Is having a ADN useless these days?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

Published

Do employers favor those with a BSN ?

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I can hold a conversation about Jung or Faulkner.

I can hold a conversation about Jung or Faulkner without being forced to take a class about Jung or Faulkner. Being conversant about Jung or Faulkner is not going to make me a better nurse.

If I want to take classes to make me a more well-rounded person, I will audit one (and I have). I resent being forced to take them as part of a science degree. If I wanted to do that, I would have been a liberal arts major.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
Well, what about for intrinsic reasons?

I've already taken the courses (or their equivalents) that differentiate a BSN from an ADN - and more.

I have a BS. I've already garnered the intrinsic value of a Bachelor's degree. It would be a waste of time and money for me to take them twice - with little to no gain (intrinsic or otherwise).

I wouldn't pursue a BSN in order to tell everybody else I was a BSN--I don't think I would advertise it either, except for in an interview.

Riiiiiiight.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Okay everyone - let's keep this civil.

A little hint though: this discussion - ADN versus BSN isn't going to be solved - its been going on for many more years than I've been around!

Keep it polite.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Being conversant about Jung or Faulkner is not going to make me a better nurse.

I never said it made me a better nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Riiiiiiight.

Right. Because I go around with a sign that says "I've earned a BSN from one of the top universities in the country." Oh, by the way, I never fail to mention that I hold multiple degrees. Who attends one of the top universities in the country that ends up costing about $200k for 4 years (although clearly I didn't pay that much--scholarships, financial aid, etc.--but I did pay quite a bit) for "lunch room bragging rights." I've never heard anything more ridiculous.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you get your ADN, start working, and then work on your MSN (would be my route) makes sense with tuition reimbursement.

The problem is that in some areas of the country, ADNs aren't getting the *opportunity* to start working. That's what a lot of this conversation is about. What are employers asking for these days? I went on a job interview where the recruiter told me point-blank that they had gotten 400+ applications and they threw out all the ASNs "because we're Magnet now and we need more BSNs". That wouldn't make me feel too great if I had my ASN. Again, that's my part of the country. I know it's not like that everywhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.
The problem is that in some areas of the country, ADNs aren't getting the *opportunity* to start working. That's what a lot of this conversation is about. What are employers asking for these days? I went on a job interview where the recruiter told me point-blank that they had gotten 400+ applications and they threw out all the ASNs "because we're Magnet now and we need more BSNs". That wouldn't make me feel too great if I had my ASN. Again, that's my part of the country. I know it's not like that everywhere.

Exactly. In my area, all RN job postings are asking for "BSN only" or "BSN preferred." I recently interviewed for three student internships, two were large private sector hospitals, and one was the local VA hospital. The nurse recruiter at one of the private sectors said she only hires BSN students/grads into her ED, and the other hospital HR person said that BSN students/grads are given preference in the applicant pool. For the VA, I was offered a position for an honors internship (VALOR program) which leads to a new graduate RN job as long as positions are vacant at the time of graduation. This was an internship only open to BSN student applicants.

I think that being in this degree program (as opposed to a community college) has helped me immensely. I don't think it's fair to ADN students to keep shelling out money, only to be left with no opportunities. Not that the opportunities for BSNs are vast, but I think you get the point. With the job market changing, I can foresee nursing changing also. If BSNs are going to be preferred, then RN-BSN programs should be more accessible, less expensive, and conducive to a working RN's schedule.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The problem is that in some areas of the country, ADNs aren't getting the *opportunity* to start working. That's what a lot of this conversation is about.

I think you will find that with BSN new grads too. That argument is not ADN vs. BSN, it's "how does a new grad gain experience in this economic climate?"

If you have at least a few years of experience under your belt, you should not have difficulty finding a job, regardless if you hold an ADN or a BSN. I speak from personal experience, as someone who just moved to a different state and was able to find a job within a week (same as my husband, also an ADN RN). At a magnet hospital, I might add.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
With the job market changing, I can foresee nursing changing also. If BSNs are going to be preferred, then RN-BSN programs should be more accessible, less expensive, and conducive to a working RN's schedule.

I don't think the job market is changing, though. This is a cyclical phenomenon that happens every few years. In 2-3 years, the economy will have improved, the older RNs who *were* going to retire but put it off, will now retire. The RNs who came out of retirement during the recession will now go back into retirement, and the nursing shortage will again be in full swing. RNs are a VERY aging demographic.

As far as RN-BSN programs, there are plenty that are accessible and convenient for a working RN's schedule. The vast majority of them are 100% online. My husband's program is around $10K, I believe, which is pretty inexpensive for a bachelor's degree.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.
I don't think the job market is changing, though. This is a cyclical phenomenon that happens every few years. In 2-3 years, the economy will have improved, the older RNs who *were* going to retire but put it off, will now retire. The RNs who came out of retirement during the recession will now go back into retirement, and the nursing shortage will again be in full swing. RNs are a VERY aging demographic.

As far as RN-BSN programs, there are plenty that are accessible and convenient for a working RN's schedule. The vast majority of them are 100% online. My husband's program is around $10K, I believe, which is pretty inexpensive for a bachelor's degree.

I hope what you're saying about the economy improving in 2-3 years is true, but I respectfully disagree. I think it will take many years to get out of this mess, and the job market has already changed drastically.

That's great that your husband found a good program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I hope what you're saying about the economy improving in 2-3 years is true, but I respectfully disagree. I think it will take many years to get out of this mess, and the job market has already changed drastically.

That's great that your husband found a good program.

My crystal ball is broken, so I guess only time will tell. I know I'm not the only one who believes that, though. I've talked to several people in nursing administration who agree that in a few years, the current crunch we're seeing now will have changed. These people have the benefit of being in the business for 20-30 years, and have seen several such cycles come and go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.
My crystal ball is broken, so I guess only time will tell. I know I'm not the only one who believes that, though. I've talked to several people in nursing administration who agree that in a few years, the current crunch we're seeing now will have changed. These people have the benefit of being in the business for 20-30 years, and have seen several such cycles come and go.

Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinions. As I said previously, I hope what you're saying ends up being the case. I am just going by what I've seen and heard around my neck of the woods. (But as a 25 year old, what the heck do I know, anyway?) ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment