What is priority: experience or BSN?

BeachsideRN, ASN · Mar 21, 2015

I don't know about that area but my plan is to pursue both employment and BSN when I finish my ADN. My market is currently actively hiring ADNs though so I'm hoping to at least take a small break between ADN and BSN (or RN-MSN).

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2015

Both.

When will you graduate with your ADN? I would say, as soon as you finish, enroll in an online BSN program in which you can finish in a year. A BSN and 2-3 years experience and you're golden.

Between the two, I would say that experience (experience = more than 2 years in your specialty) trumps a BSN, but it's best if you can have both.

FWIW, I was able to be hired easily at both University of Colorado Hospital and Children's with an ADN and 4+ years of experience. But getting the BSN has certainly opened more doors for me.

happy2015 · Mar 21, 2015

I will have my BSN in May of this year. (Yay!) I am planning on doing the BSN program immediately but I'm trying to decide which track to take. The university I attend offers a two semester fast-track or a five semester track (with this option I would be able to work part-time to get a jump on experience.)

So that's why I need to make a decision that moves me closer to Fort Collins!

theRNJedi · Mar 21, 2015

Speaking from a hiring manager's perspective, I would prioritize the BSN. I can always hire someone and let them gain experience, but I can't necessarily give them a BSN; that takes their own initiative and effort to pursue advanced education. (which will make you more marketable with more opportunities). Having said that, all jobs, organizations, and units have their own culture and leadership with varying mindsets on the topic. In some circumstances experience will get you in the door first because it's less training and investment for the organization because you come to the team already skilled with a relevant knowledge base for a specific job; that's very meaningful to certain leadership. Other organizations pride themselves on having all baccalaureate/master's prepared nurses and will not consider ADNs/LPNs regardless of experience. There's no right or wrong to which you should prioritize, so I would say prioritize both as best you can. A bigger influence will be your own personal situation, career aspirations, types of organizations you desire to work for, salary expectations, long term goals, etc....

Also, if you're really wanting to maximize your bargaining power and marketability for the best jobs with the highest salaries, think 'certification'. You should aim to become certified in your nursing specialty as soon as you can. In many ways a certification can be the best thing you can do for yourself as a candidate, even above having a BSN. (But specialty certifications typically require a minimum amount of hours working in that specialty field and implies not only that you have experience, but that you've become a competent, reliable, and 'expert' nurse in your field of nursing...i.e. highly valuable.) Good luck!

-theRNJedi