Is a RN diploma enough in the northeast (U.S.)

[Trinitas2010RN]

Hello

I am newer RN that passed the NCLEX in New Jersey this last February. As up to this point I have not been able to find employment in New Jersey. So I have applied for and received reciprocity from Connecticut. So far I have received some feed back from Connecticut but nothing solid. Now of course I understand that the state of the current economy is playing a large role in the hiring practices of hospitals, longterm care facilities, etc. But I wondering if (at least in my case) I'm not being considered for nursing positions because I just have a nursing diploma vs. a BSN in nursing. So I'd like to ask you guys two questions in this tread.

1. Is a nursing diploma enough to gain employment in the northeast region of the U.S.?

2. What make the BSN so much more desirable to employers over a A.S. or Diploma program for entry level positions?

Thanks ahead time for all those who reply.

[Zookeeper3]

As an RN whom has worked both in the north and south east of the US and is shy of a BSN I can only tell you my exp.l in the ICU's.

I am part of a small interview team and am allowed to give the yeah or nay on applicants. As you well know, there is a surplus of new or newer RN's looking for gainful employment. When I am between two new or comparable nurses, that interview equally, the BSN is chosen hands down. One is our goal to magnet status, two, a BSN brings additional experiences and training that can lead to better patient outcomes. Three, even if the BSN is an ill fit to our unit, once in the system... what they can bring as a higher learned set towards risk management, infectious disease, middle management, systems analytical analysis for evidenced based outcomes......

What I'm trying to say nicely, people like you and I are trained bedside nurses. I have the benefit of 15 years exp. where I've gained more than an entry BSN and I'm more marketable without the initials (primarily because I am a preceptor, charge and bedside RN). Coming in with an A.A.S. at this time in the market does present a bigger initial HIRING challenge. What you do from there is up to you.

So to be able to compete, you may have to temporarily choose long term care, hospice, home health...a doc's office.. to gain skills to compete at a later date.

YOU ARE STILL VALUABLE, but you may be forced due to an abundance of applicants to start somewhere not of your first choice to be competitive shortly against the new BSN's.

We desperately need you, only there are sections of the country now that can be choosy and that may force you to do a year or two somewhere else. Do NOT give up! The NE is VERY competitive, but you may just be lucky enough to find the right market place that doesn't have applicants banging at the door. If so, snagg that quickly, do your best and get an incredible reference!

This tide always turns, but you need to be employed gaining skills and a paycheck meanwhile.

[Irishlass79]

I am in a suburb of Philadelphia, it is just as bad here. BSN required, if you do not currently have a BSN then they are expecting you to get one within two years. I think it would be wise to get however, in a few years there will be a nursing shortage again. A lot of 50-60 something nurses were ready to retire but with the economy they are hanging on to the jobs. I think the 401 k and other retirement plans tanked and they are finding they may need more to retire. I am going to keep going, I do not want to find myself 50 and being told I need a masters!

[Bobbkat]

I'm in CT, a 2009 grad with a BSN. I submitted 200 aps before finding employment. It is pretty cut-throat here. My hospital is currently in the application process for magnet status. They aren't hiring only BSN nurses, but they are definately preferring them. Like the PP said, all other things being equal, the new grad with a BSN will be hired over the one without.

[krystallgold]

Good question.

So where in the US do they need/welcome an experienced bedside nurse?

[vlomankill]

i disagree, at last for upstate NY its fair game. this is mostly due to the fact that the BSN programs do not have a good reputation and the ADN programs do. I agree with gaining experience, but do not believe that the BSN are obtaining jobs just because they are BSN.

[Bobbkat]

I agree, try Upstate NY. They must not have the glut that the other areas of the country have right now, because they were one of the few areas that responded (with an offer of an interview) to every application I submitted. I ultimately decided that I would rather keep plugging away in CT rather than relocate, but things definately looked brighter for new grads in upstate NY.

[kayern]

I was an AAS RN when I first started out, obtained my BSN, two certifications and currently working on a Masters. In the greater NY area BSNs are getting most of the acute care positions. In today's economy I would take a position wherever you can and get yourself back in school as soon as tuition reimbursement kicks in.

[smartnurse1982]

it seems different areas of the country are going different ways with the current economy.

The northeast seems to prefer bsn educated nurses. However,on the opposite end they prefer lpns in the southeast. That's because down there the lines seem blurred between the 2 licences so much that lpns can do all the things rns can.