Associate and Diploma RNs

To be frank: I think that you must adapt to this reality and get your BSN.

This is NOT a diss at ADN/ Diploma grads. I have been an LPN and AAS RN before getting my BSN (30 years later). I work with diploma grads who are excellent nurses. But the reality is NOT going to change. No matter how much people complain.

I actually think it may change - but it's not going to change in the next couple years for sure.

I won't get a BSN...if I go back to school it will not be in nursing.

Okay, then you need to accept that you may indeed get pushed out of your job, if that is what your facility values.

With the projected shortages of heathcare workers in general...not just nurses this is a poor time for facilities to alienate any nurse. BSN programs can not keep up with the demand that is coming at least in my state, because there are just a handful statewide. Interestingly enough facilities cite "Magnet Status" as the reason for the push for all BSN prepared RNs when that status doesn't require it and is supposed to increase our job satisfaction while providing top notch care. Just a few thoughts....

Do you "feel" like you're being pushed out or are you actually being pushed out?

At this time none of the present employees are being let go if they don't have a BSN, just no new employees will be hired w/o one. Just see it as a trend.

I would never trade my base education as a diploma nurse but the BSN component complimented it

Most places, if they are hiring nonBSN, are mandating you get it within 5 years. Now, I find it particularly cruel to let the ADN students do all their clinicals at our facility and then say, sorry not hiring you. Then phase out ADN, like they did diploma. I am a diploma grad who now has a master's, do Imthink it made me a better clinician, nope.

With the projected shortages of heathcare workers in general...not just nurses this is a poor time for facilities to alienate any nurse. BSN programs can not keep up with the demand that is coming at least in my state, because there are just a handful statewide.

What state do you live in where there is a shortage of nurses? I'm sure many of the new grads who have been looking for work for 6-12 months would love to know!

Arkansas. I know of no RN without a job who wants one here. A lot of us have more than one job!

The hype might exceed the actual differences in finding and keeping a job with an ADN vs BSN. The only numbers I'm aware of show only a 4% difference in the likelihood of finding a job at 6 months post graduation. My employer has included "BSN or MSN preferred" for all bedside positions for almost 10 years, the postings are written by someone in another state. The managers who actually do the hiring typically have no preference.