Anyone with an ADN and BA recently get hired in a hospital in SoCal?

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Hi All,

This is my first thread. I recently got accepted into an ADN program here in southern CA. I have a BA already and a marketing background. I decided to get into nursing because my son was born with a major heart defect and after two years of being in the hospital with him and doing G-tube feedings, dispensing round-the-clock meds, teaching him how to eat, wound care, etc, I decided that I want to eventually become a pediatric nurse.

I guess my question is...if I were to graduate with an ADN from a good accredited 40-year old program in the area. Am I going to have a hard time finding a job with my background just because it is an ADN and not a BSN?

Do hiring managers look at anything else other than that degree when making hiring decisions? It has been a frustrating process just even getting into a program and I am wondering if they look at the entire candidate rather than just that piece of paper. I plan to take more Spanish classes too since the majority of the patients tend to be Spanish speakers in the hospital that I want to work at.

The ADN program is so much cheaper than an ABSN program and I can start sooner than waiting another 6 months before I can get into the ABSN program. Time and money is of the essence for me as I am a single mother now and in my mid-30's.

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Sorry to hear about your son's health problems. I can't imagine how difficult it must be. I'm sure you heard how tough the job market is. My friend got hired about a month ago. And she has a BA and ADN. I also have the same degrees and have been searching for a job for over 3 months. I have a job interview in a couple of weeks. So it is possible, just not easy. Best Wishes!

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Specializes in Adult Stem Cell/Oncology.

Hoag hires ADN's. If you can get a CNA or unit secretary job there or volunteer there or find some way to network with nurses and managers there, the ADN won't be an issue. I used to volunteer there, and quite a few of the nurses were Saddleback grads.

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Thanks for your responses. Just wanted to get an idea of how much the degree is weighed against the applicant. I am going to start volunteering next week in the hospital I want to work at. I am hoping that will help me while I am going to nursing school to make some contacts.

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Specializes in CCRN, House Sup, CCT, Unit Director, ICU.

I have an ADN and a BA. I went to school in Atlanta and moved to OC as a new grad and I got hired right into ICU.

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I am orginally from Orange County and have been up in Oregon for about six years. I graduated last July with my ADN and am currently in school for my BSN. The job market for new nurses here is horrible, I am lucky enough to have a job at a SNF. My husband and I want to move back to California to be with family can you give me some tips as to how you got your job? ICU is acutally the area I am most passionate about...however I would be very happy with just about any RN position in a hospital just to get working in acute care setting. Anyways, any tips from your experience that you could pass on would be greatly appreciated. Congrats on your job and relocation! :-)

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I have an ADN and a BA. I went to school in Atlanta and moved to OC as a new grad and I got hired right into ICU.

I am orginally from Orange County and have been up in Oregon for about six years. I graduated last July with my ADN and am currently in school for my BSN. The job market for new nurses here is horrible, I am lucky enough to have a job at a SNF. My husband and I want to move back to California to be with family can you give me some tips as to how you got your job? ICU is acutally the area I am most passionate about...however I would be very happy with just about any RN position in a hospital just to get working in acute care setting. Anyways, any tips from your experience that you could pass on would be greatly appreciated. Congrats on your job and relocation! :

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Sorry to say the job market for new ADN RNs is horrible. When I passed by NCLEX in Feb of 2009 I could not find a job anywhere. I had to leave my house, dog, fiance, everything and move to Nevada to a small hospital that gave me my 1st job. I now have about 2 years experience, and having a ADN is still held against me in the job market. I see BNS students coming thru our hospital in droves and they all say very few graduating can find a job. Sad situation.

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Specializes in Pediatric respite care, bariatrics.

I'm in a similar situation: I have a BA and am a LVN in Orange County. Due to this nasty job climate, I'm hesitant about starting the ADN program at Saddleback next year. I have a stable job at a MD office and am scared to quit my job and go back to school, fearful of having NO job when I finish. But I will stay positive, try my best every step of the way, and keep moving forward :nurse:

If you read a lot of the job openings for RNs in this area, almost all say "BSN preferred." Not to say that you definitely won't get hired, but competition is stiff in OC & employers can be picky. I have a friend that graduated with an ADN from Kaplan in June 2010 and it took her 8 months to find work, at an LTC. She hates it, but it's a job. So it is possible, it will take longer, and it might not be your #1 pick.

I wish there were better news on this!

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