Types of Schools/Degrees for Hiring

[Luularoo]

I heard that "as long as you have a pulse" you will get hired, and I was wondering if that was true.

Does a school's reputation have a big affect on your chances to get a job in nursing, as they do for instance, in business positions? (because I was wondering if it is better to go to a vocational/technical or private school, or to get certification or degrees from community colleges, state schools or universities.) With other professions, they would probably hire someone from a Top ranked highly known college vs. a person with an online degree from a small lesser known college.

And do hospitals have a preference for the type of degree? For example, will they only hire qualified BSN's or higher? or do they hire at all levels CNA, LVN, RN's with ADN, etc.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I heard that "as long as you have a pulse" you will get hired, and I was wondering if that was true.

You only have to take one look at the forums here to know that statement is completely false. It is a very tough market for nurses right now, especially new graduate nurses without experience.

I don't think that the university's reputation matter as much in nursing as it does in other professions, but I wouldn't count it out entirely. Depending on the area you live in, the more notable schools might give you an edge. The most important thing is that the school is accredited by either the CCNE or the ANA. Technical and vocation schools tend to give associates degrees, while formal colleges and universities offer bachelors. Some hospital tend to hire nurses from schools that are affiliated with their hospital.

Currently, in some areas, bachelor degrees (or BSN's) are becoming the most favorable degree for graduating nurses, as opposed to the associates degree. The certifications, or diploma schools, have pretty much been phased out in the US. BSN's are really the highest degree for your standard staff RN.

CNA's and LVN's have a different license and a different job description. CNA's are still hired by hospitals. In many places, LVN's are being phased out of hospitals and mainly work in nursing homes and clinics, but this isn't true everywhere. Like I said, BSN is often the preferred degree, but nurses with ADNs do still get hired. It's hard for both BSNs and ADNs to get hired in most places right now.