Will BSN get jobs over ASN in this recession?

caliotter3 · Apr 5, 2009

I have found that experience is the key most of the time. Not too many employers distinguish between levels of education. If they do, that is made clear in the job listing, so that a person is aware going into the selection process. More than likely the impression that a person makes will count more toward getting hired. A personable, impressive person will always go further in the long run.

ange26s · Apr 5, 2009

From my understanding Hospitals see BSN and ADN students the same, and if there aren't any Hospitals willing to train new grads,both are out of luck.At the hospitals in my area you have to apply specifically to a new grad position, and once there full you have to wait regardless if you have a BSN or ADN.Also, the pay for the two are exactly the same as new grads in my area.We're all newbies in the beginning.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2009

I don't think so, most of the jobs I see posted for new grads just say New Grads no experience required and must have a RN lic. the pay difference at the hospital here between a new grad, ASN-BSN is 38 cents. Jobs I have seen for BSN or higher require many years experience. All the jobs that don't say New Grad or No experience required on the site I looked at for my hospital say 1 year Min. acute care exp.

RN34TX · Apr 5, 2009

I was just wondering what you think. Now that there is this recession and a lot of new grads are having a hard time getting jobs, do you think that BSN nurses will be hired over ASN nurses? I.E. similar back ground experience but BSN vs ASN degree?

A BSN does help in weeding out the competition. If it didn't, you wouldn't see so many ASN nurses going back for their BSN later. But I admit that is an overly simplistic/generalized statement with regard to your question.

I have never been a nurse manager so my comments are only from an experienced staff nurse view point.

I think that it has more to do with whether or not the interviewer "likes" you or likes your answers to their questions. I truely believe that most if not all of the jobs that I have ever gotten were more a result of a good interview rather than what was on my resume.

If two new grad RN's equally gave a great interview and had the same/equal amount of pre-RN experience (prior LPN, CNA, etc.) with respect to the postion in which they were interviewing for, then maybe I could see them taking the one that had the BSN just for the tie breaker.

But I'm speculating that this is hardly ever the case and that most managers have already made up their mind about whether or not you are a good fit for the position, BSN or ASN, by the time you leave the interview.

I work at a major university teaching hospital (notorious for being degree snobs and obsessed about how many letters you have after your name) and on my unit I know for a fact that they go by type and years of experience as well as how well they interviewed. BSN is never even discussed or on the table. My manager goes through the candidates with us and gets our feedback before hiring anyone.

But my unit does not hire new grads period so perhaps a post from someone who does hire them would be more appropriate to your question.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2009

I think a degree plays a part once you have exp. but I don't think it does as a New Grad, not according to what the HR lady at my hospital told me.

greygooseuria · Apr 5, 2009

As a new grad, from what I have seen, if two candidates have the same experience and are both new grads, the interview goes to the BSN first; ie: before they even consider the ADN, they consider the BSN first.

However, what I think trumps this is having a member. Seriously, being a guy is the reason I think I've gotten as many interviews/offers as I have. I'm grateful I have a job for when I graduate, but I would feel really, really hurt if I learned the reason I got it over someone else was for being male.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 5, 2009

Where I work, the educational preparation is a factor -- but not the only factor. The quality of the school counts, too, as well as the amount of experience and the "personality" of the applicant. We would "prefer" to hire BSN's, but only if the college has a good reputation, a track record of producing high quality nurses.

I work in an area where there are 3 local BSN programs, 2 of which are not very good. Some of the local ADN and Diploma programs produce a higher quality graduate. However, there are several excellent BSN programs a couple of hours away and we think highly of their graduates.

So ... we hire a mixture of BSN, AD, and Diploma new grads ... but our "ideal" applicant is a BSN applicant from a high quality school. It's a complicated choice made on a case by case basis.

Here's another thought from a hiring perspective. When we hire an ADN or Diploma grad, we will probably have to pay her tuition reimbursement and accommodate her scheduling requests as she goes back to school for the BSN. That adds to the expense of hiring those nurses. That's an expense the hospital doesn't have if they hire a BSN, who already has the educational qualifications for her first promotion.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 5, 2009

Good points llg from someone in the know.

RN34TX · Apr 5, 2009

Good points llg from someone in the know.

llg always has great career advice. Wish I had someone similar in my life in the 90's when I was in my 20's and floundering.

truern · Apr 5, 2009

With my ADN I was hired over BSNs...but then my NS has a good rep in the community :)

I know as a nurse I've had students from both degrees work with my patients and in my experience the ADNs could hit the floor running, but the BSNs with all their theory, etc didn't have the same clinical skills. They also tended to focus on one aspect of care each week to the detriment of other aspects. If psychosocial was their focus they'd interview the patients relentlessly, but not bother to tend to basic needs that were *not* the focus. I never really understand that

JMO, but in the beginning neither has an advantage over the other, but down the line the BSN has the advantage when it comes to management positions.

Edited to add: at my hospital there's no difference in the pay for an ADN and a BSN new grad.

moncj66 · Apr 5, 2009

don't think so, I am in a BSN program and during clinical at st. lukes there were some new hires on the floor as well orienting and I asked them what they make and there rank..Everyone had a associate degree and one girl only had a diploma! I was shocked and they also told me the pay difference was only 50 cents btw ASN and BSN, and im really starting to wonder why I chose the hard route!!