Is it impossible to get on at Cook/Children's without a BSN?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

New grads with a BSN degree definitely have the upper hand in the DFW area due to the sluggish economic situation. To be perfectly blunt, there are too many nurses in the local job market competing for a very limited number of job openings, so within the past couple of years local hospitals have started using the BSN as a weed-out tool to eliminate the number of applications that they must sort through.

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2011

Yep, having an ADN and not a BSN is definitely a disadvantage right now almost everywhere you look. If it lasts long enough it will become the new standard. I have already applied to start my BSN in January after graduation in December.

Particularly in high desire specialties you will have trouble finding a job as an ADN grad. Pediatrics, NICU, L&D, ICU, ER - you know, the ones everyone sticks their hands in the air when asked "who wants to go into...." - the level of competition means pretty much no chance for an ADN unless you know someone on the inside. Even if they take applications from ADN grads, the level of competition is so high it is freakish. 100s of applications per slot....last go 'round for the June internships the average was 300+ applications per internship slot according to the recruiters I spoke with. Most are having to go into jobs that aren't their first love until they get experience and their BSN done.

smvtx23 · Sep 3, 2011

I have heard this many times and I am afraid it is a reality. I will be bridging over as well after December graduation for my BSN. I am lucky enough to have a job in a great hospital now so I am thankful for that. I guess the guidelines for all of the top Pediatric hospitals will just give me another goal to work towards. :)

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2011

That is definitely the right attitude to have :)

PediNurse3 · Sep 5, 2011

It's not impossible, but it helps if you are already established there when you graduate- whether as a care parter, secretary, etc.

Both are fabulous organizations to work for and are just flooded with applications...I agree with the previous posters who said that they're using the BSN as a way to weed thru them. Keep your eye on the prize!

oshkosh20 · Nov 14, 2011

It is definetly the norm right now in DFW. All of the hospitals have gotten together and made it a priority to have new hires have their BSN's. I think this is total bullcrap. I was lucky enough to get a position offered to me in critical care with a ADN. But I have 3 years experience as an RN and 3 years as an LVN. Definetly will be working on my BSN next after I get comfortable in my new job. Good luck and just be persistent.