getting hired in a hospital with an associates degree?

[chrisRN180]

Just curious to know what hospital job opportunities are available for nurses with only associates degrees. im from NYC and its not possible the get hired in a hospital with an associates degree and no experience. just wondering what major cities would it be possible to get hired in a hospital while doing an RN to bsn program, looking to relocate to another major city in the country so just curious to know what the best options would be if any? thanks

[GrumpyOldBastard, MSN, RN]

I have the perspective of coaching many ADN grads in their job hunt. Here is what I have seen:

--In many urban areas (especially where Magnet status is popular) the BSN is highly preferred for GNs.

--Even in urban areas with a BSN preference, solid bedside experience may open doors for GNs.

--One often does not need to go to "farmland" / "wildland" rural areas to see the preference for BSN fade. Often the outlying suburban areas are eager to hire ADN GNs.

--Based on the data that I have seen in my state, the key is to find an area without a local BSN education program.... they typically are eager to hire BSNs.

--The market for experienced RNs is far less "BSN" sensitive.

Consider this: Is nursing a "career" for you or are you just looking for a "job"? If a career.... go where you need to go for a few years. After a few years, you should have experience and your BSN. Then, you can go wherever you want!

[TheRuralNurse]

I am from rural Illinois, not far from the capital area where there are two major hospitals. I started my career working at one of the major hospitals in "the big city," and there were plenty of ADN's hired at the same time as me. Many of the new graduates practically hand picked what unit they wanted to work on (hardly anyone took medsurg jobs).

Chicago is a completely different entity from the rest of Illinois though (not really in a good way either, but talking about the terrible shape our state is in is a conversation for a different time. I will sum it up by saying today, it was announced in my workplace's quarterly meeting, that the state of Illinois hasn't paid our facility in 4 years). I have read posts on here from new graduate nurses who can't find a job in Chicago. You may have to spend some time in foreign lands to get the experience you want. Best of luck to you.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

In larger metro areas, hospitals generally push for applicants to have their BSN, especially if they're Magnet or Magnet wanna-be.

While I know the OP wants the convenience that living in a large metro area provides, they are probably going to have to suck it up and look at smaller, suburban or rural areas that are more likely to hire on ADNs. If location is that important to them and they're not willing to compromise on it, then they'll have to look outside the hospital box and look at LTC, LTAC, SNF, rehab, clinics, and other settings.