Need Some Help/Need to Rant

U.S.A. Washington DC

Published

I just need to let the frustration out just a little. ARRGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, that feels much better.

I graduated with a degree in Biology and I'm ready to make the switch to nursing. I cannot for the life of me decide whether to go for an ABSN or an ADN. Yes, I know what the search button is and that there is many topics about this, but nobody seems to mention what the job prospects look for someone who has an ADN, but is actively enrolled in an RN-BSN program at the time they are looking for jobs. Trust me, I don't want to have an ADN my whole life, but I'm not blessed enough to have rich parents that will shell out another 40K to pay for a second degree. I'm already 30K in debt from my undergraduate degree.

No offense young ones, but I don't care to hear the opinion of a 22 year old kid whose parents pay for everything tell me "just get your ABSN." I only want to hear people who know what it's like to pay student loan debt along with a car payment, car insurance, rent, cell phone - bills that come from living an independent life. I'm certain that a lot of these people on this board, not all, but a lot don't know what it's like to live a life where you can't just go to Georgetown and spend 80K on a second degree like it's no big deal or spend all this extra money to take pre-req courses like Bioethics and Developmental Psyc just to enroll at George Mason for their ABSN. I want to live in NoVA so bad. So, I want an honest opinion. If I do this ADN program, will I get a job in the NoVA area as an RN? Could I at least still live there and make a living with my ADN until I finish my RN-BSN program? ALSO, does it help if you have your ADN, but can prove to the employer you are enrolled in an RN-BSN program and will have your BSN? If not, is there anywhere I could work as an RN until I finish this program. I understand I won't have my pick of the litter, but I find it REALLY hard to believe that the ONLY people getting hired in NoVA are people with BSN's. Let's not be ridiculous, or maybe I'm being ridiculous by not just biting the bullet and taking out thousands of dollars for an ABSN.

Oh trust me. I will be working during the one year I am in the rn to bsn program. There is no way you can live up there and not work as I'm sure you know haha!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Oh trust me. I will be working during the one year I am in the rn to bsn program. There is no way you can live up there and not work ad I'm sure you know haha!

Yes I know I am just concerned that you either won't be working as an RN, or you will not be working in a hospital setting and will expect a hospital job later on, which will be much less likely to happen. I still don't think you realize how tough the market is in DC for new ADN grads

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Oh, but I think I do understand - if I didn't, then I wouldn't be planning to complete an RN to BSN program would I? If I didnt understand, I would remain complacent with my ADN. You don't have to be concerned for me, I will be just fine! There is an employer out there that will accept me for my career choices and my current career path. If you can believe that what you are doing is relevant, you can make an employer believe that in an interview.

I do think your opinions about gaining health related experience in an area other than NoVa first while getting my RN to BSN are relevant to me and I think you are right about that.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thanks for your responses. What do you mean if I take those type of positions I wouldn't be able to get a hospital job later on. That makes absolutely no sense - is nursing really this picky? If I was an employer I would hire someone who has recommendations and experience working as a nurse in a psyc ward or a prison over a new graduate that has absolutely no experience at all. It seems like you are really oversimplifying and generalizing.
The answer to your question from a nurse with 35 years experience is YES....nursing is really that picky. why are they that picky? Because they can.

Your biology degree will not be taken into consideration as a preference for hire. While it demonstrates that you have ambition and drive it has nothing to do with nursing. Working in a prison or psych will demonstrate that you have the ability to be a good worker it has NOTHING what so ever to do with being a nurse.

There is a surplus of nurses and hospitals are able to pick and choose who they hire. There is a huge push for single entry level nursing and hospitals are helping this by a hiring preference for BSN grads Graduate nursing programs in my area are requiring a BSN in order to qualify.

There is NO nursing shortage. There are are across the country that have as high as 47% unemployment with a significant proportion of new grads that cannot find work. The average job search is about 14-18 months post graduation.

If I was considering nursing today....I would go the BSN route to increase my chance of gainful employment. If you take the ADN route be prepared to work in LTC/nursing homes and a struggle to enter acute care. I am a ASN grad with a BSN much later.

Check out these recent statistics for job density. There is no salary difference between the ADN and BSN.Nurses Schools, Salaries, and Job Data

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TH=align: left]City and Area[/TH]

[TH=align: right]Median Salary[/TH]

[TH=align: right]Employees[/TH]

[TH=align: right]Job Density[/TH]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Blacksburg[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$55,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-10%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Danville[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$60,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]850[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+43%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Harrisonburg[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$57,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]890[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-12%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Lynchburg[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$62,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2,220[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+18%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Richmond[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$66,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]13,380[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+6%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Roanoke[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$58,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+31%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Virginia Beach[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$62,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]12,570[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-19%[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

We cannot say that getting your ADN and doing a RN-BSN bridge will be fine because in today's market that just isn't the reality.

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Okay well thanks for the stats. I meant working in a psyc ward or prison as a nurse not as just a random employee. I think I will be fine. I know someone who did an RN to BSN bridge program and they did just fine for themselves. The original responder to my question did an rn to bsn route and she has a job it appears.

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"The average job search is anywhere from 14 to 18 months". Do you have a source to back up these facts? Id be interested in reading whatever study this came from. If this is an actual statistic, then that's even better for me because during that 14 to 18 months I could be completing my BSN and building connections. If nursing is really that tragic of a career choice then sounds like I should just go get my PhD on biology and skip becoming a nurse.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Okay well thanks for the stats. I meant working in a psyc ward or prison as a nurse not as just a random employee. I think I will be fine. I know someone who did an RN to BSN bridge program and they did just fine for themselves. The original responder to my question did an rn to bsn route and she has a job it appears.

Yes I am doing "just fine" but I graduated with my 2 year RN 6 years ago before the recession hit. Current grads have a completely different experience when it comes to job prospects.

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I just need to let the frustration out just a little. ARRGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Okay that feels much better. I graduated with a degree in Biology and I'm ready to make the switch to nursing. I cannot for the life of me decide whether to go for an ABSN or an ADN. Yes, I know what the search button is and that there is many topics about this, but nobody seems to mention what the job prospects look for someone who has an ADN, but is actively enrolled in an RN-BSN program at the time they are looking for jobs. Trust me, I don't want to have an ADN my whole life, but I'm not blessed enough to have rich parents that will shell out another 40K to pay for a second degree. I'm already 30K in debt from my undergraduate degree. No offense young ones, but I don't care to hear the opinion of a 22 year old kid whose parents pay for everything tell me "just get your ABSN." I only want to hear people who know what it's like to pay student loan debt along with a car payment, car insurance, rent, cell phone - bills that come from living an independent life. I'm certain that a lot of these people on this board, not all, but a lot don't know what it's like to live a life where you can't just go to Georgetown and spend 80K on a second degree like it's no big deal or spend all this extra money to take pre-req courses like Bioethics and Developmental Psyc just to enroll at George Mason for their ABSN. I want to live in NoVA so bad. So, I want an honest opinion. If I do this ADN program, will I get a job in the NoVA area as an RN? Could I at least still live there and make a living with my ADN until I finish my RN-BSN program? ALSO, does it help if you have your ADN, but can prove to the employer you are enrolled in an RN-BSN program and will have your BSN? If not, is there anywhere I could work as an RN until I finish this program. I understand I won't have my pick of the litter, but I find it REALLY hard to believe that the ONLY people getting hired in NoVA are people with BSN's. Let's not be ridiculous, or maybe I'm being ridiculous by not just biting the bullet and taking out thousands of dollars for an ABSN.[/quote']

It seems like you already know what you want to do. While working on your ADN work your tail off and make connections! You will be fine.

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Specializes in NICU.

You can definitely pay less than $30,000 for ABSN - I did at a good state school. If the deciding factor is cost, I'd look for the right program and just get your ABSN now.

FYI, my parents did not help me at all with paying for school for my first or second degree. I have some hefty loans from my first degree, but only a few small ones from my ABSN. I saved before I started and still worked part time during my program to pay bills and was able to get my student loans from my first degree deferred while I was in school.

Even in my area (not major metropolitan at all), it's getting harder for all new grads to find jobs and especially for ADNs.

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Thanks nurse2be! Angrykitten, would you mind telling me where you did your ABSN at? I haven't completely ruled that out yet!

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Also you worked part time? I have heard this is very difficult to do so kudos to you for bring such a go getter!!

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Specializes in NICU.

At the local branch of Indiana University, so it would be a bit of a move for you. Working part time sucked - I worked two days a week, had class two days a week, had clinical two days a week, and on Sunday, I was usually at the library until midnight. So it was not fun, but I graduated with a 3.9, so it is possible.

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