Job and salary outlook for a new grad with an associate degree?

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I just completed my first year at a 4 year state school. I transferred in, but was only considered a freshman. I had to leave my previous college (and entirely different major) 4 years ago due to money issues (my aunt stopped cosigning my loans halfway through my second year - geez luck is not on my side for progressing to a big person job :/).

I was trying to internally transfer into the nursing program at this school by taking all the pre-reqs, but I just got a rejection letter. I'm in absolute shock and didn't plan for this, as I was doing very well. I'm waiting to hear back from the nursing department as to why I didn't get in, but in the mean time, I'm contemplating my options to become a nurse.

One of those is continuing on at this school and taking even more pre-reqs to apply to the program a second time. This would mean more debt I can't afford, and who knows if I'd even get accepted, if they didn't take me this time?

My only other option to become a nurse is transferring to a certain nearby community college and getting a 2 year degree instead. I think that is my best option right now.

That's my only other option because I owe money to my old college, so they will not release my transcript a second time without me paying more money that I don't have. My transcripts are already at this community college, as it was my back up plan, because any other nursing school would be too much money.

Anyway, now that I've rambled:

Where in MA (central or eastern) can a new RN with an associates get a job? What type of facility? Probably not a hospital, right? What about a community hospital? Or, is it only possible or more likely to get a job in a nursing home or long term care facility? Is it more difficult to find a job with only an associate degree?

How about starting pay? Would a new nurse with just an associate degree expect to make? Especially vs. BSN?

I would hope in the future to do an RN to BSN, so starting salary for nurses in that case would be appreciated as well.

I want to do whatever it takes to become a nurse; I really hope I can :( it's my passion and I want it more than anything. If worse comes to worst, maybe I'll have to stay at my current school and get a degree in something else... I would just hate it if that were the case, as I want to be a nurse more than anything.

Thank you for any and all responses.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Hospital jobs for non-BSN prepared new grads in Boston do not exist. None of the big hospitals in Boston (MGH, BI, the Brigham, BMC, Tufts, Children's) will even glance at the resume of a non-BSN prepared new grad. Even the smaller hospitals are beginning to require BSN. There are plenty of BSN programs in the state and every new nurse and her mother wants to work at these hospitals so the hospitals can afford to be picky. Not to mention, there is a surplus of nurses in the Boston area.

Perhaps some community hospitals closer to central Mass would consider a new grad with an associates degree. I know Milford Hospital employed many ADN prepared RNs way back when. I don't know what it's like there now. You might have luck with LTC but I'm not sure... even BSN prepared new grads have been having a hard time finding jobs in the past few years.

IF you can find a job, salary difference will not be significant- if there is a difference at all.

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I figured Boston was a no go. That's a far away dream for me at this point :) I was thinking anywhere east of Worcester when I said that. I know I need a BSN and experience to work there. At this point, I'll be happy with ANY nursing job I can find when I get my license. I know I can't afford to be picky, but I'll work wherever I can while I get experience.

My current plan is to take a class at the Red Cross to become certified as a CNA, then work full time for the next two years... because my local community college has a two year waiting list.

Will working as a CNA (for the next two years and hopefully while I'm in nursing school as well) help my chances of getting a nursing job?

Good to hear there wouldn't be a salary difference, or much of one. What a relief.

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I know a BSN-prepared nurse who worked for four years as a CNA. She used to work for an agency that floated her to various hospitals within the Boston area (as a CNA). Now she has been working as an RN in a nursing home for the past two years in the Hudson/ Sudbury area (out of desperation). She has applied to countless hospitals and nursing homes located on the outskirts of Boston, as well as within the Boston area. Even with her BSN and CNA experience, she still hasn't landed a hospital position. Even nursing homes outside of the Boston area aren't hiring. Some of my BSN classmates relocated out of Massachusetts to secure work and some currently work in LTC (as a last resort). I hope you have better luck closer to the Worcester area.

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

I am an RN who does not have her BSN, and live in southeastern mass. I got my first job at a private pyschiatric hospital, although I did have to work as a MHW for several months before I was hired on as an RN. Good luck!

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Selene006: Wow, that sounds... rough. Yeah, I'm going to concentrate my efforts closer to central MA/Worcester once I graduate. I can't believe how competitive it is; but, I'm determined to succeed, and will do whatever it takes. I want to eventually get my BSN, and put working at a hospital as a long term goal.

Kay28: That's awesome and encouraging to hear, especially because I'm looking to go into psych nursing. I'm glad you got hired as an RN. Thanks for the good luck :)

Does anyone know anything about Becker in Worcester, MA? Since only one person got accepted into the BSN program at my state school, I'm scrambling to find a program to go to. The head of nursing recommended I go there. They have space for the fall, but I want to make sure it's a good program.

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I went to bunker hill and got my ADN for less than 10k. From there I got a job in pedi home health at 29/hr for days and 31/hr nights.

I recently started my RN-BSN at the University of Texas Arlington and that will run me another $12k but its far cheaper than any school around here, is entirely online, can be completed in as little as 13 months (or less) and is both regionally and nationally accredited. Plus, its an actual brick-and-mortar school.

For me, pedi home health is great. I get paid a much higher rate than new grads in a hospital (although I don't get yearly experience raises) and I get to work routinely with ventilators, trachs, etc which I wouldn't get to do in the hospital since I have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting an ICU job!

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Its tough out there for new grads right now whether or not you have your BSN. If finances are an issue 2 year community college route is the way to go and once you're gainfully employed, pursue an RN-BSN program. ADN Nurses will find employment in Home Health, Nursing Homes, Community Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers. Some find work at Boston Hospitals IF AND ONLY IF they are enrolled in an RN-BSN program.

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ADN grad from Roxbury 2010.. Nclex 2011 april. SNF July 2011 (Winchester), LTAC Hospital Roxbury 2012. Don't give up. There are jobs you just have to fight for them. I am currently going to start trying to get per diem for some of the big hospitals in the city. After your are in an the managers know you and like your work ethic they will hire you. You just need to get in, or get to know someone that can give you a good reference.

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Specializes in Post Acute, Home, Inpatient, Hospice/Pall Care.

I am an ADN Grad on the Cape from 2012, NCLEX 6/2012. I did private duty CNA while in school 11/2011 & moved right into per diem RN slot upon NCLEX completion (private duty home care), TCU RN position immediately, Pedi psych resi 6 months later. Currently enrolling in RN to BSN and am feeling my way through the job offers/interviews I have currently-MD office, home care (several), hospice, pedi home care, case manager clinical, case manager/research (office work only)...lots of potential you just have to keep looking, applying and interviewing. BSN is not the end all be all of nursing UNLESS all you desire is a hospital job-after all we did all pass the same NCLEX ;) Hospitals want Magnet status and thus the push for BSN RN's. I have 126 credit and 2 associates, I am looking for a program that will be only nursing courses-there are several online and in person that offer this. Don't give up your dream!! Not sure I even want to work in a hospital, home care is the future-who wants to be in a nursing home, rehab or hospital if you can get skilled care at home, the pay has been excellent as well. The positions I have held in home care have have been hourly and the pay ranges from $30-$35/hourly, $45 skilled visit, $140 admission visit depending on the company. The Rehab TCU job was $23/hourly with overrides for shifts/weekends so I made $25-26 depending. Pedi psych resi was $26, pedi psych hospital $23-27 depending on overrides. I interviewed for many, many jobs and most LTC ranged around $20-23/hour-some offering overrides. The office/research was $45,000/annually. It seems there is quite a variance in pay depending on where you work. These jobs were all in SE MA on and off Cape. Good luck and keep going!!!!

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Specializes in Psych; Med/Surg; Rehab.

There are still some Boston area hospitals that will hire ADN grads. I know of three in particular that hire them (1 or 2 that won't rush you to get your BSN). I won't post the names here out of respect for the Hospitals and for safety/privacy reasons as well. My best friend actually works at one of these hospitals and they have already offered her a position once she graduates and passes the Boards.

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Specializes in Post Acute, Home, Inpatient, Hospice/Pall Care.

I guess that is good to know, sort of, since you can't really say and we don't really know...LOL!!! But I am sure it gives those longing for a hospital position hope!! I would say that alone is a plus for them!

Personally I am not impressed by the hospital scenario, many nurses that work in them are old curmudgeons who hate their jobs and need to retire (this is from personal experience, nurses who work in hospitals and nurse who have left). I have had enough positions working with evil nurses thank you very much!! (who knew there were so many??? But there are..) Even when I am finished my BSN I will continue working in other areas of nursing. I don't think the hospital is the end all be all of nursing, especially since health care is trending out of the hospitals and back to community where nurse are doing treatments and teaching that used to be done in the hospital setting, but with more time, less stress and more fulfillment. Utimately nursing really is a calling, if you love nursing you will find your niche, if it is a hospital setting so desired, hard work will get you there. I am a very patient oriented nurse and therefore like the setting I have chosen and can see myself in this role for many years to come. I must say I feel lucky and blessed to have found an opportunity that has afforded me hands on teaching without rush by capable nurses who like to share their knowledge, kind co-workers, nurses who really care and don't want to bite your head off, basically a rewarding position with kind people, appreciative patients and families and the ability to do what I desired as a nurse-care for people in need and make a difference in their life when needed most. Good luck to all the ADN's who may be losing hope. There is more out there than SNF's, keep positive, work towards a BSN-it can only help you-and don't lose hope that you will find your place, your niche and rewarding career as a nurse.

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