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Discussion

ADN vs. BSN - Work Experience Matters Right?

Hello,

I've read many threads and heard horror stories about RNs not getting jobs after getting their BSN. I'm wondering if it has to do with on-the-job experience. I'm trying to decide on the best way to go and come out with the most experience. I want and need to be competitive in the job market. Option A: Get my ADN at a tech college (saves $$$), work as an RN, then go for the RN-BSN program at a 4yr college/university. This might take much longer though. Option B: Go to a 4yr college and get the BSN without any prior work experience in a medical setting. This should be a no brainer, but I could be missing something. Are there any ways to gain experience while getting the BSN without prior medical experience of any kind? My first thought is to go with the ADN, but you all might know something I don't.

Thanks In Advance

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    • Featured Replies

    You can volunteer, do an internship/externship program. As long as it is direct patient care it is considered to be experience. Best thing of course is get some connections in a hospital whether it be during clinicals, professor's, preceptorships ect. There are also some hospitals that have new grad programs for nurses. I think you're missing the point though. There is not much educational difference between ADN and BSN besides a few non-clinical courses. With your ADN you still are an RN and they still require you to have experience like BSN grads. If they aren't hiring BSN's they aren't going to be hiring ADN's, they're just not hiring ANY kind of new grad RN's without experience, it has nothing to do with the degree type.

    Don't do the ADN thinking you'll get a job quicker because you won't. People usually get ADN's because it's cheaper, they can LOOK for a job a lot sooner and IF they can find a job they can work to pay off their BSN or have the hospital pay for it. It is NOT easier to find a job.

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    • Experts

    You can probably work as a nursing assistant (or nursing extern) while you get your BSN. You may have to take a 6-week CNA course ... but maybe not, depending upon your local area.

    You may be able to do a summer nursing student externship in between your junior and senior year of the BSN program.

    A lot depends on the particular opportunities available in your local area. But a lot of BSN students find work doing patient care in hospitals while they are students. Those experiences help them find RN jobs after graduation (but are no guarantee).

    Some hospitals prefer to hire BSN's and some will hire ADN's in equal numbers. That tends to vary by locality, too. But if your local employers hire lots of ADN's, then the ADN can be a good way to start your nursing career as it gets you into the job market sooner and may give you the opportunity for financial assistance for completing your BSN later.

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    • Author

    @ GuiltySins...Thanks for the clearing that up for me. If what you say is true, then I need to do the ADN first. @ llg...Thanks I'm going to look for a local CNA program so I can get some experience. I would feel more confident :cool: if I gained experience before starting any nursing degree program.

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