ADN...is it worth the time?

I currently have my ADN and have since june of last year. I live in Wisconsin and had a job up until October but was laid off due to the LTC facility needing to decrease workers due to financial strains. I of course was low man on the totem pole . I have since tried to find a job using my ADN and found that because I am not experienced enough and do not have my BSN I am not as an attractive candidate say like someone fresh out of school with their BSN. So I am returning to school for my BSN which I should have done in a year. Good Luck!!!

I am an ADN student in North Carolina. I often wondered the same thing, however, financially, my options were limited. In my area, many hospitals are no longer hiring ADNs or are hiring but giving a time frame for them to complete their BSN. My understanding is that once you've completed your ADN, you can continue to your BSN ONLINE. This includes only one year of theory classes that are almost ALL available online- at most schools. Not to mention that several hospitals in the area are providing satellite classrooms for nurses at the hospitals, to make it more convenient for them to obtain their BSN. (some are even providing it for free!).

My best advice, and what I decided for myself, was to obtain the ADN, pass the NCLEX and find a job. Maybe not my dream job, but a job that can financially support me while I obtain my BSN online. There are a lot of options for jobs, and to those concerned about not looking like an "attractive candidate," after minimal experience and loss of a job d/t economic issues in your town, YOU'RE GOING TO BE 'CHEAPER LABOR' (unfortunately) than a nurse with 20 years experience. So it is not all a negative. Just keep your head up and eyes open for opportunities, think outside of the box, there are so many opportunities for nurses, ADN or BSN!

Hay NeoNatMom where are you going for your nursing. I see you mention Atlanta. I have applied to Gwinnett tech and I'm about to take my entrance exam tommorrow as we speak. I'm not from their but will be relocating if I get in. I was just curious to see what college you were at.

I'm sorry antobias but I have to disagree....I live in an extremely small town and far away from a bigger city so others do look more "attractive" than I with their BSN. Just stating what I have experienced.

Really though...it's tough no matter what degree you have. Sadly.

I would highly suggest a BSN program right off the get go. However, that is not always possible.

You can always do ADN, then BSN.

The BIGGEST thing to consider is the accredidation status of the school/s you attend.

Many state run BSN programs will not accept ADN's from for profit schools such as Galen, ITT, Kaiser, etc etc etc,

caveat emptor

My friend is working as a public health nurse as a new ADN grad. Her friend/classmate got hired on as a critical care nurse as a new ADN grad as well.

i want to encourage you to go ahead and get the adn degree with the intention of getting a bsn at some point in the not too distant future. i received excellent training a an adn nurse and got a job in an icu at night as my first job experience. this was in 1974 and things have changed a lot. i did not earn a bsn until 1993 and on-line programs were almost non existent. the rn to bsn program was geared to the adult learner and i did not have to repeat my basic nursing classes. the rn to bsn program sort of picked up where we left off and focused on community health and leadership plus nursing theory and nursing research. they offered an intensive physical assessment class that i use every day. one thing, please don't wait as long s i did to go back to school either on line or campus based. it took me longer than usual to adjust to the rigors of studying and being disciplined enough to get the work done. i think the adn programs offer outstanding basic nurses training overall. best of luck. tom7044

I graduated with an ADN in 2009 in S. Texas and didn't have a problem getting a job immediately in the unit of my choice...NICU. Things are a bit harder now, I'm sure, but I'm happy with my path. I do have plans to soon (maybe) go back for my BSN (and eventually MSN). But in my part of the country, at least, the ADN is no hinderance.

I am in OKC and they don't care either way. BSN is in no way looked at any different or paid any different than a ADN. I have my ADN and work in ICU, where I have been for 5 years, which by the way I started out as an LPN in the same department. I really think it just depends where you live to be honest. I would encourage getting your ADN and then its one year online BSN and it mostly online from what I hear. That way it is a little cheaper, and you can go ahead and start making the big bucks to get you through. Good luck :)

Hi,

I live in Rochester Ny, I like most of my classmates at my ADN program were able to find jobs before we even graduated. I encourage you to enroll in an online program, most hospitals will be more lenient if they see you will earn it in less then a year. Also, you might want to consider other types of facilities in the mean time or even per diem work. From what I have seen most people relocate, get 3 years experience and their BSN and then right their own ticket. Its a sacrifice but so was nursing school.....Good Luck.