Anything that would make a ADN applicant stand out in a field of BSNs?

[JL2006]

From reading these boards, I understand that having a BSN is preferable (an understatement) in this competitive market. And no amount of whining about the higher cost of tuition and lost income during an accelerated BSN will change this fact. So I'm not here to whine, but I would like to know if there is *anything* that could help an ADN land a first position so they could work toward a BSN part-time while nursing?

- Volunteer experience in a hospital or long-term care facility?

- PhD in cell biology?

- Good old-fashioned networking?

Anything you can think of ... ? Or is it really just a losing battle if you're in a BSN-saturated area?

[Palliative Care, DNP]

Definitely good old fashion networking helps! It really is all in who you know sometimes in order to get a chance. Also, don't be afraid to start in LTC, Private Duty, Home Health, or whatever you need to do to obtain some sort of experience. Some experience is better than nothing and while it may take you longer to get into a hospital position that will be okay. If you have the drive and time start a RN to BSN program so they can see you are not stopping with the ADN.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

Work as a PCA/PCT while you are in your ADN program at the hospital where you want to work. In that way you can gain experience, and get to be known by the manager at that particular unit.

ADN students who are personally known by a manager/facility will have an edge over ADN students who are not employees at that facility.

[mimih]

Check into colleges that offer a RN to BSN program and enroll! Some colleges offering this program have a dual admission agreement with community colleges so that the application fee is waived and admission is guarenteed with a GPA of 2.5. You will most likely receive a letter of acceptance from the BSN program. Have this in hand at any interview and include your desire to matriculate your ADN to a BSN in cover letters. You may be able to defer your actual admission to the program for up to 3 years after acceptance; this is good since we need to work and adapt our school around that. This was my plan, I did get a job in a hospital with my ADN and will matriculate into my BSN one class at a time as I am a new nurse learning at work too! Good luck!!

[SamHill]

3 years of medsurg experience as a LVN helped a new grad ADN RN. Beat out several BSN new grads for the job.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

So I'm not here to whine, but I would like to know if there is *anything* that could help an ADN land a first position so they could work toward a BSN part-time while nursing?

Here's what I did:

I built good experience in health care (LTC, home health, and hospital) before and during nursing school.

Attended a very well respected, competitive, and challenging CC nursing program.

Kept a 4.0 in said program.