Hospital work - RN vs. BSN?

hollybear1414 · Feb 13, 2009

They'd probably prefer to hire ADN's because they get paid less! (the ecomony ya know..)

Plus I've heard of hospitals preferring to hire grads from ADN programs because they've had more on the job clinical experience than BSN program grads.

ammin · Mar 20, 2009

First, I don't believe there is such thing as "just an RN". A RN/ADN has to pass the same test as a BSN. Pay differentials likely depend on the facility and the geographical region. I am in rural West Central MN and I know one hospital in the area does not have much (if at all) of a pay difference between RN and BSN where as the other about 20 miles away has a big difference. There are also online program options if you are dedicated and disciplined such as MSCTC where you do most your course work online with some lab classes held on a campus plus clinicals. And of course you can get your ADN then decide if you want to get your BSN.

AKFLIGHTRN · Mar 20, 2009

Hello all,
I'm sure this is a much over-asked question, but I am wondering whether it would be better to get an RN or BSN degree here in Minnesota. I specifically want to work in a hospital and have heard that it would be more advantageous to have a BSN.
However, because of money, I'm not sure I could afford to get a BSN right now. The only place I think I could go would be St. Kate's because it would allow me to keep my day job while attending the weekend college. Unfortunately they're advertising that it's $424/credit now. Ouch!
So anyway, to summarize: would I have any hope of working in a Twin Cities hospital with just an RN degree? Or do I really need a BSN to be competitive?
Thanks in advance for your help. I really enjoy reading what you guys have to say on this board.

There is Metro State that has satellite RN-BSN programs at various Community colleges (most are night and weekend programs). If you look at the NHCC website (http://www.nhcc.edu), there is an online BSN program being offered from Wisconsin. There are other options out there for your BSN, many completely online.

Matt

truern · Mar 20, 2009

They'd probably prefer to hire ADN's because they get paid less!

Not true in this state. Starting wages are the same, but there's opportunity for advancement with a BSN.

jnsk99 · Mar 26, 2009

Ammin,

Forgive me for saying "just an RN" - I have a bad habit of using the word "just" and by no means meant to demean the work it takes to become an RN.

Anyway, I guess I'm not really as concerned about pay as much as I am about getting hired at a Twin Cities area hospital in the first place. Do you guys think there is a chance for someone with an associate's degree to get a job in a hospital or do they all want BSNs?

futurecnm · Apr 10, 2009

starting wages are not the same, but they are pretty close. Maybe $1 or less difference. You can get a job with a ADN. They have a mix of both degrees in the hospitals.

OrthoRN09 · Apr 11, 2009

They'd probably prefer to hire ADN's because they get paid less! (the ecomony ya know..)
Plus I've heard of hospitals preferring to hire grads from ADN programs because they've had more on the job clinical experience than BSN program grads.

BSN nurses only make about $0.50 an hour more than AD nurses where I work.

ammin · Apr 11, 2009

jnsk99,

I forgive you. I am not as familiar with the Twin Cities marketplace as others may be; however, I believe you would find emplyment as a ADN. I liked the idea of getting my ADN because of the shorter time and lower price and moving on to a BSN program as a junior and not worrying about paying higher tuition for generals. Good luck!

Leyla~ · Jul 6, 2009

I don't know that it will make a difference either way if the economy keeps going downhill the way it is. ADN at a community college is a much cheaper option, and in some cases you'll get a better education. St. Kates has had some issues over the past years from the rumors I've heard; almost lost accredidation for low NCLEX passing rates, sued by the students because they didn't graduate some who had passed the course (because they didn't want too many students taking the NCLEX at once), and the possibility of being kicked out every 6 weeks if you aren't performing to standards. That's not the sort of course I'd want to be paying big bucks for.

jnsk99 · Jul 6, 2009

I don't know that it will make a difference either way if the economy keeps going downhill the way it is. ADN at a community college is a much cheaper option, and in some cases you'll get a better education. St. Kates has had some issues over the past years from the rumors I've heard; almost lost accredidation for low NCLEX passing rates, sued by the students because they didn't graduate some who had passed the course (because they didn't want too many students taking the NCLEX at once), and the possibility of being kicked out every 6 weeks if you aren't performing to standards. That's not the sort of course I'd want to be paying big bucks for.

I'd never hear rumors like that, Leyla. Care to elaborate?

PS. I couldn't figure out how to PM on this site, or I would have done so.

Leyla~ · Jul 7, 2009

That was pretty much it. It was fall of 2005 I think that one of our instructors mentioned the nearly losing accreditation at an end of the semester get together. I heard from a coworker this past year that she heard about the lawsuits. Like I said, rumors. I don't know about any sort of fast track BSN program, but for the main class, that I've heard from many people that they teach in 6 week segments, fail a segment and you're out of the course.

Also, I have an acquaintance who graduated ahead of me telling me I had to take Kaplan (the NCLEX prep course) after I graduated because that's what she was doing because a friend of hers at the hospital where she was working managed to get straight A's at St. Kates and failed the NCLEX.

As for me, I didn't get straight A's, didn't take the Kaplan and passed the NCLEX on my first try.

I haven't been through their program, it could be fantastic. These are just things I've heard. And I think it's strange that I haven't heard a whiff of anything about any other school's nursing program.

Like I said, lots of rumors. Do some research. Talk to people who've been through the classes. And if you go to an information session ask how many students that start the program make it to the end, and of those, what's the NCLEX passing rate. Don't spend a fortune on a lousy education.