Los Angeles, Ca; Soon to be MSN in progress; will hospitals not want me?

Published

Hi everyone! Long time reader, first time poster!

I am about to graduate from my ADN program and will start looking for a new graduate RN program soon. I have a bachelors in another field (biology) and went back to school for my ADN. Now, I want to pursue my MSN because most hospitals prefer BSNs, but I do not want to get another bachelors.

A woman I spoke with from a university that I requested information from told me that hospitals prefer BSN over MSN, is this true?

Thank you in advance for your input!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In was in a bridge adn to msn program in nursing school, I have a bachelors degree in another field, and it was near impossible to get a job. Employers, for whatever reason was BSNs. But by the grace of God I got my first RN job without advertising that I was pursuing my MSN. It was very hard to get an acute care position with "MSN Fall 2017" on my resume.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is what I feared. So you recommend not adding "MSN completion date 20XX?"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

There is a very good reason that hospitals prefer BSN. It is based upon incontrovertible evidence that high percentages of BSN staff are associated with significantly better patient outcomes in acute care. That's why the Institutes of Medicine formalized this recommendation in 2010. HERE is a link to the report. It is more than just a 'magnet requirement'... the companies that insure & rate hospitals are also behind this movement. At this point, this research hasn't been replicated in non-acute settings, so that's why only hospitals are pushing for BSN.

The BSN-only phenomena is firmly in place in most metro areas & others in which there is a sufficient supply of BSN grads. In other areas, it is not uncommon for hospitals to hire ADNs, on the proviso that they obtain a BSN within a pre-determined period of time. However, I don't see why any organization would not be happy with an MSN as well - except for the fact that this credential is not usually associated with bedside jobs. So - employers may be reluctant to invest in a new grad who is going to move on as soon as that MSN is completed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I agree with HouTx -- Hospitals have a good reason for preferring BSN's over ADN's ... and a reason to be hesitant about hiring MSN students. It costs a lot of money to orient a new employee -- significantly more if that nurse is a new grad. (A common estimate of that cost is approximately 1 year's salary.) So they are going to be really hesitant to hire someone who walks into the interview announcing loudly that ..."Not only am I a new grad and you are going to have to invest a lot of extra money orienting me ... but I am also planning to leave the job soon when I graduate from my MSN program!" Few people want to waste their scarce resources orientating someone who is not planning to stay a while.

What are you specializing in at the MSN level? That could make a difference. If you are focused on "getting away from inpatient care" to become an NP, that is unattractive to an inpatient hiring manager. However, if your long-term career plan is to move up the career ladder within a hospital setting, that's another story. In that case, you may be seen as an "attractive future hospital leader."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

BSN and improved patient outcomes is not always the case. I know that specifically in my area, BSNs from select private schools, and accelerated programs are not excelling as expected.

I spoke with the regional director for one of the hospitals I will apply to and she ensured me that an MSN and my background will give me a competitive edge.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't chosen a specialty yet; I wanted a generic masters, but those are not as prevalent. I will probably end up choosing a leadership or clinical nurse specialist focused program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion