Newly graduated ADN! Job hunt or continue with RN-BSN?!HELP!

[HealthNinja]

Hey fellow nurses! I just graduated with my ADN and am having a hard time deciding whether to just take my boards quick and then job hunt or start a time consuming traditional RN-BSN program at one of my local universities. The economy is still bad and new grad RN positions are hard to get unless you get lucky. My brain is already fried from the ADN program and I'd rather get RN experience, but i'm already accepted into an RN-BSN program. I'm already in student loan debt and I'm not getting any younger! What should I do?! Any advice? Will getting my BSN make me more marketable because a lot of hospitals where I live are going 'Magnet' status and are looking for only BSN graduates.

[Mr. Murse]

I'm not sure where you're at, but where I live there's not much of an advantage of having a BSN over ASN. However, I do feel that in the not so distant future the ASN will become more and more obsolete. I graduated about 2 years ago with my ASN, took my boards and have been working since, but I intend to go back next year to finish the BSN. At the moment, there's really nothing pressing me to pursue a BSN......there's no difference in pay or treatment on my floor based on degree. I charge regularly over BSN graduates. It's all based on how you feel really. I'm glad I've taken a while out of school to get my feel of the job and recharge a little. Plus, I have to work while in school anyway, so I'm glad I have this job when I go back to finish. Now I'm ready and eager to do the 3 semesters necessary to finish up. On the other hand, if you're already accepted and you feel like you've got it in you, then by all means go ahead and finish it.

[mind_body_soul RN]

I plan on getting a job and simultaneously working on my BSN. I am opting for an online program designed for working nurses. It may take me longer to complete while working but I will be getting experience and a paycheck at the same time. Some places care more about job experience and might not look so kindly at you for jumping right into a RN-BSN program if it doesn't have a clinical component aka they will look at you as a "stale" new grad. I think in this economy it is wise to pursue both employment and higher education.

[SuperHelper]

I graduate with my ADN in May and while still unemployed, I plan on working for at least a year before I further my education. Based on what I've encountered, experience seems to matter more than education, especially for new grads. I'm also really burned out from my ADN and I think the time off will help me get my bearings back when I start my RN to MSN program.

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

If I were you, I'd start on the RN to BSN program while continuing to look for a job. I spent my first year of being a nurse just working before going back to school, and while that time off was nice, if I hadn't done that I'd be done by now. I'll graduate this December and by then I'll have been a nurse for 2.5 years. Most of what I've done in my BSN program so far is apply my work experiences to my projects in school. I am going to take a few years off before going to grad school though!

[medic0681]

If anything, go ahead and take the NCLEX..most programs require a license before you enroll in an rn-bsn.

[Rean87]

I think taking boards and becoming licensed is the first thing you should do. Then look for jobs. It may be hard, but eventaully you'll find something. If possible, why not search for jobs and do the RN-BSN program at the same time. I found the online RN-BSN program to be much easier than regular nursing school. I just gradauted from an online porgram at UIC this past May. A lot of my friends who are doing the various online programs also thought it was easier...While getting a BSN would make you way more marketable, having experience is also important. Good luck with everything! :)

[Makama1]

Nclex - job - bsn - msn .....................