Newbe lookin' for advice.

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Hello!

I am new to this website, and actually pretty new to the idea of nursing. My husband encouraged me to get into nursing, and once I thought about it (I never really had before), I though it sounded like a pretty darn good idea! It's in my nature to care for others so I'm shocked I never considered nursing as an option.

My question is this: How difficult is it to find a job with just an Associate's in Nursing?

My husband and I both want to go to school, so we intend on taking turns as breadwinners. He wants me to go to nursing school first while he finishes his enlistment in the military. I won't be able to start school until our next duty station, when husband has a little more than two years left (there are absolutely no nursing options where we're living now). We're hoping I can get a job when his enlistment is up so he can start going to school full time. I would love to hear about your experiences!

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Specializes in Cardiology, IMC, CVICU.

It really does depend on your nursing school and where it will be at. I have an Associates degree and I am only 3.5 years into being a nurse. I am a cardiac cath lab nurse. I took a position at a local hospital while I was in school and then got scholarship money from that hospital to finish my education. I went to work as a nurse for that hospital as soon as I had my interim license. No issues whatsoever. But I have talked to many nurses who are struggling as new nurses to get jobs. Find out what is available where you will be and get involved in EVERYTHING. It truly helps to get your foot in the door that way.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"How difficult is it to find a job with just an Associate's in Nursing?"

About as difficult as it is these days to find a job with just a Bachelor's in Nursing. And these days, that's pretty difficult:mad:

Please do not refer to it as JUST an Associate's degree. ASN's and BSN's and LPN's are all nurses. Most places do not distinguish between the 2 RN degrees in terms of hiring preferences and salary paid. There are some facilities that will only hire BSN's (usually those seeking magnet status); there may also some facilities that prefer ASN's, or so I'm told - not sure why that would be.

The salary difference, if it is even present, is usually $.25 to $1.00 per hour.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

In my area most hospitals do not differentiate between ASN and BSN when hiring nurses. My hospital pays exactly the same for nurses with either degree. That said, it has been nearly impossible for any new nurse to find employment here for the past three years, whatever their degree.

I do think I see a light at the end of the tunnel, as management at my hospital is starting to hire travelers again and experienced nurses. It's only a matter of time before positions open up for new grads.

An RN is an RN is an RN. If you want to be a nurse, get whatever degree is easiest and cheapest for you to achieve in your present circumstances. But start networking on your first day of nursing school! In this economy, more than ever it is WHO you know more than what you know that will land you a job.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

It completely depends on where you live and how bad they need nurses. I live in the Seattle area and some hospitals here try to hire all BSN nurses. However, when you go to the outlying areas, this may not be true. We had the same issue when I lived in Houston.

Right now new grads seem to be having trouble finding a job no matter where they go. It really depends on the market you are in. I would do some research into the market where you want to practice to see what jobs are currently available and what their requirements are. You also have to decide if you would relocate if needed.

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