Now with Changes in Ecomony which is better ADN or BSN

Nurses General Nursing

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Are mostly only BSN's hired in today's market. Ive heard its hard even for those holding a new BSN.

Specializes in PACU, OR.

Just interested.... my training was a 3 year diploma course; we were employed by our hospitals as student nurses, rotated to different departments and attended college 5 months out of each year. If successful, we had the option of continuing at our hospitals as RNs. Does it not work like that with the ADN? Of course, that was 25 years ago, but as far as I know, the same system applies to our current diploma nurses (they now do an extra 18 months).

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Wow Thats quite a reply. THe post stating not to enter RN school.

Thanks for your advice. I beleive what you stated.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

In my area they are hiring BSNs. A few hospitals who have hired ADNs in the past have now made it mandatory for their ADN staff nurses to go back for their BSNs, with the hospital paying for a percentage of that education.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
In the end will still all pass the Same test.

I've seen the difference in classes for ADN and BSN, and those 12 classes (at least at our program) are money makers. Ones like Leadership Issues in Nursing?, Research in Nursing? Ethics in Nursing? Transitions in nursing? I remember all those classes and they were truly worthless. Argue to they death that that are worth something and I will still disagree. I wish I would have done Diploma or ADN and worked while doing an RN to BSN for those 12 classes. Rather than going strait through with my BSN.

Because honestly, as a BSN grad, I will be the first to admit that it was more of a pride thing for me, being able to have RN BSN on my badge. Never once did I notice a difference between me and that 2 year diploma grad in leadership skills, ethics, or any of those dumb classes. Those are skills my Dad taught me, not something Penn State University taught me.

So I say, it doesn't matter, and my bosses have agreed every time I ask them about it.

Wow, research and ethics are or no use in your job? I think I'll take that job so I'll never have to think or stew!

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Specializes in FNP.

I'd check about in your geographical area. In my area, no, ADNs are not presently being hired. That isn't to say they never will be, but right now it is a pretty tight market and degreed nurses have an advantage. However, it is important to point out that new grads are not being hired at all, regardless of education level. My hospital was not hiring either new grads or ADNs, but if the pool of experienced BSN applicants dries up, I suspect they would prefer an experienced ADN to a new grad BSN at my facility. They did give out a deadline for their current diploma or ADN grads to obtain their BSN, but they aren't paying for it, so I wouldn't make choices contingent upon someone else paying for my BSN completion program. The same parent company owns both hospitals here, so the same guidelines are in place at both. The other acute care choice is a University med center, and since they have a nursing school, I'd say an ADN would have about zero change against one of the BSN grads from their own school, but you never know. I don't see ads in my paper for LTC right now either, but they may be using the internet of craigs list, or some method I haven't bothered to look at, but I suspect an ADN could get a LTC position if they were looking for a RN.

I know I will not live here forever, so when I look at these sort of issues, I assess my local market for my immediate future, but think long term. If your area is substantially different than those of us that live in a environment that is drifting toward BSN only, or at least strongly preferred, I wouldn't hesitate to enter an ADN program. If not, or if you think you may not live there for a long time, I'd go BSN.

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What area are you in?

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Specializes in FNP.

I'm sorry, I don't disclose my geographic location. I think everyone needs to check into their own area.

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Although you are correct in stating that new grads are having a hard time due to the economy finding a job but it is not at a different level than any other profession. We must continue to produce nurses as the projections indicate that we will be at a 200,000 shortage to meet the needs of the US patients in 2020.

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it should be pointed out that not all ADN students have 60 credit programs. most community colleges have 3 year programs that run closer to 90, if played correctly. some of the difference can be courses like music appreciation.

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In this economy it would be wise to go through a program that could be completed in the shortest period of time for the least amount of money. There are some positions that require a BSN so therefore that is all they can hire. Most don't. A person is mainly concerned about the amount of experience, and references a person has for a particular job opening. In this economy no one is willing to train. I have found my 4 year degree to be very helpful when applying for admin. positions.

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