they just didn't have the internet to post opinions on.