Which matters more, school name or degree?

SunDazed, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2009

I think it depends a lot on what part of the country you are in, how hard the hospital is feeling the shortage, and how many applicants they are getting. A classmate recently applied to Cedars Sinai (CA) and there were over 700 applicants for 50 jobs. So bachelors preferred probably meant something different than it did for a hospital across town who had openings for months unfilled and few applicants... right?

E.R. Rookie · Oct 14, 2009

Neither. I make the same as my co-workers with an ADN and a degree from community college

neatnurse30 · Oct 15, 2009

agreed. If you have your degree, your golden. i dont feel or have i ever ever seen that you are treated, paid or anything diff d/t where you went, what you got bsn/adn.
gl! hope it helps!
-H-RN

Totally agree! Nobody cares what nursing school you finished, seriously! Nobody ever asked me what school I finished, the most important thing is that you're competent, go for advanced degrees/certifications. Experience is also very important.

aanwyn, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2009

There is an accelerated program here in town that will give me a BSN and also sit for the RN exam when graduating. Should I go with that, or the program that requires experience for the BSN? I am confused as to which program is better, as far as knowledge and learning goes. I don't want to go into my first job lacking any really important info/ and or experience...

Based on what you're saying it seems you have already completed the associate/diploma nurse program, correct? Once you are an RN, you are an RN. The only thing you will be working for in the BSN program is the degree, so I don't think you would have to sit for the NCLEX exam again if you have already passed. If you are already an RN it seems like it might be pointless for you to do an accelerated program bc you will probably be re-learning what you have already learned in your Associate program. An accelerated program is not equivalent to a bridge program. If you are considering doing the accelerated program then you should scratch off working bc it is nearly impossible to do both. In the accelerated program everything is done in one calender year not a typical school year--it's VERY intense. In all honesty, if I were in your shoes I would get some experience bc it seems to be a crucial factor in the nursing job market right now. In addition, you could look for an employer who does tuition reimbursement and maybe they will pay for you to go back to school to get your BSN. Then you will have the necessary experience to do the bridge program.

Although everyone is saying "nurses are in demand, nurses are in demand," keep in mind that plenty of people have been going to nursing school bc of that. As a result, hospitals are now inundated with applications from new grads. At the same time, bc of the economy many experienced nurses have gone back to work. You are competing with experienced nurses now as well, not just new grads. Certain areas of the country are definitely still badly in need of nurses, but some aren't quite as bad. I live in the Northeast and RN jobs are harder to come by here than in the South.

I am also reading posts by others who say that the profession is not moving towards requiring a BSN. That is simply not true. I have had recruiters tell me flat out that BSN nurses are highly preferred, and if you are an AS new grad the competition to get a job will be that much harder for you. I know of hospitals that no longer hire AS nurses. Look at it this way, the US Army Nurse Corp will not hire an Associate/diploma nurse for active duty but will take them for Reserve. Personally, I think that speaks volumes.

I don't want you to think that AS nurses are second class, because it isn't so. We all have the same skill-set. However, I think the profession is looking to try and gain some continuity, hence the push for that BSN.

NurseBanana · Oct 15, 2009

Based on what you're saying it seems you have already completed the associate/diploma nurse program, correct? Once you are an RN, you are an RN. The only thing you will be working for in the BSN program is the degree, so I don't think you would have to sit for the NCLEX exam again if you have already passed. If you are already an RN it seems like it might be pointless for you to do an accelerated program bc you will probably be re-learning what you have already learned in your Associate program. An accelerated program is not equivalent to a bridge program. If you are considering doing the accelerated program then you should scratch off working bc it is nearly impossible to do both. In the accelerated program everything is done in one calender year not a typical school year--it's VERY intense. In all honesty, if I were in your shoes I would get some experience bc it seems to be a crucial factor in the nursing job market right now. In addition, you could look for an employer who does tuition reimbursement and maybe they will pay for you to go back to school to get your BSN. Then you will have the necessary experience to do the bridge program.

My husband is a health-care recruiter and he suggested that I get the AS/RN first, find a place I like working that will give tuition reimbursment, and then do the BSN, so that I won't have to pay for it. I think that is a GREAT idea! (I don't have an RN yet, but I DO have a BA in another field-hence the accelerated program is the best one for me). I guess a lot of posters here are not understanding that once I get that AS I would be sitting for the NCLEX exam right away, therefore I would be an RN... because you can't get a decent paying job without it, right? I thought that was pretty much understood in my posts...

aanwyn, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2009

My husband is a health-care recruiter and he suggested that I get the AS/RN first, find a place I like working that will give tuition reimbursment, and then do the BSN, so that I won't have to pay for it. I think that is a GREAT idea! (I don't have an RN yet, but I DO have a BA in another field-hence the accelerated program is the best one for me). I guess a lot of posters here are not understanding that once I get that AS I would be sitting for the NCLEX exam right away, therefore I would be an RN... because you can't get a decent paying job without it, right? I thought that was pretty much understood in my posts...

I agree with your husband completely.

NurseBanana · Oct 15, 2009

ok, so a little update... I have a choice between 2 programs in town:

1) is local community college ADN where I would sit for the NCLEX upon graduating. Then, i would have to work for a year before I could do their BSN program. (they require 2000 hrs experience)

OR

2) I can do the 4-yr university in town's Accelerated BSN program (because I already have a BA in another field), where I would obviously be sitting for the NCLEX along the way. Their program is completed in 3 & 1/2 semesters.

I'm thinking, for me personally, #2 is the way to go. What do you guys think?

GeneralJinjur · Oct 15, 2009

I vote for #2. You won't sit for the NCLEX until after you finish, though. Have you compared their pass rates?

julstexas · Oct 16, 2009

What matters is passing the NCLEX -- that is the ultimate goal. :yeah:

julstexas · Oct 16, 2009

Also if you have a BA in another field get your RN at your local college then go the RN->MSN route and skip the BSN. Just my 2 cents.

aanwyn, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2009

ok, so a little update... I have a choice between 2 programs in town:
1) is local community college ADN where I would sit for the NCLEX upon graduating. Then, i would have to work for a year before I could do their BSN program. (they require 2000 hrs experience)
OR
2) I can do the 4-yr university in town's accelerated BSN program (because I already have a BA in another field), where I would obviously be sitting for the NCLEX along the way. Their program is completed in 3 & 1/2 semesters.
I'm thinking, for me personally, #2 is the way to go. What do you guys think?

I definitely vote #2 bc its like the same time and plus you get BSN. #2 ALL THE WAY!!!