Is it me, or is an associates degree completely useless in 2016?? I live in NYC and graduated with my ADN and passed the nclex on the first try in late July. It seems like not having a BSN along with no experience gives me virtually zero chance of landing a job. Im applying everywhere, networking, calling, faxing, dropping off, you name it. Almost everywhere requires a BSN and 2 years of RN experience. I have about 1 year of volunteer experience at a local hospital, and am currently enrolled in a BSN program. The job market is so over-saturated. Nursing is just not the same as it was 10-15 years ago. Whenever I tell people i'm an RN, they always look shocked, slap hifives with me, tell me congratulations and that I have a great career ahead of me. But even after all that hard work in nursing school, I still can't see any light at the end of this tunnel. I truly hope that all that hard work and the $20,000+ in loans for nursing school will actually turn into a career someday. This is my 3rd degree (the other 2 are in different fields) but hopefully I didn't waste my time and money AGAIN. Any advice?
Is there any chance you can move upstate? Although the trend in the Capital Region is leaning towards favoring BSN applicants, many hospitals will hire ADN degree holders, especially if you are enrolled in a BSN program. In fact, most of the hospitals in this area require you to enroll in a BSN program within one year of hire.
Like others have said, it is regional. I had accepted an offer for a job before I graduated in May with my ASN. I started right away after passing NCLEX also on the first try. Most of my classmates also had jobs before leaving school. If you can relocate, look into other areas.
It may be hard in your area, but not everywhere. A hospital in my area has recently started hiring some LPN's, to my surprise (no, I'm not demeaning LPN's whatsoever - I just mean that they didn't hire them before).
Specializes in Telemetry, Step-Down, Med-Surg, LTC, PACU.
I have to agree with everyone here. I am a new nurse with only my ADN and literally ZERO medical experience in the background. Living in a decent size city, it was still difficult to find a position... especially if you are picky.
Several hospitals here have programs for new grad nurses (including ADN only) but require you get your BSN within so many years. The issue with this is that some hospitals only hire once a year to do a big training class/group... or that they simply take quite a while to get back in touch with you!
I finally accepted a position in LTC/Rehab and many of my peers I graduated did the same as they will snatch you up. The downside is, at least in my facility, I don't feel as though it's an incredibly ideal situation for a new nurse. A few days of orientation and they send you on your own with 20+ patients depending on which shift you take. You do have support, but other nurses and admin are busy as well so you literally have to take things as they come.
It sounds like your area but apply everywhere. If you have a specialty you want to work, you can always go into it later. I wanted to go into Mental Health and my peer ICU but we needed to get some experience and pay the rent.
It isn't a waste. Must depend on where you are and other factors. I have an Associates (for three years) and have been offered many jobs. Albeit many of them part time, but that doesn't have anything to do with my degree, it's more due to my desired shift.
Got a job at a magnet hospital as a new grad ADN in the NYC metro area. So yes, it is possible with much determination. Keep applying. Everywhere, even places you think you stand no chance. :)
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I'm in eastern NC and they are hiring ADN nurses. A others have said, you have to agree to complete your BSN within a certain time frame. Most offer some tuition assistance too.
Anyone even remotely considering attending nursing school in NYC needs to do some homework. Between facilities closing, mergers, reduction of inpatient beds, lower reimbursement rates and other reasons there just aren't as many jobs as there once was. Add to this the pain might not be over; several Brooklyn hospitals are really only open thanks to NYS aid, and the NYC municipal hospital system is bleeding red ink. Long story short the healthcare landscape is changing, but that seems not to have made an impression on nursing education.
Both in NYC, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey (local areas) places are churning out record numbers of graduates. Add to this the major healthcare networks like NYP can (and do) recruit nurses from all over the USA, so you can see already there are issues for new grads. Icing on the cake is like everywhere else many places don't want new grads, but seasoned nurses with at least one year experience.
Mount Sinai promises it will find work for all current nurses within their system as they wind down Beth Israel. However going forward that new 70 bed facility and stand alone UC center aren't likely to employ nearly as many nurses as the former 200+ bed facility that is closing. Even including the various other clinics and outpatient settings aren't likely to move that number much.
Any NYC resident considering becoming a nurse needs to seriously consider the possibility not only having to leave the area/state to find work as a new grad, but some portion of their career may be working in any other setting but hospital. LTC, rehab, outpatient, and home care may not be up everyone's street, but that is likely where the growth will be for RN jobs in NYC as the push to reduce inpatient stays and readmissions moves forward.
NYbabyRN, BSN, RN
95 Posts
Is there any chance you can move upstate? Although the trend in the Capital Region is leaning towards favoring BSN applicants, many hospitals will hire ADN degree holders, especially if you are enrolled in a BSN program. In fact, most of the hospitals in this area require you to enroll in a BSN program within one year of hire.