ADN vs. BSN

Oh, man, this has been debated and will continue to be debated for time eternal. I bet if you search the forums for NY/NJ ADN you'll start finding discussions.

I am looking to possibly take a 2 year Associates in nursing degree, and then take a online ADN to BSN program, I live in the NY/NJ area and am wondering if it is easy to get a job with only the associates?

Subject has been debated ad nauseum both here in the forum and within the profession in general.

For a more accurate picture of a local employment picture best to post your query in either one or both of the New York and New Jersey local forums.

Far as NYC especially Manhattan *generally* the pecking order seems to be new grads must have their BSN and or planning to obtain one within "X" amount of time. By this one must be able to show active pursuit such as already enrolled in a RN to BSN program and or acceptance into same. This seems to apply to all TOL NYC hospital systems such as Mount Sinai, NYP, NYU, and Lenox Hill. The last is part of the vast North Shore-Long Island Jewish hospital system which announced a year or so ago they would no longer hire ADN grads in favour of BSN only. Besides Lenox Hill two out of three hospitals on Staten Island are part of NS-LIJ so in theory they are off limits to ADN grads as well.

Currently and perhaps for the foreseeable future the new grad employment market in NYC is *VERY* tight and highly competitive. Many places that are looking for nurses seek experienced RNs which for a variety of reasons are in almost a surplus atm.

If for economic and or personal reasons you are limited to going for the ADN keep in mind your employment options post graduation and licensure maybe restricted to LTC, nursing homes, rehab, clinics, etc... Should you find such employment and continue on towards your BSN while working there is another Catch-22, many of the TOL hospital systems want recent *acute care* experience when looking for nurses. Thus your time spent working in the aforementioned areas may or may not suit and you can yourself back to square one.

In the NY area it does seem the "less desirable" areas of the state are willing to hire new ADN grads but that means moving upstate to places like Albany, Rochester and so forth.

Sorry for the long winded response but as one said at the start there isn't an easy answer to your query.

As an ADN in my state (Not NY) it's almost impossible to get a job.

I would gather that getting a job as a new grad even WITH a BSN in New York/New Jersey is difficult right now.

Subject has been debated ad nauseum both here in the forum and within the profession in general.

- AGREED!! While it has been beat to death, let me beat it a little more since I worked in NY and surrounding areas. DoGoodThenGo is right, The market is extremely tight and extremely competitive. I know NYP has a stipulation that you can apply with an ADN but you must be matriculated in a BSN program either when you are applying or within a certain time frame of employment. And unfortunately, and not to discourage to you but a lot of hospitals even outside the NYC have moved over to this model except for a few. I had experience and it still took me like 6 months and just about 12 different applications before I got an interview and then a job. Good luck with the job search. Sometimes getting that first job at a small community hospital is better than starting off at a massive institution. They tend to be more nurturing places than big hospitals. Just my 2 cents.

I would gather that getting a job as a new grad even WITH a BSN in New York/New Jersey is difficult right now.

It is VERY difficult getting a job even with a BSN. I graduated last may with my BSN and just got a job at a hospital I start in 2 weeks. Persistence is the key...good luck to those who are searching!