moving to CO. is a BSN necessary?

[mamac0805]

Hello.

My husband and I are relocating to northern Colorado in a year or so. I currently have an ADN only. Is it necessary to have my BSN when looking for jobs in CO? Is there a strong emphasis on this in the hospital systems in Colorado?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yes, there is a strong emphasis on BSN. But if you're an RN who has at least a few years of acute care experience, you should be okay.

[mamac0805]

I currently have 6 years of acute experience in Missouri. It's not strongly emphasized here (yet), however I think we are slowly staring to become that way. I have heard the job market is push though in northern Colorado so just want to be as "desirable" as possible!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Poudre Valley Health System (the hospital network in Ft. Collins and Loveland) has merged with the University of Colorado health system. I know when I was hired by University in 2010, I had no problem getting a job with an ADN and 5 years of experience. However, they may have changed their policies since then. I think I heard from someone that they *will* hire ADNs with experience, but that you must sign an agreement that you are planning on going back to get your BSN. But if you have a whole year, I would recommend just enrolling in an online BSN program now. You may be done or awfully close to being done by the time you get out here, and then it's a moot point.

[RedInScrubs, ASN, RN]

Many hospitals in the area are very strongly emphasizing finishing your BSN within a few years of hire. If you have experience, that will help, or if you're in more rural area (they tend to take what they can get out there), but a lot of the state is pushing BSN. Many will consider it a plus if you're just enrolled in a BSN program to show commitment to finishing, even of you haven't finished yet.