Any RN working in L&D with only an ADN??

GM2RN · Aug 28, 2010

The statement that ADN grads pick things up faster than BSN grads isn't a personal opinion. It is a direct opinion from multiple hospital directors and administrators at three different hospitals in three different states. After reviewing the curriculum, I can't fathom how the degree would make the slightest bit of difference in bedside nursing so I'm at a complete loss as to why it matters what degree you have. I'm actually one class shy of completing a local RN-BSN program and I haven't even started my ADN program yet and I guarantee you none of the classes I took that count towards the RN-BSN program are remotely relevant to bedside nursing.

I think I'd need substantive proof that "multiple hospital directors and administrators" prefer an ADN because "ADN grads pick things up faster than BSN grads." That's as absurd a statement as I've ever heard. They may prefer ADN grads for other reasons, but I just don't believe that directors and administrators would say such a thing.

Regardless of what is being done at the hospitals you mentioned, the fact remains that some employers want their nurses to have a BSN, so it doesn't matter what anyone's opinion is about ADN vs BSN, if they don't want to hire an ADN they won't. But, there are plenty of employers out there who do hire ADNs, and that's the only point I was trying to make for the OP.

Besides that, I believe that it can't hurt to apply for any job where the stated requirements are greater than what the applicant actually has, since employers sometimes can't get what they want and will often take what they can get, as long as an applicant can convince them that he/she is qualified.

klone, MSN, RN · Aug 28, 2010

I am an ADN who has only worked OB/L&D my entire nursing career. I think I may possibly be the only ADN RN at my current job (and this is a magnet facility). Experience does count for a lot.

thepeach80 · Aug 29, 2010

There are quite a few hospitals here, only 2 of them (same hospital w/ 2 campuses) require a BSN to do L&D. I did have one director tell me she thinks it helps when nurses do at least 6 mos in med surg before applying to L&D but others have told me it's unnecessary. If you're having problems, why not try and get a job in a Dr's office first and then apply after you have some experience? I'm doing that while I go from LPN to ASN hopefully and then I'm relying on that and my outside birth stuff to help me get a job in the hospital when I graduate w/ my ASN. Then I have plans to go CNM, but that's a good 4 yrs from now.

tinikam · Aug 29, 2010

@NIcole 2010 where do you work/live, I am a new grad and cannot find an L&D job any pointers?Thanks

rdnkmommy · Aug 30, 2010

I am an ADN that was hired in L&D last year as a new grad. Most hospitals in the Dallas area do not specify ADN or BSN, just based on my job search. I work in a large hospital that does not offer a pay difference for either degree, in fact I graduate with my BSN in December and will not receive any compensation for the degree.

And just to add my $.02, my coursework for my BSN was strictly administrative. There was not extention of my clinical practice so I'm personally not buying the ADN is better/worse than the BSN.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Aug 30, 2010

I am a BSN working in L&D and we have BSN and ADN nurses. If you did not ask what type of degree the nurse had you would never know...

klone, MSN, RN · Aug 30, 2010

I am a BSN working in L&D and we have BSN and ADN nurses. If you did not ask what type of degree the nurse had you would never know...

I agree with this. I don't believe there is any difference in quality of clinical training between the average ADN program and the average BSN program. It's possible that some individual programs are better, and turn out more prepared nurses than other individual programs.