Am I wasting my time going for my ADN?

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I am freaking out here...I am currently enrolled in a few prerequisites that an advisor told me I needed in order to apply for 2013 Associate Nursing Degree program. I started classes on Monday. After mentioning my plans in my communications class the teacher said the there are no longer job opportunities with an AS degree. I asked a friend of mine who is almost done with her bachelors and she said it was just the one of the health systems in our area that are requiring the BS. Does this happen alot? Am I wasting my time only going for my associates?

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Specializes in ICU.

There are opportunities out there for ADN nurses. However, they may not be in the hospitals or specialties that you are looking for. Yes, there are some health systems that prefer to hire nurses with a BSN, but they aren't every system and it somewhat depends on the area of the country you are living in. Also remember that there is no nursing shortage at this time, and you may be applying for positions in competition with BSN nurses. There are quite a few factors to consider when looking at the ADN vs BSN debate. I would look at the online job postings from hospitals in your area to see which degree they prefer.

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An established RN friend of mine advised me that I wise in pursuing my BSN because a healthcare system in my current state (Maryland) is having their ADN RNs go back for their BSNs or get let go. Why not go for the projected need, you know? Here's some good news, I'm currently working on my pre-reqs at a community college. I've finished my first year and I plan on working through fall, winter, spring, and summer 1 & 2 semesters to finish. I was just told by one of the nursing preceptors that they're doing a hybrid program this fall where students will do clinicals on campus (they have a great program) while annexing with another state university to graduate with their BSNs at the same time. It's highly possible that could develop for you as well. Just make sure you network with your nursing department staff. There are also externship positions where you could work at a hospital and they could help pay for your classes while you're in clinicals so that you can get your BSN, which is what I think my route will be.

Good luck, hope this helps. :specs:

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WHAT, TEXAS is starving for nurses. I worked in an ICU with majority of the RN's had an ADN. It just depends where you live and the need for an RN.

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Specializes in Maternity.

It must be where you live. I live in NY and know that NYC is brutal for ADN nurses but, upstate is very generous.

Its best to research your area and see what's in demand. Where I lived, BSN wasn't really an issue so I went for the cheaper alternative.

Good luck to you!

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Many nurses that work as ADNs now have earned their degree prior to the horrific economy we are currently facing. They have experience so they will still find jobs and location matters too. But generally new nurses today will have MUCH better odds finding work with a BSN due to competition and saturation in the Nursing field.

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This is the reason why I love this website! It's all current with up to date information. Thx OP for posting this for all to see and contribute to.

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WHAT, TEXAS is starving for nurses.

That would be news to the new grads in Houston, Dallas, Austin, etc who cannot find work. Starving? Perhaps in more rural, less-desirable parts of the State? But it appears not the case in the cities.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
WHAT, TEXAS is starving for nurses. I worked in an ICU with majority of the RN's had an ADN. It just depends where you live and the need for an RN.

No...we are not. Maybe in the rural areas, but the major metro areas are full of unemployed new grads.

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I think ADNs are great, but I live in Maryland where it is true they are asking ADNS to go back for the BSN. I am going for the BSN anyways. It could help if you do a bridge program after your ADN.

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Steph: you owe me a beer! lol....

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Fellow Maryland here. Thanks for the tip, Zoe and ARCTX! I'm going for my ADN and had always planned to pursue the BSN when I had time - now I'll just have to bump that up on my priorities list a bit.

I work with several ADNs right now, BTW. We're all talking about pursuing our BSNs together in a few years. The nice thing is that, at least where I work, tuition reimbursement is a definite possibility for going back to school. So if you do get your ADN right now, OP, you might be able to expect some help in going back to school later on, depending on your employer.

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