I desperately need your help. I am 45 years old and am just starting college! Just about to finish my first semester. My goal was the 2 year RN degree. My friend( 42) just dropped out because she heard in 2016 things are changing. (Not sure what things.)
Is is POINTLESS to get an ADN? Will anyone hire a nurse with an associate's degree? This is going to take me a minimum of 3 years to accomplish...I am ALREADY old. Am I wasting my time and hard work? Should I pursue something like the one year surgical tech diploma?
Any advice would be truly appreciated. I live in Wisconsin.
I got my ADN in 2011 and heard the same thing. I've been hired at two magnet hospitals since then and had several job offers at other hospitals. Don't let anyone else's exp. discourage you.
Good luck, Jennifer Juniper (great song, btw)! When I was in nursing school our class president was 50, and she finished her MSN at 60. She's still working, and has been such an inspiration to many of us "more mature" nurses over the years.
I'm also in WI and can tell you that you should be able to find work. There are many hospitals that are going for BSN students, which makes sense in this market. I too am a ADN and was able to find work. Now the hospital closest to my home (I live more in the country) will only hire BSN's. They are a magnet hospital. I found work in Milwaukee then began a BSN completion program and was hired recently at a Federal facility that is a BSN preferred hospital. I have 4 classes yet to take so they liked my experience coupled with the almost complete completion program :) You may not get into a hospital right upon graduation, but yrs ago they were fading out LPN's and they are still being hired. Seems the market saturation allows employers to be a bit more choosy. Good luck and I graduated at 40.
I got my ASN at 40. I am now finishing with the requirements for the bachelors program. I did things backwards having kids early but no regrets just full of blessings. I have raised two daughters one of whom is graduating college this month. And I have to say it feels awesome to do something for me and that I love. I too felt I was old when I started the program. But reassurance came when I saw a lot of my classmates my age going back to college. It's never too late because time will pass no matter what you are doing, whether vegetating on a couch or going to nursing school. Go out there and get inspired because it will change the way you feel about yourself. Before you know it your name will be followed by a tittle with RN. Best of luck
And my friend that quit had flunked A and P twice.
Sometimes it's easier to blame outward circumstances (might as well quit, no one is hiring anyway) than inward circumstances (unable to successfully complete the required courses for a degree) for our actions.
I applaud you for investigating the job market. It's very important to be aware of your local RN market. If it seems your area is hiring ADNs then it would be imprudent to stop now.
I would also recommend going on to the BSN (hopefully at your employer's expense). No telling where the market will be in 10 years. I'm your age and I know how much slower my brain works than when I was in school the first time. One of my main motivators to return was the thought of not having the option to put off school when my brain cells were 10 or 20 years older.
I am 38 and will have my ADN by 40. It honestly all depends where you live, but I have not heard of any big changes coming around 2016. It's funny how the rumor mill gets started. But I will say your friend used that as a cop out. She probably wasn't doing well or decided she couldn't handle being a nurse and instead of just saying that used what she has heard around the rumor mill as her cover. I live in Indiana and in my area they still hire ADNs at the hospitals. Some of the hospitals in Indy may not but I live in a pretty rural area and they need nurses here. The hospitals here are always understaffed. We have 2 hospitals in my town and they partner with my school and hire from the new grads they produce. Just check around.
I'm glad you've decided to go for it :) like others have said, you can continue on for your BSN later and we never know what will happen in the market. No point in letting rumors discourage us!
It is not pointless to get a diploma-based or associate-based degree in order to become a RN. However, I would recommend having a plan to get your BSN shortly thereafter. I believe it is 2020 (not 2016) when things will be changing over. Do see if there are nearby programs that have dual enrollment with the associate degree program. That can save you a lot of money.
congrats on taking the initiative to go to college. Learning is never a waste no matter your age. I agree with the rest of the folks that once you have your ADN, you should have no prob getting a job and finishing your BSN. Also, there are also a number of accredited
on-line ADN to BSN programs out there too...And, it is never too late to start college! I am 50 and am in the process of completing my PhD. Best wishes!
I always believe any education and degree is a good thing! If you have a passion then keeping forward. I do believe the push to BSN prepared nurses is gaining momentum, so definitely consider that in you future plans. All the major hospitals in the area have mandated their staff to have a minimum of a BSN, but most have 5 years to get it done. They also have beefed up tuition re-imbursements, which is a good thing!! Good luck and enjoy your journey!! - thenurseteacher.com
I work in a hospital with both BSN and ADN nurses. I am BSN and really I can't tell much difference. I do know that when management openings come up they 100% require BSN. I would say talk with the hospitals you would actually like to work for. See if they are requiring BSNs. Are there still ADN nurses hired...well looking across the USA I would say "every single day", but who knows at the place you want to work.
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BSNbeauty, BSN, RN
1,939 Posts
I got my ADN in 2011 and heard the same thing. I've been hired at two magnet hospitals since then and had several job offers at other hospitals. Don't let anyone else's exp. discourage you.