Published Nov 6, 2004
calada69
1 Post
Do many hospitals take you with only an Associate degree? Some people say yes and some people say no. Obviously, I would end up completing my bachelors, but can anyone help me out?
HappyNurse2005, RN
1,640 Posts
sure do :)
i am just a student (ADN) but of course, know several nurses thru the course of my schooling and clinicals and internships. i know of lots and lots and lots of nurses that have an associates but no bachelors. lots and lots and lots.
so, i guess it depends on your area, but you shouldnt have a problem getting a job with an assoicates
love, rose
youngRNstudent
96 Posts
yes TONS of hospitals take "only an associate degree".
The great part is, you can work as an RN while getting your BSN
HarryPotter
257 Posts
Hospitals will hire u with a AA, but I wish that I had long ago gone for a BA as many more opportunities show up.
exnursie
86 Posts
I have never heard of AA RN's not being hired due to their degree.
I wish I had persued my BSN, as it does avail one to more options. As other posters indicated, there are many positions that require a BSN, but for staff nursing in hospitals, or nursing homes, or doctors office, your AA degree will get you hired.
Euskadi1946
401 Posts
Most hospitals will hire warm bodies as long as you have a nursing license. I never did go back to school to get my BSN and feel that I'm too old to do that now. I have been told that if you work for Uncle Sam the BSN and higher will get you more money and so will most state and county nursing jobs. I've also been told that being certified in a specialty will also get you a little bit more money too. If I had it to do over again, I would have gone for my BSN but by the time I got my ADN, I was so burned out from nursing school and my economic situation screamed that I feed it so I never did go back to school for my BSN. I do highly recommend it though because it does give you more options to choose from if you get burned out in the hospital setting. Once you get some hospital experience under you belt you can work just about any place.
NewNurse2003
24 Posts
Hospitals hire Registered Nurses. The degree doesn't matter. ADN or BSN prepared nurses are ALL nurses. We pass the same Board Exam and have the same responsibilities.
I graduated three years ago with my ADN. Got hired right into a specialty unit with no problem at all. I'm tellin' ya, it's NOT an issue. The hospitals in my area don't offer more money for BSN's.
Some say that you also have to be Bachelor's prepared to manage. This isn't true anymore. There are many ADN nurse managers.
I did recently finish my BSN through an online program through a University. I did it for myself, not because it was a work related requirement.
The ADN - BSN route worked well for me. Good luck with your decision.
A.