Bridgeport hospital school of nursing fall 2015

Bethslifer · Jun 17, 2015

Hello. My orientation is June 29th. I was waitlisted at Gateway 2 yrs in a row and then applied to BHSN and got accepted. I work in a Cancer Center as a research coordinator and I want to be a nurse. The problem is that I'm having strong feelings that diploma nursing is not adequate and it would be better to go the ADN route. I do have a degree so I don't really see the big deal but I work with pretty much all nurses and I feel that they frown upon the diploma program. I can't do traditional nursing because I have to work. I very much want to pursue this but I'm having second thoughts. Not to mention but I'm in my 40s. Anyone else feel the same?

itsformonkeyhead · Jun 17, 2015

Personally, I do not feel the same because I will earn my ADN through HCC, once I receive my diploma from BHSN. Hospitals are no longer hiring ADN nurses, unless they are enrolled in a BSN program, at the time of the interview. They are now asking for proof of enrollment.

Do I think you can get hired with just a diploma, yes. Where? I am not sure. All I am sure of is that hospitals are mandating BSNs and again, will not hire you if you are not immediately enrolled in a BSN program. That is what is being drilled in our heads at the hospital I work at.

Where did you do your prerequisites? If at any of the community colleges, I believe you can still carry those credits over and obtain an ADN, if you did not take your classes at HCC. Someone please feel free to correct me, if I am wrong.

itsformonkeyhead · Jun 17, 2015

Beth, you can always speak to your advisor and go from there. There is a lot to think about, especially the way nursing is evolving. I hope you can figure it all out sooner than later. :) Also, come to orientation. There is nothing you can lose by going. In fact, you may be able to get clearer answers.

Bethslifer · Jun 17, 2015

Thanks for the post. I definitely intend to go to the orientation. You raise a good question of will they offer me an ADN even though my prerequisites were done at another community college. I also want to find out if they have a formal relationship with the University of Bridgeport. What hospital do you work at and are they giving tuition reimbursement to you?

itsformonkeyhead · Jun 18, 2015

Rumor has it that this is the last year at BHSN. Next year, the college will be located at UB, as a four year program. My hospital does offer tuition reimbursement, if classes are paid out of pocket, with a minimum grade of C+.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2015

Personally, I do not feel the same because I will earn my ADN through HCC, once I receive my diploma from BHSN. Hospitals are no longer hiring ADN nurses, unless they are enrolled in a BSN program, at the time of the interview. They are now asking for proof of enrollment.
Do I think you can get hired with just a diploma, yes. Where? I am not sure. All I am sure of is that hospitals are mandating BSNs and again, will not hire you if you are not immediately enrolled in a BSN program. That is what is being drilled in our heads at the hospital I work at.
Where did you do your prerequisites? If at any of the community colleges, I believe you can still carry those credits over and obtain an ADN, if you did not take your classes at HCC. Someone please feel free to correct me, if I am wrong.

Hosptials most certainly ARE hiring ADN nurses whether or not they are enrolled in an RN to BSN program. I have several friends who are ADN nurses who have recently been hired by hospitals in CT. Some are enrolled in BSN programs others were not. (I was hired in December, I was enrolled in a BSN, but I have friends like I said who've recently been hired who only hold an ADN and were not enrolled in a BSN) Of course being enrolled in a BSN program is more appealing but is was not required. Many hospitals are now requiring that as a nurse who isn't a BSN, that you enroll in a BSN program within a certain time frame from your hire date and obtain your BSN within a certain time frame. There are a few hospitals that require a BSN but the majority are still hiring ADNs.

Yes diploma nurses are hired..but its few and far between. Obviously Bridgeport Hosptial is hiring diploma nurses. I work with several diploma nurses on my unit. But the push is to get that BSN.

You are correct...the BSN is whats being pushed. Many job positings will say ADN required BSN preferred. Some say BSN required. Most hosptials require a BSN for their critical units (NICU, PICU, MICU, SICU etc)

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2015

Rumor has it that this is the last year at BHSN. Next year, the college will be located at UB, as a four year program. My hospital does offer tuition reimbursement, if classes are paid out of pocket, with a minimum grade of C+.

I was thinking the same. I know many nurses on my unit are grumbling about having to go back to school. Nothing was officially announced but it makes me think with the grumblings around the same the new program was announced, that the mandate for the nurses to go back is going to happen.

itsformonkeyhead · Jun 18, 2015

Hosptials most certainly ARE hiring ADN nurses whether or not they are enrolled in an RN to BSN program. I have several friends who are ADN nurses who have recently been hired by hospitals in CT. Some are enrolled in BSN programs others were not. (I was hired in December, I was enrolled in a BSN, but I have friends like I said who've recently been hired who only hold an ADN and were not enrolled in a BSN) Of course being enrolled in a BSN program is more appealing but is was not required. Many hospitals are now requiring that as a nurse who isn't a BSN, that you enroll in a BSN program within a certain time frame from your hire date and obtain your BSN within a certain time frame. There are a few hospitals that require a BSN but the majority are still hiring ADNs.
Yes diploma nurses are hired..but its few and far between. Obviously Bridgeport Hosptial is hiring diploma nurses. I work with several diploma nurses on my unit. But the push is to get that BSN.
You are correct...the BSN is whats being pushed. Many job positings will say ADN required BSN preferred. Some say BSN required. Most hosptials require a BSN for their critical units (NICU, PICU, MICU, SICU etc)

Thank you for your response and clarification. I, too, have several diploma nurses on my unit; however, the administration team in my hospital are really pushing the immediate enrollment of a BSN program prior to hiring. Now that you mentioned it, the push could be that I work in a critical care unit. Makes sense.

I remember hearing in a staff meeting that a candidate was sent home from an interview because she did not have proof of being enrolled in a BSN program! How embarrassing.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2015

I recall reading some of your posts that you are/were a PCT. And I also believe that you and I are at the same hospital :)

And since you mentioned working in in one of the units we could be across the hall neighbors :)

itsformonkeyhead · Jun 18, 2015

I recall reading some of your posts that you are/were a PCT. And I also believe that you and I are at the same hospital :)
And since you mentioned working in in one of the units we could be across the hall neighbors :)

Yes, I am a PCT! Hmmm... Now I'm curious to know for sure. ðŸ˜‰

shellkea · Jun 18, 2015

I created a group on Facebook for our class, if anyone wants to join. Send me a message and I will add you. It's just so we can get to know each other and set up study groups! :)

Hi all, I'm new to this thread. My orientation is scheduled for June 30th. I can't send messages yet but I'd like to be added to the FB group, if that's cool. :)

Also, about BSNs, all of us will likely need to get a BSN sooner rather than later. I have a B.A. from SCSU so I think it makes most sense for me to go back, but there are lots of RN to BSN programs in the area. I've already researched SCSU's prerequisites and I'm starting to take them now.

itsformonkeyhead · Jun 18, 2015

I sent you a message!