BSN isn't really needed in TN?

U.S.A. Tennessee

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Hi everyone- I've been a New Yorker all of my life, but my family just bought a house in Eastern TN. I was an LPN in acute care from 93 to 08- RN, and just finished my BSN last year. The way everything here in NY is heading, BSNs are required for any teaching or management positions. So I spent all last week interviewing in hospitals in TN- NONE of the hospitals even asked me if I had my Bachelors- when I told them I did, they weren't impressed- none of the hospitals give any type of added salary increase for having it- They were mostly impressed/concerned about my experience in computer charting. WTH???? I'm so upset! Why did I bother to put myself through all of that, plus 22+ thousand in bills for nothing? Did anybody else find this to be the case? Another issue- Most of the hospitals aren't giving any consideration to my years as an LPN- The money in TN SUCKS!

Perhaps go for your associates and then bridge through an online program. Its definitely cheaper that way, and there are many "good" universities that offer bridge programs now.

I would say that it would take you less time to do a BSN program because you already have a lot of the prerequisites anyway having 2 degrees already. Go for it!

the pay for everything is less here in TN, BUT the cost of living is also a lot cheaper than it is in NY. BSN is slowly starting to make its way in TN. I am only a student, but looking at job openings for a few years I have noticed some require a BSN. Give it time, if you really need to make more money go to middle or west TN or back to NY.

When applying for jobs, pay attention to the educational requirements. If it says BSN preferred, that means an associate or diploma nurse will be considered with the right background. Yes, TN is in the low pay range for nurses, but not in the top ten lowest states according to www.nursinglink.monster.com/

Specializes in LAD.

I know this is an old post, but I came across it and wanted to provide some current information. Nursing reciters told me that the Methodist LeBonheur Hospital system is wanting their ASN RNs to pursue their BSN within the next 3 years. By 2017, they will only be hiring BSN. They are trying to become a magnet hospital and they need their nurses to hold BSN degrees. Hope this information was helpful :)

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