Chance of ADN to get a Hospital Job?

BryanG · May 18, 2011

1) It depends where you are.

2) Even if you can get by with an ADN, try your absolute best to get a BSN. It may eventually be required, but most importantly, your patients are safer!

The bottom line is that evidence shows that hospitals with more BSN nurses have better patient outcomes. Furthermore, better patient outcomes means less stress on the hospitals (and more money). It is in the best interest of our profession to pull ourselves up and utilize evidence based practice. If we do not, we are doing a disservice to our patients and our profession.

This is not to say that ADNs are bad people or bad nurses. On the contrary, I'm sure many ADNs are terrific nurses. But it is always in our collective interested to better our profession. Despite the very valid points against it, I stand firmly that the BSN should be the standard.

Edit: Didn't see that you were bridging from ADN to MSN. Very wise decision in my opinion!

metal_m0nk, BSN, RN · May 18, 2011

The bottom line on those kinds of statements is hardly ever the bottom line.

The majority of the studies I've read that many tout as evidence for better patient outcomes with the employment of BSN prepared nurses in higher number, all fail to evaluate outcomes based on educational preparation alone. In fact, they most often lump educational preparation together with staffing (nurse/patient ratios), which proves to have a much stronger impact on patient outcomes than educational preparation - not an accurate portrayal.

cgravier · May 18, 2011

your instructors are idiots. Hell, most hospitals have LPNS doing the same job as RNs of any degree.

The ANA has been pushing for BSN standard for about 30 years now and its not happening any time soon. They are however, phasing out LPNs I know at 1 hospital at least.

The only study Ive read said that hospitals where RNs delegated less had better patient outcomes, in other words hospitals with more RNs than LPNs, pts faired much better. It didnt differentiate between ADN or BSN or MSA either just RN vs LPN (LVN)

my4helpers · May 18, 2011

preferred =/= required. just apply and then when interviewing, let them know you are working toward the BSN or that you have plans to go on.

Very true and I completely agree. However, if several are applying for the job and you have one ADN and one BSN, then I bet they would go with the BSN especially since it not a huge difference in pay. When I first went back to school (fall of 09) I didn't really see the need for my BSN since I am not going for my masters. My friend whom is a NP, said she would just go for the ADN if I didn't want my masters. It seems that the LTC will hire the ADN, but the hospital is a little more picky on who they choose. Sadly, I have no desire to work in a LTC.

meltnpointofwax · May 21, 2011

I think it just depends where you are. I live in florida, and i'm graduating from an ADN program in december. I work at a magnet hospital as an ACP, and my manager said he hires majority of ACP's on (from ADN program) after they graduate.

I've met many, new and old, with only their ADN.

the only place around here I've seen where a BSN is pretty much required is at the children's hospital.

I think you'll do fine finding a job with an ADN :redbeathe

Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 21, 2011

I guess it just depends on where you work. Here (in Alabama) ADN's are hired plentiful in our hospital. We actually have more than BSN's. We don't hire LPN's anymore at our hospital though and they are limited to the nursing homes. However, about 30 minutes down the road (in Georgia, it's even different. You'll fine BSN's,ADN's, and LPN's in the ER. Just depends on location.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · May 22, 2011

damn where does this put me, im in a diploma program! hah just kidding. the hospital that my school of nursing is apart of hires 80% of each graduating class, and i have plenty of friends with ADNs and diplomas that no problem getting jobs in hospitals. im not worried. but it may vary for people in different locations..

cgravier · May 22, 2011

I bet a million dollars the OPs instructor belongs to the ANA. They were telling students 20 years ago that BSN is the only way to go. They were wrong then and are wrong today.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 23, 2011

I just got an interview at a local hospital and I have an associates. We have 2 local magnet hospitals and both have majority Associate degree nurses working there.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 23, 2011

"Bottom Line"

It is always better to have the four year degree. It gives you more mobility in the medical world, and you are more likely to be hired for management positions with a BSN than a ADN. Also, most grad schools require a BSN to get into schools for Nurse Practitioning and CRNA schools.

meltnpointofwax · May 23, 2011

"Bottom Line"
It is always better to have the four year degree. It gives you more mobility in the medical world, and you are more likely to be hired for management positions with a BSN than a ADN. Also, most grad schools require a BSN to get into schools for Nurse Practitioning and CRNA schools.

if you want to get your masters, then sure obviously you need a BSN.

but if you want to work on the floor, an ADN is sufficient and sometimes better. my friends at the university complain that they don't get as much clinical experience as i do. they're doing a lot of paper writing and busy book work instead of spending as much time as possible on the floor.

just remember, that a patient will never say you're a bad nurse because you don't have a bachelors degree. in an ADN program, you will learn the important things first. you can always do an RN-BSN bridge program to learn how to do research later.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · May 23, 2011

I am a second year Nursing student and my classmates and I was having a discussion about jobs after Nursing. So one of my instructors stated that since we are getting an Associates Degree the chances of us getting a hospital job is slim and ADN nurses are more likely to work in a Nursing home. I wanted to know has anyone else heard this? If so what is your prospective on this matter?

Depends on where you are. One of my instructors put it this way. "The hospitals take the BSNs first. Then they move on/don't work out or whatever and then they look at the ADNs."

I know a few ADNs who did the nursing home thing for (quite a) few months before being hired by hospitals after the glut of graduating BSNs was weeded through.

I may very well be one of those.