Jobs with an ADN degree besides hospitals

[Black Jade, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

I'm now in my 3rd semester of an ADN program in San Diego and I'm still contemplating about what I want to do when "I grow up". I've thought about Public Health, Home Health or Wound Care. Is it possible to go into a different area of nursing without having to work in a hospital setting with just an ADN degree? Because of my being hard of hearing, I also have to take into consideration about what specialty to go into without putting my patients at risk. (Not that it will happen-I hope, but there is always that dread). I am also thinking about getting an externship and if I have to work in the hospital, I would probably like to go into Med-Surg.

Thanks for your help.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Yes it is. Most of those jobs would require some hospital experience first. I know people in all those fields with associate degrees. Wound clinics are popping up all over the place and they hire ADNs. We have two in-house wound care nurses, both with BSNs, but I don't know if that's a coincidence or not. Nursing homes also have wound care specialists. Many positions in public health require BSNs, but some of the clinics use ADNs. Home health nurses, just like bedside nurses in hospitals do not require BSNs.

ADN nurses have a wide variety of non-hospital jobs. Many times it depends on the area you live, the demand, and sometimes who you know.