straight from the horse's mouth... adn vs bsn

[kenyacka]

I had a job interview for a CNA job at a local hospital yesterday. (That being said, please pray, send happy thoughts, cross your fingers or whatever for me lol) They asked that normal question "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" and I told them I want to be an RN. That lead to a discussion on ADN vs BSN. I was told to forget LPN and ADN unless I want to work in LTC. They told me they highly, highly recommend that I go straight for my BSN. They told me point blank that even if I work there as a CNA and get my ADN, they still will not promote me to a nurse's position. Granted, they are going for magnet status. All of the hospitals in my area (Kansas City) are either magnet or trying to be. So, if this is the case for your area too.... you might want to take note of this. I know this discussion has gone on forever, but I just felt it was worth repeating since this information came from 2 head nurses who have a large part in hiring nurses for this hospital.

[llg, PhD, RN]

PMFB-RN is right about the official Magnet requirements. So many people have mistaken ideas about that.

One of the reasons for the confusion is that "official Magnet requirements" are not the be all and end all. Other pressures do come to bear on a hospital's hiring decisions. The Magnet Program does not specify a certain % of BSN's. However, it does require that hospitals set goals for the % of BSN's or higher ... and wants to see those numbers increase steadily over a period of years. So, a hospital that starts its journey with 30% BSN's can set its goal at 40% and be commended for that. But a hospital that begins its journey at 50% BSN, can't be satisfied with dropping down to 40% That hospital has to set its goal somewhere above 50%. So, while there is not set standard hospitals must meet ... they must work to increase their BSN % -- and they are making their hiring decisions with that in mind.

Also ... the IOM recommendations (echoed by some other organizations) is for 80% of practicing nurses to have a BSN. There is peer pressure for hospitals "aiming for the top" to strive for that 80% figure. It's not a Magnet requirement to hit 80%, but its the standard for hospitals seeking to be at the top of the pecking order.

[EMT-newbie]

I have a recommendation from an army friend to go for BSN directly if at all possible and to layer on an EMT with volunteer work to acclimate to the medical environment and build the resume while waiting to get placed in a cohort (because I don't have a background as CNA or anything like that).

This recommendation was predicated on my already having done most of the lower class academic work already. Other considerations are that I'm older and doing a career change, my analytic nature and interest in ICU/ER style high pressure environments.

This overall discussion has been great, thank you all for your thoughts and the original poster for getting the ball rolling!