Starting to doubt myself, does my plan sound reasonable?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 2, 2016

Look at the job postings in your area to see if they state BSN required or BSN preferred. That may help guide your path. If you are in Philadelphia as your profile says, you may find that the majority of postings do indeed state BSN required/preferred.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Jan 2, 2016

Definitely area dependent. I am bridging to my associates and associate degree nurses are still getting hired here with the requirement that you need your BSN in 5 years. One thing I am doing is taking ALL of my bachelor pre-reqs while finishing up my associate pre-reqs. This will allow me to work full time and complete my BSN online in one years time after graduation. I plan to take a year off to get used to my new RN role but will then resume schooling. There are not many LPN to RN BSN options near me so this was my only choice but I think it will work out pretty good for me.

elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 2, 2016

Personal opinion mixed with what I've seen in my area which may but probably isn't representative of the current climate

It isn't too hard to find a job as a new grad, and being flexible as far as where/when you want to work makes it that much easier.

Finding a "part time" may be a little trickier though. This is relatively unheard of from my viewpoint, especially as a new grad, but obviously not impossible.

I'd go ahead and get my bsn rather than break it up because all things equal, and with a less than favorable job market out there for new grads, a bsn tends to look more desirable to employers, but that's really up to you and your situation As to whether you can afford to go 4 years before working or have the means to do so.

You may work at your prospective hospital as a tech to get your foot in the door. Many hca hospitals offer a PCT position completion of your first semester of nursing school because I guess after 1st semester you have the knowledge of your average cna?

Either way you have a few options, but go with what's best for you in your situation. Good luck !

DBtobeBSN · Jan 3, 2016

Almost every single hospital is BSN required. Unfortunately, we can't afford for me to not work for three years while I get my BSN.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jan 3, 2016

Yeah, I've heard Philly is a competitive area right now. There is a huge misconception out there about nursing. It's not the big money guaranteed job people seem to think it is.

Many areas are experiencing a shortage of experienced nurses, not new grads. New grads are being churned out every six months. With the housing market bust in 2008, many nurses that had planned to retire, can't. They lost their retirement when the economy went to pot. Lots of people also lost their jobs during that time and decided to go back to school in the medical field. So lots of those people have graduated over the last five years. Thus, this huge influx of new grads. But new grads with no experience.

Philly, New York, California, all bad areas to be a new grad in. Just be thankful you are researching the job market first. Imagine the people who wasted their money and don't have a job? I see it almost every day on here.

verene, MSN · Jan 3, 2016

It really depends on the area you live in / are looking for employment. If all the hospitals jobs state BSN required then it will be impossible to get a job as a new grad in the hospital with out one. BSN preferred means you might have a chance if you've been working there as a PCT/CNA or otherwise have good connections and work towards your BSN once employed (the hospital I currently work for is like this - they greatly prefer BSN new grads, but an ADN new-grad can be hired if they are "known" in some capacity and sign a contract stating they will complete their BSN within 5 years). Some places will still hire ADN into a hospital - particularly smaller hospitals or rural hospitals. If you live in a big city then getting a hospital job will likely be tough, particularly with out a BSN.

If you can afford to get the BSN right off the bat that would be great - but if you can't do what you can to stand out as an ADN student, take your BSN pre-reqs/co-reqs along the way, and be prepared to take a less desirable position until you complete the BSN bridge. It may be possible to work part-time while working on the BSN depending on the job you take. Also - many RN-BSN bridge programs are set up as a part-time program for the full-time employee - at least all the local programs in my region are this way.

Julia77 · Jan 4, 2016

Agree with advice above, definitely see who is being hired locally.

In addition:

Check out your schools.

I recommend ASN and then do the Western Governors University RN-BSN (I highly recommend this program). You can likely get tuition assistance as an employee, you are earning money 2 years sooner, and likely your Junior College faculty will be more bedside nurses who instruct (current hands on skills as nurses) rather than PhD have-been-100%-in-academia/research instructors. That said, I would do the awesome BSN program vs. a mediocre ASN. However, my experience was the reverse. Also, if you need a competitive grade, do not do the WGU, if you want to apply to a competitive program (i.e. CRNA) after the BSN. ASN = more hands on learning/multiple choice, BSN= more paper writing

:) Julia

aidyl93 · Jan 4, 2016

Maybe you could try to get a tech job to get your foot in the hospital door while you're in school. The hospital where I work will hire LPN's and associate degree RN's if they can prove that they will continue their education after being hired.

However, it probably depends on the organization and area demand. I'm going the ADN first route myself and my program starts next week! Good luck with whatever you decide.