BSN's REQUIRED to get a job??

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Alright so I'm still finishing my prerequisites to get into a nursing program. I've looked into accelerated programs like the one at CSUN, which is the school I'm closest to, yet they only accept 36 students each year and receive about 700 applicants. I already have a Bachelor's Degree in Education, so spending another 4-5 years in school seems to be another dim light at the end of a very long tunnel for me. Secondly my GPA unfortunately is only 2.9 and they require a 3.0! So my second option, which seems to be more realistic, is to apply to a 2 year RN program at some of the nearby Community Colleges in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles area. It may take me just a bit longer than the 15 months of intensive work, if I'm even accepted to an ABSN program, but I figured that I can complete the 2 year program, obtain a job at any hospital in the Los Angeles area, and then complete a BSN program at a nearby university also. Alright, so that was my plan. But now I hear that most hospitals nationwide are only hiring nurses with a BSN?? Yikes! is this true? Or can I still be hired to work in a hospital with an AS Degree in Nursing and a BA degree in Education. My teaching degree has to work for something, it sure isn't helping at all getting a permanent job as a teacher nowadays.

Please tell me life doesn't suck that much?!!

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Sorry, but the nursing school and nursing employment situation in the greater Los Angeles area is not very pleasant at this time.

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Specializes in Ortho/trauma acute care/med surg.
Sorry, but the nursing school and nursing employment situation in the greater Los Angeles area is not very pleasant at this time.

I second that:crying2: I just graduated from nursing school with an ASN and I have had one interview, but I don't think a BSN is required to get a job, but you will get in to a New Grad program faster than I will if you have a BSN. I spoke with a nurse recruiter at UCSD and she told me for 15 positions over 1200 new grads applied for the program and what they are looking for is previous experience in an acute care setting, a BSN even though they accept applications from ASN, they also look at if the person has had any extra clinical hours like an internship, if the applicant has volunteered anywhere. Just keep that in mind while in school. I didn't focus on that I was too focused on my classes I didn't do any of those things and now I am regretting it. :crying2: Good Luck to you!!

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Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Apply to wherever you can get in for the cheapest. If it turns out ASN is the easiest route then bridge to a BSN. The ASN programs are the hardest to get into, so you may have better odds of getting in if you to apply to a CSU given that you already have a Bachelors Degree. The job market is really hard right now for everybody, even BSN's. I don't foresee this changing anytime soon. Hope things are better for you when/if you do graduate and earn your RN.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

More than 60 percent of today's nursing workforce is educated at the associates degree level. However, due to the sluggish economy, there are too many nurses in California competing for too few jobs. Since hospitals can call the shots without begging, they can demand a BSN degree. After all, they now can pick and choose through thousands of unemployed applicants for what they regard as 'the cream of the crop.'

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Get the BSN from a reputable school. Unfortunately us ADNs arent getting even less offers than BSNs and getting your ADN to BSN is a pain. At least to me it is. I am doing it now with no job. working as a ADN and get your BSN is wishing thinking nowadays. There are too many nurses right now so if you really like nursing try to make yourself more marketable and not look for the quickest route. Go for BSN and get a job related to the medical field at the same time.

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