difficult to find a job with an ASN?

arnwest · Jan 14, 2013

I think it depends on which market you're looking to work in. Where I live, Upstate NY, you can readily find a med-surg job as a new ADN graduate, whereas if you go downstate to the New York metro area you have to have a BSN and experience in order to find a job. But in general, I wouldn't worry about finding a job with an ADN, because, well, that's what I'm about to graduate with.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2013

I think it depends on which market you're looking to work in. Where I live, Upstate NY, you can readily find a med-surg job as a new ADN graduate, whereas if you go downstate to the New York metro area you have to have a BSN and experience in order to find a job. But in general, I wouldn't worry about finding a job with an ADN, because, well, that's what I'm about to graduate with.

I second this. I live in a town with a LARGE 4-year university and a state 2-year community college. Because of this there are constantly rumors that the hospital is going to stop hiring ASN's when in reality our hospital LOVES ASN's. We work hard, get our hands dirty, and are happy to have a job. We also don't move after we get our degrees, we just don't have the managerial classes the BSN's have. That being said, our hospital system does ask new grads to sign a contract indicating they will be getting a BSN within 5 years or an MSN within 7 years. That has to do with their status as a Magnate Hospital, nothing to do with the skills ASN's have. So basically it really depends on your area. Ask around. Check out the local hospitals, nursing homes, doctors office and see what they list as hiring. Are they asking for a BSN or are they listing "must be licensed as an RN"? When you distinguish those things you will be able to see what kind of market you're looking at. Good luck!

soxgirl2008 · Jan 14, 2013

It really depends where you live. I live in SE Wisconsin and the hospitals around here readily hire both. Most of the nurses at my hospital that I work with have their ADN. I know in major cities like Chicago it's harder toget a job with a ADN. Really just depends on your area.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Jan 14, 2013

Like another poster said. Depends on area. ADN nurses and new grads, in general, have absolutely no problem getting jobs in various settings where I live and go to school.

Most ADN students interview for and have provisional jobs before graduation, pending that the new hire pass their boards within a reasonable amount of time after graduation. Even those that fail Their NCLEX the first time still come back and get jobs after passing later, just maybe not the original job they wanted.

I'm in my last semester of an ADN program in SE NC and for the past 5 years our program has had 100% job placement within 6 months of graduation. In our programs entire history job placement has never been below 87% and that was years ago.

Most ADN nursing schools around here, and there are over 5, have nurse recruiters from various hospitals across the region (and state) come to their individual schools to recruit students and encourage them to apply for jobs early. Our school has done this every year for the past 15 years, I know for sure. The recruiters are coming to talk to my class in March.

Stephalump · Jan 14, 2013

My area is still ok for ADN grads, as long as you ate not dead set on working in a hospital. I'm close to a giant med center and it's virtually impossible to get in there as a new grad with an associates degree. The ads say "must have a BSN from an accredited university." GN programs are all closed off to ADNs, as are summer internships. Not exactly a friendly climate, but there are plenty of jobs outside of hospitals, and sometimes you can get around the issue by getting early acceptance to a BSN program and starting before you're hired, though.

There are some hospitals on the outskirts that are more forgiving, but there just aren't enough spots to go around!

PatMac10,RN, RN · Jan 14, 2013

Many hospitals I've seen, spoken with, or researched here in NC and other stares are telling me that they are/will actively be hiring ADN nurses, and even new grads; however the newly hired ADN nurse is required to sign, or verbally agree to, a contract saying they will be pursuing or have there BSN or greater in X amount if time. I think this is fair, for the most part since I intend to further my nursing education anyway. I just turned 20 in October and will be finding out if I'm accepted into a few RN to BSN programs and 2 RN to BSN/MSN programs in April and May.

x_factor · Jan 14, 2013

Depends on the area. Where I live, ADN grads are hired just as quickly and easily as BSN grads. There is also no shortage of nursing jobs in my area, thankfully.

Racer15, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2013

I had a job before I graduated, and I have an ADN. Most of my classmates are now RNs and working, so it's possible, but also depends on the area that you are in.

nursingstudent2013 · Jan 15, 2013

Try to get a job as a tech in the hospital you will have a better chance of your manager wanting to hire you. Also you can't be picky with your first job it might be on a med-surg floor, a doctor's office or LTC

BJR87 · Jan 16, 2013

if you don't mind me asking, which state are you in? I'm hearing alot of hospitals aren't hiring ASN's in my area, but some are willing to hire you if you sign a contract you'll get a BSN within 5 years. I def plan on getting the BSN, but I feel like if it's between an ASN going for a BSN and someone who already has the BSN, they'll choose the BSN.

soxgirl2008 · Jan 16, 2013

If you go for the ADN I'd recommend getting a job in healthcare if you can while you're in school. Around here hospitals care more about healthcare experience than they do about BSN/ADN.