Can I get a job without a BSN?

[Rb72390]

Hello all,

I am planning on attending my local community college this winter with the intent to study nursing. I graduated from a four-year institution a little over three years ago with a B.S. Degree in Writing with a minor in history. I realize this means I will need prerequisites before applying to the nursing program. While researching this new career path, it seemed like the demand is far greater for a B.S.N. than an A.S. Will I be at a disadvantage for only having an associate level degree? Will my previous degree hurt my chances of emloyment since it is within the liberal arts?

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

The short answer is "yes" you can get a job without a BSN. The longer answer is that it really depends upon your location, what school you go to, and how willing you are to look beyond your local area to find that first job. It may take you a significant amount of time.

I from the Sacramento region and the vast majority of my classmates, certainly ALL of the ones that wanted to stay in Nursing, are working as nurses. Some had to look more than an hour or two away for that first job in a desired field but most that were willing to do med/surg type stuff found local jobs.

Being that you have a Bachelors already, you may be able to simply complete your prerequisites and enter a BSN program, completing the program in about 2 years, same as an ADN program. In my specific case, the local university wasn't taking any 2nd Bachelors students unless they were already enrolled so that wasn't an option for me at the time. I would have also applied to that program had it been an option. In any event, that program would have been 4 or 5 semesters (I forget exactly how many now) and my ADN program was 4 semesters so that part wouldn't have mattered much.

My advice is simple: If you can afford a BSN program, do the BSN program. You may or may not be actually a better nurse right out of school, but you'll have a slight academic edge over ADN-only nurses and you'll likely have much better prospects of getting a job reasonably quickly.

[WCSU1987]

If you can afford the cost and afford loss of work look into an ABSN program. I am a second degree student. I looked into ABSN programs, but couldn't afford the cost or lose hours at work. I am finishing my last prerequisites up at a CC hoping to attend their nursing program. Should mention work at a Magnet Hospital so employment after graduating is questionable, but would plan on applying to online BSN programs right after I achieve my license.

[kataraang, BSN]

Yes, I am an ADN nurse who got hired less than 2 months after graduation (though I had 2 previous non-nursing bachelors). I was hired under the condition that I would be enrolled in a BSN program within 6 MONTHS of hire. That's not much time to get it together! So, they prefer strongly BSN but they are giving me a chance.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

I would look into the ABSN like mentioned above. In most places, the demand for BSN's is greater than ADN's.

Good luck!

[Natalie513]

Depends where you are. In the Bay Area in California, you need a BSN unless you have experience. Experienced ADNs seem to have no problem getting a job, but as a new grad, no way. Maybe there are some exceptions but this seems to be the general rule.