Will an ADN = A High School Diploma?

[iPink, BSN, RN]

Hi all.

I'm currently a pre-nursing student. Nursing will be my second career and very excited to become an RN. Returning to school, I've noticed many people are aspiring to become Nurses. I recently had a great conversation with my Microbiology teacher who said, now that everyone wants to become a nurse, nursing schools are becoming very competitive for students. He said "C" grades were once acceptable, but nowadays it's not that easy to make it in with a C.

Some of my peers have decided to get the ADN, but eventually will continue on to their BSN. So, my question to you is will an ADN be considered equivalent to a High School Diploma to employers in the future, knowing that every year these colleges graduate a higher number of nurses than the year prior? And that a BSN will be looked at as the new ADN?

Another reason why I was compelled to ask these questions is since I'm new to the healthcare industry I've been doing some research and saw that Nurse Practitioners will need their DNP by 2015.

Thanks.

[Pat_Pat RN]

Your quesiton is a little confusing. I understand now what you are saying. "Will an ADN, at some point in the future, be similar (a dime a dozen) to what a high school diploma is now."

I think not.

[Moogie]

I agree with the above poster that ADNs will not become "a dime a dozen". However, if you already know that you're interested in pursing an advanced practice nursing role that will require a master's degree or DNP, why go the ADN route? Yes, it does cost more money, but your educational and career goals might be better served if you do an entry level BSN, an accelerated BSN or an entry level MSN program. BTW, those last two options would be open to you only if you have a bachelor's degree in another field already.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I also think not. My opinion is based purely on pragmatics....the healthcare profession needs nurses....ADN's, BSN's, MSN's. Needs them badly. There have been multiple movements over the years to promote the basic nurse entry-level at a BSN. It hasn't happened because it can't happen. Too much need vs too little supply.

Even the "no administrative positions for ADN's" position doesn't hold water. My facility is filled with ADN's holding administrative/management positions.

Supply/Demand.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the responses. I saw where my thread was correctly moved to and looked at other threads similar to this topic. What I have gathered is it depends on where you live or the hospital. In other threads I read, some are experiencing hospitals who are turning away ADNs and only hiring BSNs or higher. At my former job (Research industry), they will not hire anyone who doesn't hold at least a Bachelors.

Moogie, to answer your question, when I decided to go in the healthcare field, I originally looked at LPN as it was a one year program and wanted to start working. But, my aunt who lives in Georgia, advised me not to take that route as LPNs at her hospital are being let go. That hospital is no longer hiring LPNs and the current LPNs working there are soon to be retired. So I then thought I would spend 2 years to get an ADN, well then realized there are Accelerated BSN programs in my area that are 15 months, so that's the route I'm going to take.

So as you can see alot of things peek my question. I personally know nurses who have either a nursing diploma or an ADN who are so knowledgeable in the field and couldn't image them being turned away just because they don't hold at least the BSN. Even though I'll hold a BSN, I plan on having them as my teachers and feeding off their knowledge.