Nowadays, in S. Florida, do hospitals prefer BSNs, or is the RN all that matters?

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I have a degree in another discipline. So, once I'm done with my prereqs, my goal is the BSN, preferably in an accelerated program.

But I'm curious...what is the hiring preference nowadays in South Florida? With so many nurses, are hospitals preferring BSNs over ASNs? Or as long as I become an RN...that is all that matters to employers in the beginning of my career?

As for leadership down the road, I can see why BSN and up would be desirable...but to get one's foot in the door...are ASNs just as employable as ever?

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From what I've seen, hospitals are really trending towards hiring BSNs. With such a competitive job market, you really want to give yourself the best chance possible. The number of BSNs entering the nursing job market increases by leaps and bounds each year. I'd say go straight for the BSN. Save yourself the time and money.

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Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

Hospitals have to have a certain ratio of RN's vs BSN's to get a huge discount on their insurance (malpractice? ) rates. So it depends on the hospital. They would like to see on your resume that a least you are in the process of getting a BSN. All in all, its very competative and yes it helps to have your BSN unless you have a lot of exerience. But its not impossible. The critical areas require you a have a CEN or CCRN with the first few years of employment and to obtain those you have to have your BSN.

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Hospitals have to have a certain ratio of RN's vs BSN's to get a huge discount on their insurance (malpractice? ) rates. So it depends on the hospital. They would like to see on your resume that a least you are in the process of getting a BSN. All in all, its very competative and yes it helps to have your BSN unless you have a lot of exerience. But its not impossible. The critical areas require you a have a CEN or CCRN with the first few years of employment and to obtain those you have to have your BSN.
The bolded makes sense, especially in a culture where lawsuits and claims are frequent and high!

And thanks for commenting about those critical areas requirements....food for thought as I go through my career down the road.

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From what I've seen, hospitals are really trending towards hiring BSNs. With such a competitive job market, you really want to give yourself the best chance possible. The number of BSNs entering the nursing job market increases by leaps and bounds each year. I'd say go straight for the BSN. Save yourself the time and money.

I have a friend who has a bachelors in MIS but went back to school years ago to become an RN with her ASN from MDC. She has worked as a clinical nurse for about 3 years, then left to become a case management nurse. Now she wants to switch back onto the floor, and says its hard to even get an interview because she does not have a BSN. But she says she's afraid to go back and still be in the same boat because she knows dozens of new BSNs out of work.

It has me on pause quite a bit, but I still feel that this is an excellent career fit for me. So I'll have to hustle and hope the job market improves when I am newly licensed.

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I live in miami as well and I am doing the ADN. I've done so much research and job searching for the hell of it and Baptist and Memorial Hospital all say BSN preferred. Baptist states that you can get hired as an RN with an agreement to get your bsn within 3 years. Once I get my rn, I'll work with home health while doing my bsn online. I'll gain experience and then once I have my bsn, apply to hospitals. They really only want bsn ;/

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

At hospitals, BSNs are generally preferred over ADNs.

But if an ADN has a BS in another discipline, then from my experience things seem to equal out... and they may even actually favor the ADN... if she has professional working experience in another discipline.

Maturity and life experience are highly regarded by management... so don't sell yourself shirt, Grind.

Good luck!

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My sister in law has been at Baptist forever. First she started as an RN with an ADN then had Baptist pay for the rest. She now has an MSN and teaches on the side. But I am in Boca. So travelling to MDC is a bit of a drive. I'm willing to do it, though...if I get accepted into the accelerated ASN at MDC.

Every nurse I know: two sisters-in-law, my two best friends and others all say not to waste my time with the Associates because times have changed and there isn't a shortage of qualified nurses down here in S. Florida.

In fact, I've been told by several people that preceptorships are a thing of the past, and hospitals don't even want to train new grads. So, that is why I may shy away from the ASN. I still have at least 2 more semesters before I may apply to programs...so I'll see where I stand GPA-wise.

And if all the hospitals want a BSN, then I will keep my focus on that. This is how I see it: with SO many applicants down here, not just locals but also transients looking to move to sunny Florida....the applicant pool is overflowing. So the hiring folks that need to weed out hundreds of resumes for that one position will:

-weed out those with irrelevant experience in favor of those with relevant/specialized experience,

-will weed out new grads in favor of experienced nurses,

-will weed out ASNs in favor of BSNs.

So, why give an HR person another reason to weed me out? Might as well make myself as marketable as possible.

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At hospitals, BSNs are generally preferred over ADNs.

But if an ADN has a BS in another discipline, then from my experience things seem to equal out... and they may even actually favor the ADN... if she has professional working experience in another discipline.

Maturity and life experience are highly regarded by management... so don't sell yourself shirt, Grind.

Good luck!

Very encouraging post! I actually thought that my previous experience in another field would be viewed as valuable.

Hope it is seen as you've eloquently and optimistically stated in your post when its time for me to find a position. Thanks.

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Yeah, I feel ya! My older cousin is an RN and her best friends too all work for baptist (in different locations) and they have worked there for 10+ years. They all said they will speak to management and I can put them down as a reference. Hopefully in clinicals i'll make a good impression and they will give me a chance. If not, Im doing by BSN online for 1 year so I will get my BSN either way! Thanks for this article!!

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Specializes in HIV, Psych, GI, Hepatology, Research.

You should be fine with associates. The hospitals that are acquiring magnet status want bachelors. A lot of them are going that route but as of now ADN's are being hired. They may have you agree to seek your BSN by a certain timeframe. I am not sure how it works if you already have a bachelors in another field but that is always helpful and employers love to see it.

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