Associate's to RN?

purplemania, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2004

Once you have the RN license you are qualified to work in OB-GYN and L&D, although not every facility will hire new graduates. I would call the Nurse Manager of an L&D floor to find out if they hire new grads and, if not, what kind of experience is required? Or call the Nurse Recruiter for that facility. But to answer your question, you would not have any more experience to offer as a BSN than as an ADN. HOWEVER, I always promote getting that degree because it opens doors for you later. You could also get your ADN, get some experience, then go after the BSN later. Nursing is great because there are so many options!!!

kennedyrosey · Mar 11, 2004

Thanks so much for your reply!! I do plan on eventually getting my BSN through an RN-BSN weekend program once I start working, but I'd like to get my associate's and begin working right away since those programs prefer students with some experience. So, to answer your question -- I will be getting one eventually! You mentioned that a Nurse Manager would tell me what other experience is required other than RN licensure.... what kind of experience would I be able to get before I went to work at a hospital? Sorry for all the questions -- if you can't tell, I'm really new at this and just decided three years into my bachelor's in political science that nursing was my calling! :)

KimRN03 · Mar 11, 2004

I graduated from an ADN program in December and also have a B.A. in Psych. I have 4 friends who graduated with me who are starting as new grads in the post-partum unit at my hospital. They are able to start their nursing career there and will be cross-trained to L & D and NICU once they complete their orientation and pass all the competencies for post-partum. They all love it down there. If you feel that's where you belong, go for it. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you won't be able to do it. Good luck!

kennedyrosey · Mar 11, 2004

Wow, thank you so much for the positive information! :) As a sidenote, since you're kind of in the same boat as I am (non-nursing bachelor's and an ADN), what is the starting salary for you and those other new grads?

KimRN03 · Mar 12, 2004

Kennedyrosey....starting pay for me $22.29 with $4/hr noc shift differential. $1000 new grad sign on bonus at Level 1 Trauma Center in large metro area. A whole lot better then I was making with my bachelor's....$11.25/hr doing child protection. This is a whole lot better! I still get to help people AND am compensated for my knowledge and hard work. Best wishes to you!

rpbear · Mar 12, 2004

I just graduated in December with my ADN and got a job in L&D. It depends on the hospital and the manager. Some are willing to hire new grads, some are not. As for salary, it depends on the state the hospital and your experience as a nurse.

Good luck!

kennedyrosey · Mar 12, 2004

Thanks so much to all of you guys! You've provided a lot of good information for me to consider... to anyone else: keep the advice coming! I really appreciate it AND need it! :)

culverabbie · Mar 18, 2004

hey kennedyrosey! my hope is to be a LD nurse also! I dont have my bachelor's though...just my AA. im planning on applying to ADN program this fall...hopefully it'll work out and I wont have to wait too long on the 2 year waiting list your question (and the subsequent answers) helped me out a lot too! :)

Energizer Bunny · Mar 18, 2004

What i found out from meeting with my advisor on Tuesday is that if I do an internship my last semester (which will also help fill the void in my credits to put me full time for my financial aid) that I have a better chance of being hired straight out of school. My plan from there is to work L&D and go further in school, getting my masters eventually.