Would I have any problems being a nurse with an associates degree?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

You're 21. You can't possibly say with assurance that 30 years from now you're going to still want to be a bedside nurse. This is where having a BSN is going to be helpful...it's going to give you opportunties away from the bedside. You might discover that you enjoy teaching, research and development, public health maternity nursing, or any other non-supervisory positions that might require a BSN.

However, since you are in the community college environment and headed that direction, the ADN will serve you well. You can get your BSN through many of the RN to BSN programs out there, and get some tuition reimbursement from your future employers. ADNs do indeed a wide variety of job opportunities at a good income.

However, you might just want to get the BSN out of the way now if you have the opportunity.

Don't stress.

emmy27 · Oct 29, 2008

There are more AS/ADN-prepared nurses graduating each year in the US than there are BSN nurses, and the license and scope of practice are the same.

Some facilities and some positions may prefer a BSN over an ADN, esoecially in management, but with the shortage growing worse every year, you should have absolutely no trouble finding employment as an ADN-trained nurse. As a floor nurse there is usually little or no difference in pay (at my hospital it's a whopping .50 cents an hour, at which rate it would take a loooong time to pay back the difference in price between ADN and BSN tuition).

That said, a BSN gives you the opportunity to move up the chain of command more freely, may afford preferential hiring at desirable facilities, and enables you to pursue higher degrees and advanced licensing (like nurse practitioner or nurse midwife).

I'm currently an ADN student but I plan on pursuing a BSN and MSN later. I'll get my employer to pay for it, though! If I was doing this the first time around though- if I was a brand new college student and money and time were no object- I'd go for the BSN right off the bat and save the hassle.

Either one is a solid path, it really just depends on your goals, priorities, and means.

Anouk345 · Oct 30, 2008

ADN prepares you more for bedside nursing. BSN mostly management stuff.

babyNP., APRN · Oct 30, 2008

It'll probably be harder to get into ER or L&D right off the bat as a new grad if you get your ADN because the preference is given to BSN. Out of all the new grads in my critical care internship, we're all BSN.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2008

ADN prepares you more for bedside nursing. BSN mostly management stuff.

BSN nurses are also prepared for entry level bedside nursing, the same as ADN nurses. They spend little time learning to be managers. Maybe the programs are different where you are, but the BSN programs here focus on NCLEX and bedside nursing and the "role of the RN". :).

diane227, LPN, RN · Oct 30, 2008

If you want to move up into an education or management level, the usual minimum requirement will be a BSN. If you want to go higher such as a VP role or CEO you will usually have to have a Masters in nursing or an MBA. It also depends on what size institution. I have a BSN and it has opened a lot of management doors for me.

Diane

queenjean · Oct 31, 2008

Depends on your geographical area.

My hospital doesn't hire based on ADN vs BSN for staff nurse positions. You are expected to do the same work. There is no pay incentive for BSN over ADN. You are just as likely to be hired to the general floor or specialty areas such as ER, ICU, or L&D.

There is a larger city about 40 miles east that has many hospitals; some of them give hiring preference to BSNs over ADNs, and pay 5-10% over base pay to BSNs. Some don't. Depends on the facility, the trend in your geographic area, and what sort of educational offerings are available in the area.

For a floor nurse position, though, my brief answer would be No. In no way would having an ADN hinder your ability to work as a nurse.

totoro · Nov 1, 2008

i agree with tweety.

ann5844 · Nov 1, 2008

Absolutely no problem at all getting a job as a ADN nurse. However, you never know what life will bring so if you have the chance to go for your BSN, do it! At most it will add maybe a year to your current training and what is a year? No matter how long you have the drive and ambition to be a floor nurse, it wears you down and then you start thinking how best you can continue day in and day out. Having your degree will allow you opportunities now without having the added stress and added cost of returning to school when you are much older.

I have been an OR nurse for twenty-six years and I absolutely love what I do. I work in a trauma center with 20 operating rooms, and I work nights. It is getting harder and harder to run around setting up supplies, running when there is a trauma bleeding out on the table etc. I have less than a year left on my Masters. and i intend to go into education.

Whatever you decide I wish you all the best.

WeakAnkles · Nov 2, 2008

I proudly have my ADN and it has never hindered me on my career path.

I have worked ICU/CCU/ER. I have also been a Hospital House Supervisor and I never felt my degree held me back from any of my pursuits.

I really think if you have an RN, that's enough. Who you are will determine what you do and how far you will go with it. I have also seen job ads where experience will fill-in for a degree in that field.

I always tell people to get their ADN at a Community College. You will have it paid off in no time and get the necessary education to sit for the NCLEX.

That's what I did, and I never regretted it. I have also felt no need to go on and get my BSN either. But, if I did, I could have always went back and got it done while making good wages to support the tuition.

Best Wishes!

Caffeine_IV · Nov 6, 2008

In my area..you have no problem finding a staff nurse job as an ADN. However I encourage you just to do a search on RN positions and read over the ones that interest you..see what their requirements are. Also look at jobs in your area for Nurse supervisor, nurse manager and things of that nature and do the same. Maybe that will help you make a decision.

Many of them in my area will take either but with the ADN..they look for more years of experience. .