Do employers want BSNs or does it matter?

Published

Just curious...since you guys are out of school now and into the "real" nursing world...

In general, do employers seem to be more impressed with a BSN? Or does it matter? I'm sure that with the shortage it isn't an issue affecting whether or not you'll be hired...but are you finding that it makes any difference in starting salary, getting your first choice of area/department, etc.?

Thanks,

Karen

I am new to this forum and wanted to say to all of you out there to go straight from your ADN or diploma program to at least the BSN program. I would give anything if I had just started my BSN basics early on before I got so old. I got my ADN the year I turned 40 and have been a nurse for just over 12 years....you do the math. Needless to say the older I get the harder it is for me to start working on my BSN. I am gathering my letters now and want so badly to get my BSN before I die! I have had lots of health problems for the past few years so it is even harder for me to get motivated! I pray God will give me the strength to get through it and the mental capcity to pass do well as far as my grades. Most of the nurses here are ADN other than those in administration or education. That is what I would love to do! I would love to be involved with diabetic or other type of education. I work in the Regional Transfer Center of a 360 bed hosp. We are the Regional Trauma Center and I deal with the helicopter and the calls from the outlying areas. I am going to put in for a transfer to our ER next week on the clinic side. I doubt I can deal with the pace on the acute side. Anyway get after it and keep on your education ASAP! Dont put it off any longer that absolutely necessary. Even just one class a year....anything to be working toward that goal. God Bless you all!

If you want to go after your BSN, go for it. You can do it! Trust in god to give you the strength to get through. I think you will be fine. I think other posters will agree with me when I say that we are all here for you, and wishing you the best!

I am new to this forum and wanted to say to all of you out there to go straight from your ADN or diploma program to at least the BSN program. I would give anything if I had just started my BSN basics early on before I got so old. I got my ADN the year I turned 40 and have been a nurse for just over 12 years....you do the math. Needless to say the older I get the harder it is for me to start working on my BSN. I am gathering my letters now and want so badly to get my BSN before I die! I have had lots of health problems for the past few years so it is even harder for me to get motivated! I pray God will give me the strength to get through it and the mental capcity to pass do well as far as my grades. Most of the nurses here are ADN other than those in administration or education. That is what I would love to do! I would love to be involved with diabetic or other type of education. I work in the Regional Transfer Center of a 360 bed hosp. We are the Regional Trauma Center and I deal with the helicopter and the calls from the outlying areas. I am going to put in for a transfer to our ER next week on the clinic side. I doubt I can deal with the pace on the acute side. Anyway get after it and keep on your education ASAP! Dont put it off any longer that absolutely necessary. Even just one class a year....anything to be working toward that goal. God Bless you all!

Our hospital is a "magnet" institution & they claim they want BSNs & they encourage people to go back to school. One of their selling pts during interviews is the % of RNs who have BSNs. However, there is no extra compensation. Additionally, an ADN or BSN trained nurse are the exact same thing on the floor -- I haven't noticed any difference in skill level or knowledge. ADNs and BSNs are valued the same, in terms of promotion (except at the upper management level; in that case, people need an MSN @ this hospital) -- really it's the "RN" part that makes all the difference!

One hospital down the street pays $2 more per hr for having a BSN. However, no one wants to work there, so they're looking for recruitment tools to attract more nurses. They want to appear to be "pro-education". In reality, the place is a snake pit to work @, from what I've heard.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

First - welcome to AllNurses! I say go for it - you can do it. I just completed the BSN online and am now in an online MSN. I too am getting older - almost 46 now and know that in order to have options (at least where I work) I will need an MSN. Good luck...judi

For general staff nurses, I think all most employers want right now is a valid license and a pulse. :chuckle

So true!

:chuckle

Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.
I am new to this forum and wanted to say to all of you out there to go straight from your ADN or diploma program to at least the BSN program. I would give anything if I had just started my BSN basics early on before I got so old. I got my ADN the year I turned 40 and have been a nurse for just over 12 years....you do the math. Needless to say the older I get the harder it is for me to start working on my BSN. I am gathering my letters now and want so badly to get my BSN before I die! I have had lots of health problems for the past few years so it is even harder for me to get motivated! I pray God will give me the strength to get through it and the mental capcity to pass do well as far as my grades. Most of the nurses here are ADN other than those in administration or education. That is what I would love to do! I would love to be involved with diabetic or other type of education. I work in the Regional Transfer Center of a 360 bed hosp. We are the Regional Trauma Center and I deal with the helicopter and the calls from the outlying areas. I am going to put in for a transfer to our ER next week on the clinic side. I doubt I can deal with the pace on the acute side. Anyway get after it and keep on your education ASAP! Dont put it off any longer that absolutely necessary. Even just one class a year....anything to be working toward that goal. God Bless you all!

Welcome to allnurses. I don't think you are too old to go for your BSN. I just graduated with a BSN and I'm 45, had been a homemaker for several years, have 5 teens and a husband. There were quite a few 30 somethings, 40 somethings and even a couple of 50 somethings in my graduating class. At the school I went to an ADN RN was able to get the BSN by taking classes online if they chose to do so. I say go for it....

First - welcome to AllNurses! I say go for it - you can do it. I just completed the BSN online and am now in an online MSN. I too am getting older - almost 46 now and know that in order to have options (at least where I work) I will need an MSN. Good luck...judi

Quick question. Ialready had a BS in psych then got my LPN then I went to online to get my rn and then I was accepted for a msn program at a local college three years ago. I took bridge course, but secondary to my husband not being supportive, I decided to wait. now I do not know if 1- re-accept me 2- I should do it online and just get my bsn first. or forget it. I like studying and want to someday be a nurse educator. I have two children that I need to save for them to go to college(one is 11 and one is 14) and my husband who thinks that I should not bother going to school. I also like where I work(its a medical floor at a teaching hospital in Boston) I am also 38 aout to be 39. What do you think

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