is it easy to find a job with an associate nursing degree?

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hi all. i am a nursing student in NJ and will be graduating next year. I will get my associate nursing degree when I graduate. My question is is it easy to find a job with an associate nursing degree? or should I transfer to another 4yr college to get my BSN. (I currently volunteer in an local hospital and only have my school clinical hours as experience)

thank you all!

It's not easy to find a job. Period.

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Specializes in Home Health.

In my area hospitals say "BSN preferred" with 2 years experience in whatever position you are applying for. One hospital in my are says "BSN required" for every position. So a new grad BSN is still going to have trouble finding a hospital job.

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Studies in AZ show no difference in ability to obtain a job between ASNs or BSNs.

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Specializes in Utilization management, psychiatric-mental health.

Hey everyone,

I think it depends on the region. I am in NYC and the hospitals "require" or "prefer" you have your BSN so like everyone say, they are the ones that "control" the market. Who knows, soon the schools may start changing and community colleges may have to do away with their associate degreee programs because I think the field of nursing will require you to have your BSN. But here in NYC, it's tough and even if your a BSN grad, it's still hard because the hospitals turn you down, nayway since you have no experience. I believe you have to have a connection with someone who works in hospital. I think networking (for NYC) is the way to go...

I am open to othe suggesstions, though. Currently, I am volunteering in a hospital but I chose the wrong unit so I have no interactions with patient and I am not allowed to do anything, I am stuck there for a year. I will just deal with it but hopefully I get something in the mean time...good luck everyone...

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Specializes in LTC.

I would lay my eggs in different baskets. Apply for RN jobs and at the same time go ahead and apply for BSN program. Have you considered RN-BSN programs? There are now also some RN-MSN programs. Continuing your education in the mean time might be a golden egg investment in the future. A number of hospitals here in my area are moving towards Magnet status and this means they are preferring to hire BSN nurses, even though they still hire ADN for the same pay.

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