Is an Associate's degree a waste of time?

Murseman2011 · Aug 30, 2012

I am in an ADN program right now and upon graduation, I will find work and then go back for my BSN. I like the ADN route better because you can start work and start making money to help pay for the rest of your school. I also plan on going back for grad school. =)

grantchatt · Aug 30, 2012

How long until you graduate? I have not even started the program yet, so I am kind of worried about using the 2-yr degree to find a job when the standard seems to be pushing towards BSN's. I'm not opposed to getting a BSN but I want to crawl before I walk, learn as I work in my career.

I am in an ADN program right now and upon graduation, I will find work and then go back for my BSN. I like the ADN route better because you can start work and start making money to help pay for the rest of your school. I also plan on going back for grad school. =)

nurseintx0511 · Aug 30, 2012

I graduated with an ADN and didn't find a job for 8-9 months because of it. Everywhere I applied wanted BSN nurses. I finally got a job at a smaller community hospital that was still hiring ADNs. I'm now working on my BSN so I can hopefully get on at a bigger hospital some day! But even the hospital I work at now is encouraging ADNs to get their BSNs.

grantchatt · Aug 30, 2012

Thanks! Scary thought to invest that much time, money and effort, only for it to not be good enough!

I graduated with an ADN and didn't find a job for 8-9 months because of it. Everywhere I applied wanted BSN nurses. I finally got a job at a smaller community hospital that was still hiring ADNs. I'm now working on my BSN so I can hopefully get on at a bigger hospital some day! But even the hospital I work at now is encouraging ADNs to get their BSNs.

missladyrn · Aug 30, 2012

I am an ADN and doing just fine. I think you should research your current area and see what the hospitals are requiring or requesting. It really does vary from place to place. Also keep in mind that if you work as an aide or tech at a hospital, they often waive the BSN "required" or at least this worked out for much of my graduating class.

MJB2010 · Aug 30, 2012

No, definitely not a waste of time. I say get the 2 year degree, get your RN then go back for the BSN if you need it. You can work as an RN and make an RN salary while finishing the BSN. You never know what the next 4 years may bring, get the RN. Some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for the BSN part, too. ANd like Missladyrn said, a lot of places will still hire a 2 year RN if they worked there as an NA during school.

allnurses Guide · Aug 30, 2012

As said above, this can be very regional. Is there a push to BSN? Yes, but it is also an employer market right now. Do I see that changing by 2015? Personally, no. But I am not an economist. I have my ASN. My employer is not pushing me to get my BSN but will pay for me to do so and I am pursuing that. For me, getting my ASN first has paid off handsomely. My employer paid for my schooling, my NCLEX review class, my NCLEX itself and will pay for my BSN. Free education and able to work as an RN after the first leg of it. Not too shabby. However, I do not think my situation is really the norm anymore.

bcandygurl · Aug 30, 2012

I had the same concerns. However, as someone mentioned above you can't anticipate what is going to happen in the future. Either way, it is going to take the same amount of time to complete. I am currently working on my ADN and I graduate May 2014. I am a second degree student too, and I chose this route because I need to continue working. After I complete my ADN, I'm trying to go the RN-MSN route. Not interested in getting another bachelors, but if I have to it is only one year more. Oh yea, not to mention you qualify for more scholarships and grant money. So basically I'm going to school for free with my employer's tuition reimbursement. I just have to pay for books and other supplies. I currently work in the healthcare field in research though...this may or may not matter.

sandyfeet · Aug 30, 2012

I recently graduated with an ADN and was transferred into an RN position at the hospital where I had worked as an aide for 6 months. In my graduating class all of the people who were working in hospitals before graduating have had the same experience; those who did not already work in a hospital have had mixed luck in finding jobs. In my RN interview I was told I needed to get my BSN, but my manager recommended not going to school during my first year on the job so that I could just focus on my job. If I were you, I would get a hospital job now so that you will have hiring priority over your classmates, and then you will know exactly what your hospital requires for RN jobs.

townsendtwin · Aug 30, 2012

I have been a BSN RN for 18 years and I remember when I was in nursing school, my instructors said the BSN would be the wave of the future. No, I do not think getting an ADN is a waste of time but I also DO NOT suggest terminating your education at the ADN level. I would highly, highly suggest getting a BSN. Some hospitals won't even look at your resume without it. Do I think that BSN nurses are better than ADN...absolutely not. I have worked with and trained some top notch ADN nurses during my career. Also, hospitals are now wanting Magnet status and to be designated as a Magnet Hospital, the facility must have a certain number of BSN nurses. To answer your question, yes... you should be able to get a job with your ADN and for some nurses, depending on where you live, it may take some time to get that first job. Take your "A game" to your first interview, speak intelligently and dress appropriately and by all means get that BSN!!!

roseonye · Aug 30, 2012

i just completed an LP-RN bridge onr yr program it was for me one of the best thing i did. you have bill to pay and ASN route is quick and u get work right away and start taking care of things, then you can take your time and complete the BSN.