No one will hire a nurse with only a Associates???

Orange Tree · Nov 22, 2011

If you're in the bay area, you probably won't find a job even with a bachelor's. In other areas, an associate's is fine ...at least for now.

rn4babies63 · Nov 22, 2011

I don't know what area you are from, but where I'm at, almost all of the new nurses that we have hired only have an ADN. That's what most of the programs are around here. I only have an ADN and have never had a problem getting hired anywhere.

lrobinson5 · Nov 22, 2011

Maybe because the economy is rough it seems that way to your counselor. I think it will take longer to get hired, but it isn't as if everyone requires a BSN to be hired. There are many new grads from my nursing program that I see during my clinicals at the county hospital. It is totally possible!

chevyv, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

Jobs are scarce and most employers can afford to be picky, but I landed a job with a 2 yr. It's in psych, which I do love, but it wouldn't have been my first choice. I'm now in a BSN completion program so I understand what your advisor is talking about. I needed to get out of school and breathe for a bit.

Armygirl7 · Nov 22, 2011

I got hired full time in July with an Associate's. I had to sign a paper promising to get my bachelor's within 4 years, and after 6 months of employment my hospital will pay for my education so.....there were 3 out of 12 of us with Associate's degrees hired at the same time.

I could only afford the Associate's degree also.

Stick to the plan that works for YOU.

I did already apply and have acceptances to RN to BSN programs to put on my resume - and I would have continued on with school no matter what.

It is true that you will be looked at as less appealing than a BSN candidate - not because you don't know the same stuff and have passed the same exam, but because the hospitals have to hire BSN nurses to achieve magnet status. So get good grades, do good extra curricular work, impress your clinical professors so you get good letters of rec, and make yourself marketable!

mshessle · Nov 22, 2011

I just got hired today with only an associates, even in a position in which they rarely hire new grads at all.

leslie :-D · Nov 22, 2011

even if your area accepts adn, it is most definitely trending towards bsn, on a national level.

but with so many unemployed people out there, employers can afford to be choosier...

and will almost always take the bsn over adn, esp since most facilities don't offer a desirable pay difference betw the 2 degrees.

if able, go for the bsn.

leslie

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 22, 2011

I just know there are dozens of posts on AN ranting about all the articles in papers, nursing schools recruiting when there are no local jobs for new grads and the few that are hiring go to BSN's. In my area of the country, ADN's still get hired, but it depends on your area. If you have an advisor telling you they are not hiring ADN's, I might do some research. It's much easier (and generally overall cheaper) to go straight to a BSN, especially if your final goal is master's. But I understand, I went ADN largely because of my finances. I had $11 to my name when I started my first nursing job.

Do some local research. Here on AN you will get 40 opinions from people living in 40 different regions. Hiring conditions for new grads are dramatically different all over the US.

And let us please distinguish between an ADN nurse and a new grad ADN. Huge difference. I am an ADN nurse but could probably get most any job in my area of the country that I qualify for. I have experience.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

I just talked to my school counselour today who said "No one will hire a nurse with only an associates, you better transfer and get a bachelor's or your wasting your time". WHAT? I am aware that the higher the degree, the better, but all I can afford is to get my associates. I do not qualify for financial aide. I have heard of all types of nurses getting great jobs with no degree at all. Is there any truth to this? I figured if worst comes to worst I could always work in long term care but no one at all will hire a nurse with only a Associates degree?
Eventually, I will get my Master's but I am just taking baby steps right now because of my budget.

Feel free to send me your counselor's contact information via a private message. I'd like to speak with him or her.

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

ADN here - and yes, I had an unusual set of experiences (many years medic, ACLS and PALS instructor, other degree) and had spent a couple of years as a PT clerk/tech (16 hrs week for the insurance) at the hospital that hired me as a new grad in the ED.

I have never even had the lack of a BSN be a question. Though I expect that the times are a' changin'.

I had worked in a direct RN to MSN for a year or so and have considered getting a BSN, though only cause I sort of consider going to CRNA - but, I waffle and so....

I think the best option, if money is available is to get that BSN as a direct entry - it will improve your chances in a tight market of getting the opportunity you want.

If money is tight - ADN nurses are hired everyday - though certain areas of the country it will be a tough market.

Knowledge is POWER.

Good Luck.

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Nov 22, 2011

haha... i laugh as i start my job in the #4 facility in the US.

Did i mention im a new grad with "only" an ADN?

don't listen to detractors...sell yourself....