Moving to Philly area, please advise.

[Chris___RN]

Hello,

I'm currently in Upstate NY, but may be moving to the surrounding Philadelphia area because of my wife's work. We prefer not to live in the city, most likely a small town close by. She will most definitely be working within the city.

I have my ASN, and have two years of med-surg, and will have 1 year of Medical ICU experience when we arrive, all in a level 1 trauma center. I work in a teaching hospital and would prefer one in the city. From what I hear it is difficult to find work without a BSN, I am about 25% completed, and plan to finish when we move.

Any general advise about finding work? Any decent hospitals close to the city that I might have better luck with? Would I be more or less likely to the find a job if I was looking for part time or per-diem work in the "BSN preferred" hospitals? Thanks!

[DrkCocoMurse215]

In Philly, and I believe areas around too, those hospitals that said BSN prefered are now BSN required, at my hospital the RNs were given a certain amount of time to get theirs or risk being laid off. But there are places outside hospitals here that even a diploma will hire.

[LandD_RN_chica]

Hahnemann is magnet but a couple girls I was hired with aren't bsns. They need a certain ratio. Try it. It's a great hospital. Level one trauma center. Put in an application and call nurse recruiter a week after. Good luck.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

In the city...will be rough without a BSN. I would consider at least enrolling in a program. Suburb hospitals...you have hope without a BSN.

[Chris___RN]

Thanks. Any suggestions on good schools considering I have 25% completed, and will likely be working part time so I may have much financial support? I would prefer a mixture of in class and online. I'm not too crazy about these online "get you BSN in 3 months" kind of programs.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Thanks. Any suggestions on good schools considering I have 25% completed and will likely be working part time so I may have much financial support? I would prefer a mixture of in class and online. I'm not too crazy about these online "get you BSN in 3 months" kind of programs.[/quote']

Honestly...I'd recommend just getting it done online and be done. It will make your life easier with scheduling. I did my BSN online (Chamberlain) and have not a moment of regret. I'm in an NP program now at a major university. The online deal didn't hurt me at all. I didn't just breeze through either. Don't write off online programs. Heck...my NP program is online and it is through a major university. Online isn't always a bad thing!