Do you HAVE to have your BSN?

[banfftank8]

For the short time I've been a pre-nursing a student, I've always heard it is best to get your BSN. People have made it seem that hospitals with good reputations won't hire RN's that don't have their BSN's anymore...

I don't want to believe this is true because I know MANY amazing nurses without their BSN and I think that'd be crazy to not hire them.

So my husband is about to graduate PT school and we may have to move out of the area for his work. Some of the areas we are looking at do not have BSN programs for me to apply to, only RN programs. In your opinion, should I go through the RN programs anyways? Is what I am hearing true? I want to be a PICU or NICU nurse. Can I get those jobs as a new RN with no BSN? Will I get paid much less than my BSN counterparts?

Thank you for your advice/opinions in advance!

[OldDude]

As usual, it's all about money. Do you need to start working ASAP? Do you have the funds to attend a 4 year program? Dogen gave you the best advice, start working and have an employer fund your online BSN.

PICU and NICU are specialties you will have difficulty securing with either degree. Your best bet would be to suck up to someone during your pediatric rotation.

Best of luck, I hope you get your dream job.

I'm with this...Ditto Dogen...I was in the last semester of ADN nursing school (I was looking for the path of least resistance) and preparing to break the news to my wife that nursing just wasn't going to be for me. I hated it. Fortunately my last semester was pediatrics and everything clicked. One of my instructors was on staff at a local pediatric hospital, took me under her wing, put in a good word for me with the ER manager and I attended my pinning ceremony on a Friday and started the pedi ER job as a GN the following Monday. I haven't taken a step toward BSN or do I plan to. So there...ADN VS BSN...it's all about attitude and opportunity; who can predict. Go with your environment and your gut.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The majority of local hospital systems in the large metropolitan area where I live do not hire new grad RNs who are without the BSN degree. Since there's a persistent surplus of new nurses in this area, requiring a BSN degree is an effective weed-out tool to reduce the number of applications through which HR staff must search.

However, ADN-prepared RNs dominate specialties such as home health, private duty, hospice, IDD/MHMR (developmental disabilities), psych, corrections, physical rehabilitation, and LTACH.

[CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P]

1. Google up some hospitals in the city you're considering moving

2. Find their websites, specifically the jobs, employment, or careers section

3. See if they require a BSN to work there

Based on the above, consider this:

1. Get an associate degree in nursing (ASN/ADN)

2. Pass the NCLEX

3. Get employed, depending on the above

4. Do BSN online for less money, maybe even get a discount or reimbursement through work

5. Never worry about whether you need a BSN again

You just nailed it.

[banfftank8]

Thank you all for your input. It sounds like it's definitely region dependent. I do have a BS in Biology (Pre med track) so I do often wonder if that would make a difference. I didn't realize that the online BSN was a cheaper option so thank you for opening my eyes to that! I will try to contact local hospitals/look at jobs postings to help me make my decision. I am currently working as a CMA for the largest healthcare provider in our area (Providence in Spokane,WA) so I hope that will help me get an "in" into the hospital and hopefully into a pediatric department.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

llg had a great point which is if you are moving to an area that doesn't have a lot of BSN programs, then is it unlikely the employers there are going to be that picky.

I have a couple of other points.

RN to BSN online is not necessarily cheaper. There is a wide range of prices and quality. That will require some investigation.

I work in a NICU. When I started there 13 years ago we hired whoever would apply as long as they seemed kinda with it. New grad or experienced, diploma, ADN or BSN.

For the last couple of years we have continued to hire a 10-20 nurses a year. I think the last ADN we hired was about 2 years ago and they had inside connections. All new grad ADNs have 2 years to finish, not start their BSN. Our competing NICUs in the area state they only hire BSNs though I'm sure they make exceptions like we do on occasion.

That being said, we have at least 4-5 four year universities with BSN programs within 50-75 miles of here.

[Joanie49]

I just got my ADN after considering BSN schools. Honestly I can break it down pretty easily the way I see it...

1. BSN is a lot more expensive. Plain and simple- I went to a very well known ADN program in Maine where area hospitals desire students from this particular program over any other schools. I know this would not matter if I left the state BUT still.... I think it depends what school you pick and how well they prepare you... My point here is that they are a lot cheaper and you can graduate a lot faster and get to work as a real nurse.

2. A LOT less time consuming. Yes the ADN is clearly time consuming as any nursing program but as far and years to complete its only two compared to four that you have to be at a college attending nursing classes and clinical and what not (from my own understanding and what others have told me about their BSN programs.)

3. You can always go back to school ONLINE and get your BSN- no problem! Classes online ADN-BSN are much cheaper then attending a BSN program from the start. I know many family members and friends who are doing this.

4. The area where I live (which may be different from you) only receives .25 cents more an hour for being a BSN.

5. Yeah looking for jobs a BSN may be chosen over you possibly but this is so VARIABLE- TRULY! But, I have not had ANY issue getting interviews (I only just starting applying this week) and getting calls from possible employers- again this may be different where you live.....

OVERALL- If you can afford a BSN program and have the time to commit it would be "nice" I guess to just get it done and over with and have your BSN.. But you DO NOT "need" you BSN to get hired. Like many others have said above you may be asked to complete a BSN in a certain amount of time which is not unreasonable I feel- a lot of hospitals will help pay towards that too which is a MAJOR PLUS.

I liked the CHEAPPP tuition honestly- I got a VERY good education at my school. I feel very prepared for an entry level nurse and to sit for the NCLEX... My school has a passing rate of over 90% for first time test takers... I hope whatever you choose truly works out for you in the best way possible!

BTW- I just re read your post- I know nurses in my area that have ADN's whom work in the NICU. I believe you DO need experience though- such as med surg if fresh out of nursing school. That is always a plus to have med surg experience on a resume. It may mean you do med surg work you may not "enjoy" as much as being a NICU nurse but the experiences will be overwhelming helping and build your desire to employers.

I hope this has been helpful for you! There are also a lot of youtube videos I watched when making my decision if you just type in ADN vs BSN or something along those lines. :) :)

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

There are a lot of great BSN programs that are online and affordable. Check out Western Governors University. Inexpensive, on your own time frame. But, you do need to be employed, at least when you make your application.

[MauriB727]

I'm in NYC. Knee deep in the job search, just passed NCLEX with an ADN. Pretty much every hospital states BSN required or preferred and that you must start within a year. Once you get out of the city, it's a little better. Also, some agencies have a quasi-residency doing Home Health Nursing. They train you in vent care, you have a brief preceptorship. But you have to have license IN HAND. The license number isn't good enough. I'm waiting to start employment because I'm waiting for my hard copy license. Sigh.

Bright side... there are a lot of online BSN programs from accredited schools once you get your license if you are like me and dread the thought of being in the classroom again so soon after finishing.