I need guidance and advice, please. :)

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After 15 years of teaching Jr. High and elementary school music, I decided to take the plunge; my heart's true desire and calling...to become a nurse. So, I successfully completed all pre-reqs and decided I could only afford to go to a CC (with a great reputation). Before I signed up for the program, I hadn't caught wind of the rumors that the hospitals were moving toward hiring only BSN nursed. After waiting FOREVER on a two year waiting list, I finally secured my spot in the program only to learn that the major hospitals in the area ,like Banner Health, were only hiring BSN nurses. UGH!!! Are you kidding me?

So, here's the deal. I'm in my 3rd semester of my ADN program, and I currently hold a bachelor's degree and hold a current teaching certificate. I know that continuing my nursing education is inevitable, but I've been told that I should skip the BSN and go straight to a MSN since I already hold a degree. The problem is that most Master's programs required you to have been an RN working for 2 year to be considered. My question:

What are my chances of landing a RN position in a hospital with only my ADN (and other career and life experiences)?

Would it make any difference if I were to work a part-time CNA position for the hospital I would like to be hired by in the future?

Would hospitals consider hiring an ADN nurse who'd worked as a CNA for them?

Would I be better off to do a concurrent enrollment BSN?

Thanks in advance for you advice! : )

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

That would be really hard to answer because hospital hiring practices vary from town to town across the US. You'd really need to research the hospitals in your area and find out this info (e.g. call HR, ask nurse managers who work there, etc.)

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SopranoKris- Thanks for your input. Is it as easy as just picking up the phone and calling HR? If so, then I guess I wouldn't be stressing out and worrying about what my next move will be.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I think sopranokris advice was good. You literally can just call HR of the hospitals you are interested in and ask them if they hire ADN educated nurses or if they have a preference for BSN. They should be able to tell you. You can also bridge to BSN right after you graduate. Are you in AZ? I ask because you mention a two year wait list and Banner. I know a couple other states have Banner so if Im wrong my bad. But the MCCCD programs have agreements with a few of the nearby universities for pretty easy admittance into their bridge programs. ASU even has a guaranteed admittance agreement if you meet the minimum qualifications (2.75 selected pre req GPA, which is pretty low compared to their standard application required GPA). You could look into something like that just to get your BSN quickly and have an easier time getting a job. The bridge programs are usually 12-18 mos depending on how full of a load you take on.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
SopranoKris- Thanks for your input. Is it as easy as just picking up the phone and calling HR? If so, then I guess I wouldn't be stressing out and worrying about what my next move will be.

Yes! As stated above, you can ask the hiring managers in HR at the hospitals you're interested in.

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Thanks Ladies! And Yes, Mrsboots, I am in AZ. Did a little more research today, and I may be eligible for the MEPN program. : )

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I would take a look at all the job listings and call HR as well. The listings I've seen for banner only say BSN is preferred, not required.

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