Published Nov 29, 2013
so_good124
27 Posts
I currently doing prereqs ... I am applying to the program Jan 2014 and hope to be accepted and start Fall 2014 .
I know BSN is preferred but I have 46k in debt from a bachelors degree that didn't get me a job. So needless to say I cant afford more debt ....but without a BSN seems hopeless.
so I wonder create more debt by getting BSN (still not guaranteed work)
or just get ADN (even tho BSN is preferred ) .
ANY ADN HOLDERS (or know any) THAT GRADAUTED BETWEEN 2011-NOW THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN CHICAGOLAND AREA ANYWHERE I HAVE A CAR AND WILL DRIVE 1-1.5 HOURS IF NEED BE . ?
- pay ?
- are you ltc ? in a hospital, dialysis??? I really have no desire for ltc or nursing home
-how long did it take to land a job ?
schnookimz
983 Posts
I had a previous bachelors when I graduated from an ADN program. Also had 3 years experience working in the hospital as a nurses aide, and 1 year as an lpn. It took me 5-6 months to find a job. I applied to over 300 positions. I have to drive at least an hour every day. I'm doing dialysis.
I immediately enrolled in an RN-MSN program when I graduated. I would never ever ever do the ADN program if there's any chance to do BSN.
Now when I go into hospitals to do dialysis, I see them trying to train new grad BSN nurses who never worked and literally have no clue what is going on. I get the BSN push, but it sucks.
I had a previous bachelors when I graduated from an ADN program. Also had 3 years experience working in the hospital as a nurses aide, and 1 year as an lpn. It took me 5-6 months to find a job. I applied to over 300 positions. I have to drive at least an hour every day. I'm doing dialysis. I immediately enrolled in an RN-MSN program when I graduated. I would never ever ever do the ADN program if there's any chance to do BSN. Now when I go into hospitals to do dialysis, I see them trying to train new grad BSN nurses who never worked and literally have no clue what is going on. I get the BSN push, but it sucks.
Thank you for the information and advice . This is hopeful for me although it took you months Im okay with that I have a bachelors and in last 3 years have not found a decent paying job( thats why back in school lol) so if it takes 6 months Im okay with that /okay with having to drive an hour. So this is encouraging to me . Thanks
PatiencePlease
24 Posts
Well, first off, good luck in school!!! And I'm really sorry about your other degree. Second, *sigh* I see you are in the Chicago area. Good Luck. I graduated in 2009 with an ADN from Kishwaukee College with the promise of "You can go ANYWHERE!" HA. I got a job relatively quickly, in four months at a plasma center. This unfortunately doesn't count as clinical experience for future hospital jobs. I was there for three long years, now I'm working for an insurance company, not where I want to be. I'm actually probably moving out of state to get a job. I do have my BSN now, from Loyola, but I'm not a new grad and I don't have the experience that hospitals want, so I'm between a rock and a hard place. The key to getting a job is networking. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Join nursing societies, like the American Nurses Association, if you have a specific nursing interest look for their nursing association. Go to conferences, go to meetings, talk to people. Getting your job is all about who you know. I used to go to conferences by myself, you feel awkward at first but you can sponge a lot of information from the nurses. Get your BSN ASAP. Many hospitals are going for Magnet status if they don't already have it, and ADNs are getting pushed aside for BSNs.
And most of all, DO NOT GIVE UP. First sememster nursing school courses are weeder courses, they call them that for a reason. Only the strong survive. Literally. You will make amazing friends, want to pull your hair out, cry and makes some great memories. Good Luck!!!!!
MrChicagoRN, RN
2,605 Posts
Have you looked at a program designed for those already holding a bachelors in another field?
That would leave you with either a BSN or general entry MSN when you are done. The difference may be less than you think.