BSN vs. RN. Are they really more employable? Is it worth the money?

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in hospice.

I graduated with an ADN a year ago and still have not been able to find a good job. I am currently working at a long term care facility (which I hate) trying to get a year of experience as I am told this is necessary for hospital jobs. I feel lucky that I at least have a job, even though it is a bad one. Some of my classmates are paying $30 thousand dollars and up to get their BSN. Are the job prospects for a BSN any better? Do BSN nurses get paid that much more? I am concerned about the cost/benefit ratio. I do have some friends that have graduated with a BSN and are having a difficult time finding a jobs as well.

What is your opinion?

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Specializes in med/surg, hospice, peds, skilled rehab.

I have worked in a hospital my entire nursing career, from LPN to now BSN. I don't know where you live, but here in northeast Ohio, you do not necessarily have to have experience to be hired in a hospital. I do feel that continuing my education was worth it, but no, I do not make any more money than I did as an RN with an associate's degree. My facility is talking about making a BSN a requirement by 2020, and I know several hospitals are going to this, so I would say that if you can further your education now, you should. Employers do tend to prefer and 'seek out' a BSN-prepared nurse over ADN, however, experience counts too. As much as you dislike your current position, it is giving you some experience. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Many hospitals prefer to hire BSN's for even beginner-level RN jobs -- and most opportunities for career advancement require a BSN. So yes, if you are planning a career in nursing and don't want to be very limited in your job options, you should get at least a BSN.

However ... that doesn't mean that every BSN program is worth it. Some BSN programs are outrageously expensive and some are of very poor quality. It's not a good idea to spend a lot of money on a bad program.

Look for a highly respected, high quality program at a reasonable price.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Larger urban hospitals in TX are not hiring new grads unless they have a BSN. Some are only hiring BSNs for ALL RN positions.

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I was hired at a hospital in Missouri, I had done a few months in a nursing home and also did some disaster nursing for Red Cross. The hospital hired me with my ADN degree and also a BSN on the same day. I made more money than she did. If you do not have your BSN then dont plan on being in management ewwwwwwwww

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Yes. BSN requirement is already "here", and employment trends are in hot pursuit. Master's level requirement is even being "discussed" (see below)

Read the article in full here: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice

"In September 2012, the Joint Statement on Academic Progression for Nursing Students and

Graduates was endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American

Association of Community Colleges, Association of Community Colleges Trustees, National

League for Nursing, and the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. This historic agreement represents the first time leaders from the major national organizations representing community college presidents, boards, and program administrators have joined with representatives from nursing education associations to promote academic progression in nursing....

"In October 2010, the Institute of Medicine released its landmark report on The Future of Nursing, initiated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which called for increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the workforce to 80% by 2020....

"In May 2010, the Tri-Council for Nursing (AACN, ANA, AONE, and NLN) issued a consensus statement calling for all RNs to advance their education in the interest of enhancing quality and safety across healthcare settings. In the statement titled Education Advancement of Registered Nurses,...

"In December 2009, Dr. Patricia Benner and her team at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released a new study titled Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation, which recommended preparing all entry-level registered nurses at the baccalaureate level and requiring all RNs to earn a master’s degree within 10 years of initial licensure...."

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Two hospitals in my area have gone BSN only. The rest say "BSN preferred."

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