So is ADN- RN really a waste of time?

[mzsuccess]

I'm starting next year and everyone is saying don't do it go straight for BSN and I won't be able to find a job and so on and on. I plan to bridge my way through and then start on my BSn. So I would like to hear from other nurses and pre-nursing students. What do you think? Is it hard on ADNs? Job and pay? And do BSN always think they're better than you and you're frowned upon? Also, are the hospital still hiring ADNS or are most just Bsn preferred.

[MsPebbles]

I'm in an ADN program and was hired a couple months ago as a nurse tech at a magnet-designated hospital system. Sure, they'd prefer to hire BSN grads, but it doesn't mean it's impossible as I've been told I'll pretty much have a guaranteed job as an RN when I graduate. I work with quite a few ADN nurses and they are all treated equally with equal pay. The BSN nurses are terrific (as are the ADNs) and no one looks down upon anyone else because of their degree. They all sat for the boards, they're all RNs.

Now, I will say that continuing on to a BSN degree is highly encouraged because it is the direction we're headed sooner or later. Also, those with an ADN are unable to move into management positions, so your choices are more limited. I believe my indication that I'll be continuing my education after I graduate from my ADN program helped me get the job. I'm located in Michigan, though, so I can't speak for other parts of the country.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

New England. ..big city hospital. ..hired as an ADN new grad...never listen to the nay sayers. Do your own thing

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

That worked for me, I would make sure that you apply and get in a BSN program immediately so that when you apply for a job, they know. It is going to be harder to get jobs as a new grad ADN, but they are still hiring with the caveat that you get your BSN within a certain time frame

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I graduated nearly three years ago with my ASN. I was offered a job prior to graduation at a hospital on a busy acute care floor. I am earning far above my expectations and am happy in my work and my employer is happy with me. I am now halfway done with my BSN, have applied elsewhere and have had overwhelming response. This is in DFW. I stacked the odds in my favor by utilizing inside contacts and by working at a hospital during school as a nurse extern.

Yes, it is harder to get hired as an ASN. No, it doesn't mean you should not go for that if that is what works for your life. Just manage your expectations, stay in reality about job prospects, do what you can through school to keep your eye on the goal (a job after graduation) and build your bridges to increase your odds. Definitely get into that BSN program ASAP after graduating with your two year nursing degree and put it on your resume with an expected graduation date. It matters more in some areas than others, but one thing is definite - there are areas of nursing that will be closed off without a BSN. Only you can determine if that matters to you.

It doesn't take much searching on this board to see that BSN new grads are also struggling to get hired.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

There is no "better than" when it comes to various levels of education. Is an electrical engineer better than an electrician? Nope - they both work with electricity, but have different scopes of responsibility & performance expectations.

Healthcare is rapidly evolving -becoming more complex and sophisticated & this is driving changes in healthcare professions. Some, such as Physical Therapy implemented higher levels of education as an entry into practice. The profession formerly known as "medical records" has been completely transformed to reflect today's digital world. Increasing levels of educational preparation are to be expected if nursing is going to continue to be relevant.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You need to research your local job market and see how that matches with your career interests. In my neck of the woods, new ADN grads are able to find employment -- but are limited in their options. Many of the most popular employers rarely, if ever, hire new ADN grads, though even they make ocassional exceptions. For example, very few new ADN grads get to work in popular specialties such as pediatrics, maternity, ICU, etc. For most new ADN's in my area, their first few years are spent in geriatric facilities, long-term care facilities, or hospital-based adult med/surg. For those people interested in those types of jobs, the ADN as a first step works out very well for them. But for those new grads longing to work in peds, maternity, etc. -- they are often pretty unhappy with the jobs available to them.

So ... what is it like in your region? And will you be satisfied with the types of jobs available to you when you graduate in 2 or 3 years? That's what really matters -- not whether other people in a town far away have been satisfied with the outcome of their choices.

There is nothing wrong with starting with an ADN. But be sure you are basing your decision on the realities of your local job market so that you won't be surprised by your options in a couple of years.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I graduated from an ADN school and I haven't had issues finding jobs. Some of my classmates are having issues though. If possible, get experience inside a hospital.

I had an ER and ICU position offered before I graduated. I took the ICU but hated it so I found an ER spot. I wanted the infusion center spot but due to a miscommunication, I accepted the ER spot first. Other people still call me to set up interviews.

In all honesty, finding a new job as a new grad regardless of diploma, ADN, or BSN is tough. However, your experiences can make you stand out.

[Raviepoo]

In my part of the country ADNs are still getting jobs, although not as quickly as BSN candidates. An ADn might not get the job he or she wants, but there are jobs out there. Are you willing to work in long term care until you find the hospital job of your dreams? Are you willing to pursue your RN - BSN in the first few years after hiring? Some hospitals in this area require that, but they also pay for it.

Things may be different in your area.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

We hire ADN prepared nurses all the time. Most of the nurses in management positions at my hospital are ADN grads, including our DON.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Like others have said, it depends on what the hospitals in your area are hiring for. In my immediate area, i won't have a problem finding a job. For what I want to end up doing years down the road, I will need a BSN. So I am going to do that while getting my experience here.

[BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN]

Not a waste of time at all! If your area hires ADN, it makes smart sense economically to get a much cheaper, faster way into a great job, then hopefully your employer will contribute something to the costs of getting your Bachelors in the very near future. In addition, BSN schools can be very tough to get into, while sometimes ADN schools are faster to get started. This is what I did with no student loan debt! Just finished my BSN this past spring. I am glad I went the ADN route.