ASN or BSN

[Dr3am2baNICUNurs3]

Hello everyone,

I am currently a pre nursing student in college. Recently I have been thinking about going for my Associate's degree instead of my Bachelor's degree. I have no interest in becoming a manager or getting a higher degree in this field. I just really want to work with patients and thats all. Eventually in the future I would :redbeathe to move to Texas (Houston area) and work as a NICU Nurse. My question is what do most hopitals in the Houston area prefer when specializing in NICU, a Bachelor's degree or Associate's degree? Thanks!

[L&DRN03]

Generally speaking a BSN is always preferred over an ASN. That doesn't mean you can't easily get a job with an associate's but I've never seen a position that stated ASN preferred.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Generally speaking a BSN is always preferred over an ASN. That doesn't mean you can't easily get a job with an associate's but I've never seen a position that stated ASN preferred.

*** Generally I think you are right. However as we all know there are exceptions. I work in such a place. The hospital where I work has a 7 month critical care nurse residency program. New grad BSNs are not hired into the program for the SICU. It doesn't say that anyplace but they are not hired. New grad BSNs can get hired into the program for the PICU and ER and of course the hospital hires them for other units. I know of at least one other ICU doing the same in this region (upper mid west).

Of course these are obviously exceptions to the rules.

[txgal123]

BSN is always preferred. It is great professionally, and it is the way to move up. In interviews, they like if you are planning to move up educationally, like certifications and high levels of degrees.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

BSN is always preferred. It is great professionally, and it is the way to move up. In interviews, they like if you are planning to move up educationally, like certifications and high levels of degrees.

*** Well not always. I know of at least two ICUs who no longer will hire new grad BSNs. ADN only.

[caliotter3]

You would be doing yourself a favor in the long run to obtain the BSN now. You never know when you might be working in a hospital as a staff nurse and then all of a sudden you are given the ultimatum to get your BSN by a certain date or lose your job. Better to get it done now on your own terms, then you do not have to worry about it in the future.