BSN vs. ADN really does it matter these days?

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I just completed my BSN this early year. BIG whaaaahoey.

It has not done much for me.. at all. NO pay increase, recruiters are not knocking at my door. Is it just a worthless higher degree that gets me really.. nowhere? Feeling that way.

In Philly it definitely makes a difference to new grads looking for jobs. Several of our hospitals hire BSN only. Places still hire ADNs but you have a smaller set of hospitals to look at.

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Just depends on where you live or work. Here it does not matter what degree you have, we all make the same. We have ADN and a few diploma RN's that are PCC's, managers, and house supervisors. We are a 400 bed facility so we are not a real small hospital. However, upstate there are hospital with magnet status, so BSN's only. BSN's are only allowed in some residency programs as well. If you ever decide to move somewhere that BSN just might help. And of course people are not going to be knocking on your door. Just like any other job, you have to search and put yourself out there. People won't look for you.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
However, upstate there are hospital with magnet status, so BSN's only. BSN's are only allowed in some residency programs as well.

*** That they have Magnet and hire only BSNs are unrelated, except that it indicates a certain type of mindset among administration. It is a myth that to achieve Magnet certification a hospital must hire only BSN nurses, or that a certain percentage of staff RNs must have BSNs. I sat on my hospital's Magnet committee during initial certification and recently through re-certification. I am very familiar with the requirements.

The ironic thing is that, at least here in the upper Midwest, Magnet hospitals have acquired a well deserved reputation as not being good places to work. Particularly among experienced ICU & ER types.

Were I looking for a job, all other things being equal, I would choose the non Magnet hospital. That said I am sure that some of the Magnet hospitals out there actually treat their nurses with respect and not like disposable labor. I just never worked in one.

As for residency programs, as far as I know you are right, about most of them. There are exceptions. I work at a large Magnet trauma center & tertirary care hospital (part time) with a 7 month Critical Care Nurse residency program for new grads going directly into critical care. We no longer hire new grad BSNs into the program for the SICU. ADNs only. This is cause so many of the BSNs were not finishing their two year contract before going off the CRNA school, vs 100% of ADNs finishing their conract.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

In my experience 5-10 years of high quality ICU & ER experience, along with CCRN and CEN beats the heck out of a BSN for getting a job any day.

Last year I was offered a job starting up a small hospitals open heart program. The surgeon they hired was very well known to me and a friend of mine. I had just finished a 13 week contract teaching their nurses how to recover open hearts, teaching hemodynamics, drips and other things at this hospital. The job was called "service line manager". However managers in this health system MUST have a MSN. They offered me the job but changed the name to "service line leader" and POOF! the requirement for an MSN went away with the stroke of the administrators pen.

Things are only set in stone as much as those at the top want them to be.

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Specializes in Government.

I'm currently in a position to hire an RN right now...we had so many applicants the first cut was BSN only. I think that is going on a lot more than people realize. There is no obvious shortage in my area, a ton of schools pumping out new grads....so experience plus BSN is a minimum.

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Your education is what you make of it. I am sure there are unemployed ADNs, BSNs and heck even nurses with MSN and PhDs out there.

Simply putting BSN on a resume will not bring recruiters to your door. Tailoring your resume to the job you want and highlighting the skills you have/and have acquired when getting your BSN will open doors.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

Your BSN DEF makes a difference: more options, more leadership, research and evidence-based curricula, and more advanced-practice options if you so desire...

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*** That they have Magnet and hire only BSNs are unrelated, except that it indicates a certain type of mindset among administration. It is a myth that to achieve Magnet certification a hospital must hire only BSN nurses, or that a certain percentage of staff RNs must have BSNs. I sat on my hospital's Magnet committee during initial certification and recently through re-certification. I am very familiar with the requirements.

The ironic thing is that, at least here in the upper Midwest, Magnet hospitals have acquired a well deserved reputation as not being good places to work. Particularly among experienced ICU & ER types.

Were I looking for a job, all other things being equal, I would choose the non Magnet hospital. That said I am sure that some of the Magnet hospitals out there actually treat their nurses with respect and not like disposable labor. I just never worked in one.

As for residency programs, as far as I know you are right, about most of them. There are exceptions. I work at a large Magnet trauma center & tertirary care hospital (part time) with a 7 month Critical Care Nurse residency program for new grads going directly into critical care. We no longer hire new grad BSNs into the program for the SICU. ADNs only. This is cause so many of the BSNs were not finishing their two year contract before going off the CRNA school, vs 100% of ADNs finishing their conract.

I am referring to the hospitals in my area. Only repeating facts at the hospitals in the this state. Trust me, I've done my research. I can't speak for other hospitals so I don't know.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

hmn, after 16 years, I'm finally working toward advanced degrees. It's not because of market ability, it's because I'm old (lol), can't physically work the ICU anymore and need those degrees to do advanced nursing that is not bedside. In ten years, you will appreciate having the BSN as it will open more doors for you. Initially in this tight economy yes.

More so the options that are available as you wish to advance your career. You'll find that a BSN won't serve you well enough in your 40's and 50's. Just food for thought.

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Specializes in Med./Surg., Diabetes, Med. ICU, home hea.

Yes, yes it does. As nursing jobs become harder and harder to acquire, as part time becomes more the norm, anything... and I mean ANYTHING that make you more marketable is the way to go. Heck, if you can afford it, get your masters and a minor in health care administration if you REALLY want to keep a good job!

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I just completed my BSN this early year. BIG whaaaahoey.

It has not done much for me.. at all. NO pay increase, recruiters are not knocking at my door. Is it just a worthless higher degree that gets me really.. nowhere? Feeling that way.

From what I can see, the younger you are the better your chances at getting your foot in the door, BSN or no.

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i'll never understand how some consider education a waste.:twocents:

leslie

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