Associates degree

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all, I have a quick question. I am about to start a nursing program at a community college in the fall and I am concerned because I heard that nurses with an associates degree are not getting hired, can anyone tell me if this is true?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"While many of the hospitals in my area hire both ADN & RNs they are going hire the RNs first."

What on earth? ADN's are RN's (provided they've passed the NCLEX of course).

In my area of the country, no difference in hiring rates between ADN and BSN.

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

It may depend on your region, but I know that my hospital (Pittsburgh area) often hires new grads.

Is it hard to find jobs as a new nurse? Yes, sometimes, but it's nothing compared to what new grads in other professions have to deal with :-) And nursing is always going to be needed - you won't regret becoming an RN.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I was hired as a ADN at a facility with magnet status and only went on for my BSN because I'm getting my Masters and wanted some instant gratification along the way. Imo CC education is not only cheap but mine was very good also.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I work in the SICU of a large academic teaching facility with Magnet certification (whoop-ti-do). We have a 7 month nurse residency program for new grads who want to go into the SICU. It is very competitive with only 2-4 new grads hired a year. They do NOT hire new grad BSNs. Only ADN prepared new grads are hired. It doesn't say anyplace that they will not hire BSNs but they don't. I know of one other ICU in a nearby city doing the same.

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Specializes in Psych.

There are several university hospitals in my area that about a year or so ago began to only hire BSNs. The answer to your question seems to be "it depends".

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Specializes in Peds general and ICU/Comm. Disease RN.
While many of the hospitals in my area hire both ADN & RNs they are going hire the RNs first. .

:confused: Okay, a little confused here.....I have been a Nurse for nearly 20 years.....a RN...and I have my associates degree. So just to clarify, when you graduate from an associate degree program you are a registered nurse.

:nurse: As mentioned, I have been a RN for a while...in hindsight I wish I would have gotten my BSN at that time.....you will need it to advance in many cases. AND it is much tougher to go to school once you get married, have kids....etc....

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Not true here. I am finishing my first semester and am already hired at a reputable local magnet hospital for after graduation in 12/2011.

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I also plan to attend a community college in the fall for nursing, and most student at my school get hired before they graduate while externing at the Hospital. I guess you would only need a BSN if you plan to advance your degree. oh and I currently live in GA outside of Atlanta.

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Specializes in Peds general and ICU/Comm. Disease RN.

Rojas3...........Good luck to you! you won't regret your career choice!:yeah:

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I am hearing that the largest healthcare system in my area is giving the nod to BSN grads over ADN grads. Of course there are always exceptions, but even the Nurse Extern programs prefer that you are in a BSN program.

I guess it always has to do with supply and demand. IF there are 50 jobs and you have 500 candidates, 1/2 of which have their BSN and 1/2 of which have their ADN and you are going to require that ADN students get their BSN within a few years of hire anyway, wouldn't you just hire the person who already has the BSN (all other factors being equal)?

Don't get me wrong I am in an ADN program so I don't want the BSN grads to get hired over me, but being a second degree student who worked in the corporate world for the last 10 years, I get it - it's all about the bottom line. BSN students don't get paid much more $$, they cost less in tuition reimbursement and theoretically they should be a little more prepared after taking 4 years of classes rather than 2...

Of course we know that we all have to pass the same exam to become an RN and that a few more classroom hours will not make you a better nurse, but unfortunately the reality is that the market is competitive and if you're graduating with your BSN probably you mayy have the edge over your ADN competition.

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Not true here. I am finishing my first semester and am already hired at a reputable local magnet hospital for after graduation in 12/2011.

How can you arleady be hired when you are still finishing your first semester?:rolleyes: You mean to say they promised to offer you a position after you donw with school??? Sorry to burst your bubble but hospitals promise many things but it doesnt necessary means it is true or subjected to change.

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I think it depends on the individual, and the overall determination and work ethic. I worked my last year of nursing school at a local hospital in the ER and did my preceptorship on anther floor.... I got a job offer on BOTH floors.

But I don't wait to be asked to do something, I take initiative. Even if I am anxious about a situation...I don't show it. When I am asked to do something I am unsure of... I say "I've never done that before, I can't WAIT to try."

It is a hard time for new grads...so you have to do everything you can to get noticed... regardless of BS or ADN

Good Luck.

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