Will i have the same chances of being hired if i get a ADN?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I'm doing the nursing program at a community college, and its for a ADN. Does anyone have a ADN or know anyone with it? Do you guys think i'll have the same chance of getting hired just like a BSN would? I'm from Maryland ( if this helps?) :(

I am not anti-BSN, but I am just trying to point out that a degree ( ASN, BSN) level does not equal a good nurse.

I don't think anyone here is maintaining that a BSN degree automatically makes one a "good" nurse (or even a better nurse), but there is no disputing that having a BSN rather than an ADN gives one a wider range of professional opportunities within nursing.

And let's not forget that there is a pay differential between ADN, BSN, and MSN's. I think pooh-pooh-ing higher degrees isn't a good idea; encouraging higher degrees and obtaining them is a great idea.

Specializes in NICU.
As a ADN-prepared nurse you will have the same opportunities as a BSN-prepared nurse. Those hospitals that claim that they prefer a nurse with a BSN are simply stating the frivolous requirement as a way to make their facility seem more appealing and/or equipped with highly skilled medical professionals. I will bet money that those same hospitals are staffed with 50% or more ADN-prepared nurses. Go for your ADN with confidence, because having a BSN does very little for nurses as it relates job opportunities, salary, and competency in nursing skills.

My hospital is one that will state a preference for BSN prepared nurses. Yes, we still have a significant percent ADN nurses. HOWEVER, this includes many nurses who have been working there for 20-30 years. If you were to look solely at the nurses hired in the last 5-10 years, nowhere near 50% of them have ADNs. Coming in as a new grad, you will find in some places a preference toward BSN prepared nurses, but (in a better economy) this should not preclude you from finding a great job and lots of options in your career. As another poster said, nurses who have been around for many years have been able to do many things in nursing without a BSN, but a young nurse now will find, if he or she ventures out in many areas of nursing, that there are some limitations without a BSN.

Specializes in NICU.
The overall point her is, with experience anything is possible regardless of your degree. One's degree does not determine his or her capabilities and aspirations in the nursing profession. Once one gain the respect and skill to be a good nurse then the sky is the limit.

I would not get hung-up on magnet hospitals because at the end the day no matter where you work the ultimate goal is too provide care to ill people. I am sure the most important thing is getting a job and being satisfied with the pay.

" The hospital does not make the Nurse"

Research your area,and stick with your plan because you will get a multitude of opinions here which will confuse you and make you more indecisive.

With all due respect, this is false information. First of all, anything is not possible just because you have experience. There are roles that require advanced degrees, certifications, or other credentials. Getting a few years of experience does not suddenly make me a nurse practitioner or a wound ostomy nurse or anything else that I might dream of. The fact is, there are many, many options for the ADN prepared nurse, but not ANYTHING is possible just by gaining experience. I see you are not yet a nurse, so perhaps once you have gained this golden experience you speak of, you can come back and tell us what you've learned.

Also, the most important things are not necessarily having a job and being satisfied with the pay. It should matter if you enjoy what you do, if the facility gives you the staff and resources you need to provide safe quality care, if you know what you're doing, if you have a good team working with you. I would rather be unsatisfied with my pay but have the above things any day. This may not be true for everyone. I know that magnet has become sort of a joke in some ways, but the things they say they stand for are good things. The hospital doesn't make the nurse entirely, but, especially as a new grad, it sure has a lot to do with out. The hospital gives you your sea legs, teaches you much of what you know, and sets a precedent for your future. This is why many nurses have difficulty adjusting to the second job of their career because they have grown up in a certain hospital that does things certain ways. That said, a good facility with good orientation and support goes a long way in making a good nurse.

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