Rn vs bsn hiring critera

RNfaster · Jun 1, 2012

If money is a concern, pursue ADN first. If you can't get into an ADN program and are offered a BSN, consider it. An ADN plus some experience (even long-term care) can get you into acute care faster than a BSN and no experience. If employed as an ADN, you might use employer benefits to pursue the BSN.

Have you considered pursuing CNA work at a facility with education benefits? You might then use those benefits to pursue a nursing degree --and later work at the same facility as a nurse. Say you are on a waiting list for nursing school as a CNA and you have all your pre- and co-requisites for ADN school done ---you might complete some requirements for the BSN (outside the core nursing classes).

Obamacare requiring a certain ratio of BSNs? I can't help but wonder if that notion comes from folks that read the same books and magazines that Palin reads. Some facilities are pursuing a certain ratio of BSNs in relation to Magnet status.

Amerk · Jun 1, 2012

Thank You RNfaster,

You do make valid points. I have not considered the CNA route however, I may do so so I can get my foot in the door a bit faster and if there are educational rewards for doing so. I have heard of hospitals assisting in tuition to further education which is a wonderful benefit! I also have given much thought about taking as many co/pre-requisites as possible toward a BSN. The 80% goes further than Obama, Ive called HR departments and I guess that is the goal hospitals wish to achieve by the year 2020. However, the reasoning is unclear. I have a feeling (as most changes) are to comply with certain insurance criteria. In other words insurance will require a facility to have such a ratio in order to pay on a claim. Foolish? yep but that's politics!

It boggles my mind on how competitive the nursing field is today, although I suppose it does produce better nurses and that can only be a good thing. Thank you very much for your thoughts!

Amerk · Jun 1, 2012

If money is a concern, pursue ADN first. If you can't get into an ADN program and are offered a BSN, consider it. An ADN plus some experience (even long-term care) can get you into acute care faster than a BSN and no experience. If employed as an ADN, you might use employer benefits to pursue the BSN.
Have you considered pursuing CNA work at a facility with education benefits? You might then use those benefits to pursue a nursing degree --and later work at the same facility as a nurse. Say you are on a waiting list for nursing school as a CNA and you have all your pre- and co-requisites for ADN school done ---you might complete some requirements for the BSN (outside the core nursing classes).
Obamacare requiring a certain ratio of BSNs? I can't help but wonder if that notion comes from folks that read the same books and magazines that Palin reads. Some facilities are pursuing a certain ratio of BSNs in relation to Magnet status.

I found this on ASU's nursing programs website. Thought Id post to help understand this 80% BSN thing

"The Maricopa-ASU CEP is an educational pathway partnership designed to assist in meeting the Institute of Medicine 2010 Future of Nursing goal to increase the percentage of BSN RNs to 80% in Arizona by 2020."

Again the reasons behind are unclear, but I post to simply help explain.

Thanks !

RNfaster · Jun 1, 2012

Interesting. Here's a link to the Institute of Medicine's report: The Future of Nursing: Focus on Education - Institute of Medicine Reading the report allows one to view their reasons. --They suggest increased BSN RNs for reasons which include higher acuity of patients, increasing complexity of healthcare delivery, and because BSN RNs are better poised to pursue higher levels of education (e.g., NP). The organization predicts greater need for more advanced levels of nursing in coming years. Indeed, we are seeing increased use of NPs in our communities. These changes have been occurring before Obama reached office. Read report for further details.

I do think a BSN should be on the radar screen of anyone planning to be an RN. It increases employment options. --But--I don't think it's absolutely necessary to starting work. I'd work out the financial numbers. Project the costs and benefits of each route.

One likely reason ASU posts the Institute of Medicine's goal is to drive BSN admissions. BSN admissions drive ASU's revenue.

The schools are doing a great job of marketing to you. They want you to open your wallet or take out a loan. I would be careful... If I were to pursue a BSN before an ADN, I would look at clinical sites the school gives you access to and also placement rate for graduates and better places of employ (this can significantly impact earnings). I do think some of the state schools have clinical access/placement at some of the better places of work (versus private schools). If I were choosing a BSN as my route of entry, I would probably go to ASU or NAU. (I think they have access to some of the better clinical sites.)

Cobra12 · Jun 1, 2012

I just completed my ADN at a private school. From my job search thus far, what matters the most is already having your foot in the door. Most of the RNs that get jobs immediately upon graduating are those that already work at the facility. ADN vs. BSN seems to matter less than applying as an internal candidate.

If I had it to do over, knowing what I know now, I would still do the ADN at a private school, but work as a CNA while in school. Then pursue the BSN while working as an RN.

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

Hospitals wanting BSN trained nurses has nothing to do with "Obamacare". The hospitals want to achieve magnet status, and thus need the 80% of BSN educated nurses. This has been going in this direction long before healthcare reform was ever mentioned.

I am an ADN RN currently enrolled in a RN-BSN program. I had no problem getting a job 2 months after my license(I began March 1st), but it's not in a hospital. Every hospital position I apply to asks if you are BSN or currently attending a RN-BSN program. My classmates who were already working in a hospital and transitioned into a RN position had to sign an agreement stating their BSNs would be complete in 18 months, or they would lose their positions.

With the economy how it is and the over-saturation of new nurses in the Phoenix area (just in the valley, 900+ new nurse graduate each year... or maybe it was semester... either way it's more than there are jobs for), I would not fork out the money that private schools ask for. I would go the ADN route, then do the online RN-BSN through ASU or GCU -OR- I would get my grades up and just start applying to the universities to go straight into the BSN program.