associates in nursing is pointless

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 6, 2009

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 work in the SICU of a large hospital. We have a 7 month nurse residency program to train new grads into the SICU and MICU and you have to have an associates degree to apply. BSN new grads are not welcome to apply. We are a Magnet hospital (whoop-ti-do).

Your problem isn't your lack of a BSN, it is a lack of new grad job opening at this time. The exact same thing happened in 1995. By 1997 it had turned around completely. Just as soon as the economy gets a little better and people start getting jobs there is going to be a HUGE exodus of nurses out of nursing jobs. The world will be your oyster.

dannyc12 · Nov 6, 2009

Can anyone shed any light on this matter for me?

You can shed the light yourself by taking a look at the percentage of working nurses whose initial degree was an ASN. After you do that, please let us know what you think.

(Hint: Around 35%)

PedsDrNurseTheo, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, EMT-P, NP · Nov 6, 2009

You can shed the light yourself by taking a look at the percentage of working nurses whose initial degree was an ASN. After you do that, please let us know what you think.
(Hint: Around 35%)

I beg to differ. According to the HRSA report of the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses:

"The initial educational preparation for the largest proportion of RNs is the associate degree. Forty-two percent, or 1,227,256 of the 2,909,357 RNs received their initial nursing education in an associate degree program. Similarly, in terms of the highest level of preparation for nursing, the trend from 1980 to 2004 indicates that an increasing number of RNs receive baccalaureate and master’s degrees, even if their initial preparation for nursing was an associates degree or a diploma."

Lots of RN's start with ADNs and enter the workforce. Many continue on to get higher degrees. The associate degree is still the entry level technical degree into the nursing workforce, and that's not likely to change moving forward.

Job prospects have more to do with economic factors, and job candidates than with a trend towards requiring BSNs over ADNs. As the "boomers" age into retirement, and the nursing schools continue to have difficulty attracting and retaining faculty - the role of the ADN will continue to be essential.

That being said - the baccalaureate degree should be a goal for all professional nurses - just not a hiring requirement.

pageygirl · Nov 6, 2009

Even with 4 years of tele experience i havnt been able to branch into er or icu as of yet. Hospitals dont want to pay a long orientation good luck to you in your job search..

dannyc12 · Nov 6, 2009

I beg to differ. According to the HRSA report of the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses:
"The initial educational preparation for the largest proportion of RNs is the associate degree. Forty-two percent, or 1,227,256 of the 2,909,357 RNs received their initial nursing education in an associate degree program. Similarly, in terms of the highest level of preparation for nursing, the trend from 1980 to 2004 indicates that an increasing number of RNs receive baccalaureate and master's degrees, even if their initial preparation for nursing was an associates degree or a diploma."

Actually you are agreeing with me. My message to the OP was that a large percentage of working nurses started as associate degree nurses. Rather than being a hindrance to a career, it is a good starting point.

PedsDrNurseTheo, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, EMT-P, NP · Nov 6, 2009

Actually you are agreeing with me. My message to the OP was that a large percentage of working nurses started as associate degree nurses. Rather than being a hindrance to a career, it is a good starting point.

Ah, I misunderstood. I thought with the 35% quote that you were saying a minority of nurses started as ADNs - when in fact, of the three major options for entering the workforce, ADNs make up the majority.

The statistic was confusing. My apologies and thanks for the clarification.

Zookeeper3 · Nov 6, 2009

This is not what you want to hear, but you asked. The job market in NY has been tough for many years. I graduated in 1995 and had to work a year in geriatric psyc at a private psyc hospital with crud pay to get some lousy experience. With that I finally got hired into a long term vent unit.... another very unpopular area, trust me.

From that I had experience in vents, some drips, pegs, multisystem failure and complex diagnosis but I wanted ICU. To work in the area in which I wanted, I had to leave NY and move south. Not too long ago I had to return to NY, and with 11 years of exp. 9 of it in ICU, three of it in ICU management (assistant) I had a VERY hard time getting hired and it took about 4 months and I did take a cut in pay with a very high cost of living to boot.

Sometimes we just have to do these things.

In NC in my area now, we are desperately short staffed every shift and drool over new nurses. Because of the economy, most homeowners cannot sell the house and move:crying2: So I feel your frustration, I've been there, I've even worked as a home health aid in NY for extra money with an RN degree. Stinks. I'm sorry you're going through this, but to tell you this is a brief phase isn't true up there.

E.R. Rookie · Nov 6, 2009

I have my ADN and Im doing just fine. I plan on furthering my education and letting my hospital help me out with the bill.

IlovenursingRN · Nov 6, 2009

My ASN is supporting my family of four very nicely. I work with BSN who make the same amount per hour that I do.

tamalalynn47 · Nov 6, 2009

I understand that I am a new grad and it's hard to get hired because of this. But aren't we all a new grad at some point. How are we supposed to become experienced nurses if no one gives us a chance. Thanks for all the replies. It is always awesome hearing from people in the field.

Unfortunately that seems to be the question of the year, I myself say it a hundred times a day. Nursing homes are now telling me they dont want to hire a new grad, they gotta be kidding!

pinksugar · Nov 6, 2009

I don't think that an associate's degree is pointless. I'm making bank with mine. It isn't that you are an ASN prepared nurse, it is that the economy stinks and you are a new grad. New grads are expensive to train and with experienced nurses needing jobs as well new grads will be last in line for hire. It stinks, but don't diss the degree - it is not pointless to the many folks that are paying their bills because of it. Try to hang in there, new grads. As soon as this economy gets better people will leave the workforce in droves and there will be more than enough job opportunities for nurses again. The baby boomers aren't getting any younger, you know.

oramar · Nov 8, 2009

I think what you are going thru is more a function of the economy than your degree.

That was exactly my thought. Matter of fact I have seen tight job markets come and go and very soon after a tight labor market returns hospitals are considering ADN grads again.