associates in nursing is pointless

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I'm just curious as why there are still AS nursing programs if every organization wants nurses that have a BSN?

I have a BS in health science and I plan to bridge my BS with my associates and either 1) get a BSN in one year or 2) get a MSN in two years. I could have went into a accelerated BS to RN program but I missed the deadline and figured I would get my AS and work for awhile and then go back to school and further my education, while the organization pays for it (bad move!!!). However, every door has been shut in my face. No one wants to hire me because of my AS degree and the fact that I am a new grad. I am currently filling in for a elementary school nurse that will be out on medical leave for 6 wks and then after that just subbing for them whenever they need me. The money isn't great but I am happy to have this rather than nothing. I am so upset and confused right now. We have had AS nurses in nursing since the beginning and now they don't want us at ALL! Do I have to shell out more money for my education (that I don't have) and work as a patient care associate or something although I am trained and licensed to be a RN? Furthermore schools everywhere are still pushing these AS/2 year programs. I understand that a school is a business, but these nurses that teach for these schools should be ashamed of themselves. Can anyone shed any light on this matter for me?

An ASN is not pointless. It provides the recipient the ability to sit for the RN NCLEX, obtain an RN license, and get a job as an RN. However, if one had the opportunity instead to graduate from a BSN program, but chose the ASN route, then there is added expense, wasted time, and added aggravation to go back for a BSN when they could have earned one in the first place.

I do not think that it is a waste. Everyone may not be able to afford to go to school for four years. You have to think about those individuals who have families and are making sacrafices to go back to school for their ASN, and at some schools depending on where you go an ASN degree can be costly.

At one time I thought that it was a waste of time to go back for a BSN but as I started exploring my options, and started looking at the management route, I found that a BSN can come in handy, however if you are content with doing bedside nursing and you do not ever have plans to expand your experience, then I would say that an ADN is suitable, moreover it all depends on what you want out of a nursing career.

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Is it like that all over New York or just in Long Island. Things sure are a lot different now but I understand your frustration. I graduated in 2003 with my ASN, so the job market was a lot different then. If you are having a hard time finding a job in your area consider other options such reseraching areas in the state that have a great need for nurses, or maybe even relocating to a different state if it does not pose a great financial burden on you.

It is like this all over NY...The Nurse Spectrum job fair I attended was in NYC, and there were only two hospitals from Long island there. One of which was North Shore Long Island Jewish system, which is the third largest hospital system in NY. They are not hiring at all, so why they were there was beyond me. They do nothing directly to your face. 100%of their hiring procedures are online (nothing face to face-only if you get an interview). There is also a lot of internal job goers so our chances are even slimmer than we think. There's no HR office to walk into to make an impression. Everything is what you are on paper and all I'm saying is that if you have a BSN you may, excuse me, you will look better on paper. Which brings to my original point that it may be wise to eliminate AS programs in nursing if the new trend is BSN. Why waste a new graduates time or money?? and furthermore, EVERY hospital should have fellowships and Internships year around to staff their facilities if they want experienced nurses. Every hospital website that I have been on in NY state has countless nursing positions available and their ALL asking for 1-2 yrs experience. Some even say 5!!! Are they kidding?? They should train the future nurses, so there won't be a "shortage" when people start deciding to give up and try something else! (although there's not much out there)

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There is money to be had in ASN programs just as there is money to be had in LPN programs. As long as there is money to be made, these programs will exist. It is up to the industry to insure that the ASN RN route and the LPN route are no longer viable. Don't look for anything like this to happen any time soon.

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Have you tried LTC's or just hospitals?

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Have you applied to LTC facilities in NYC? I know most people want hospitals but they are in the position to be picky now days. Try LTC, it might be not want you want in the long run but at least you can keep up your nursing skills in the meantime.

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Have you tried LTC's or just hospitals?

Both. Not too many LTC...I will try harder and look into these organizations.

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Specializes in CSICU/CTICU.

Not a nurse yet so I can't speak authoritatively on this issue, but I have spent hours researching and supposedly in New York (Manhattan anyway) there has been a move toward BSN-only in the private sector. In addition to this, there is something in the legislature (hasnt passed yet) for NY/NJ that would mandate all nurses receive their BSN within 10 years of becoming an RN...One might also look at the advanced practice trend from masters to doctorate and infer that this might be indicative of a move from associates to bachelors as the standard.. As I said, I heard this through the "grapevine", but it was enough for me to rule out an associates program with certainty. Perhaps you can use this time of unemployment to start a RN-BSN program? Good luck! Oh and if anyone can follow up on what I said, please do!

Elle

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Not a nurse yet so I can't speak authoritatively on this issue, but I have spent hours researching and supposedly in New York (Manhattan anyway) there has been a move toward BSN-only in the private sector. In addition to this, there is something in the legislature (hasnt passed yet) for NY/NJ that would mandate all nurses receive their BSN within 10 years of becoming an RN...One might also look at the advanced practice trend from masters to doctorate and infer that this might be indicative of a move from associates to bachelors as the standard.. As I said, I heard this through the "grapevine", but it was enough for me to rule out an associates program with certainty. Perhaps you can use this time of unemployment to start a RN-BSN program? Good luck! Oh and if anyone can follow up on what I said, please do!

Elle

Yes this is what I am doing now. I start January...another issue I am having is whether to get a BSN or use my two degrees to do a MSN program. Again, I still paid for a license, passed my test and should be able to work while I am in pursuit of another degree. But everything you heard through the grapevine is true, however when I applied for the AS program nurses were getting jobs with out a problem, so I was thinking of saving myself some money and go the less expensive route. Like most nurses with a ASN, they have their employers or unions reimburse them for school and this was my plan.

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Specializes in CSICU/CTICU.
Yes this is what I am doing now. I start January...another issue I am having is whether to get a BSN or use my two degrees to do a MSN program. Again, I still paid for a license, passed my test and should be able to work while I am in pursuit of another degree. But everything you heard through the grapevine is true, however when I applied for the AS program nurses were getting jobs with out a problem, so I was thinking of saving myself some money and go the less expensive route. Like most nurses with a ASN, they have their employers or unions reimburse them for school and this was my plan.

Kkia -- I think the best route depends on what kind of masters you want. For NP and the likes, there are many schools that accept associates rn with bachelors in other field so it might make the most sense to just do a masters! For something like CRNA, most grad programs require a BSN. I would check out your options in the area and would seriously consider going directly to grad school if CRNA is not your goal! Let me know what you decide! You might even be able to pick up shifts while doing masters and thus would graduate with a masters and experience...I think this is a good plan for you!

Elle

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
Every hospital website that I have been on in NY state has countless nursing positions available and their ALL asking for 1-2 yrs experience. Some even say 5!!! Are they kidding??

The thing is that hospitals are being "picky" right now because they can be. This job situation is the most blatent evidence of what many here have been saying for years. There is no nursing shortage, simply a shortage of nurses willing to work. Right now a lot of nurses are willing be work because the other member of the household may be having trouble finding work. Most of those nurses who weren't previously working (or were working PRN once every month or two) have experience and hospitals would darn sure prefer to hire someone with experience than pay for a new grad to orient for 3-6 months. And of course the areas of the country harder hit by other job losses are seeing less jobs for nurses because nurses are often moms/wives that have chosen to stay home but now must return to work.

Point being, if we go and eliminate ADN programs now, they'll just be screaming for them in 5 years or so (or whenever the economy is "feeling better"). Most of those nurses who went back to work won't need to stay because their spouses will be employed again and they will stay home again, and we'll be back to where we were and begging for RN's of any flavor.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.
Kkia -- I think the best route depends on what kind of masters you want. For NP and the likes, there are many schools that accept associates rn with bachelors in other field so it might make the most sense to just do a masters! For something like CRNA, most grad programs require a BSN. I would check out your options in the area and would seriously consider going directly to grad school if CRNA is not your goal! Let me know what you decide! You might even be able to pick up shifts while doing masters and thus would graduate with a masters and experience...I think this is a good plan for you!

Elle

CRNA requires a minimum of 2 yrs ICU experience at most schools, and most programs require some experience as well. Check into the program and see if anything seems interesting....

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Specializes in OR, peds, PALS, ICU, camp, school.
I am located in Long Island N.Y.

Then I agree with you. No school in the NY metro area should be allowed to offer an ADN. Years ago, when hospitals were begging for nurses, I tried to get a weekend/perdiem position in the city. No luck. They were short in all the big centers but they required a BSN. You might be better looking further south in Jersey?

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