Will BSN get jobs over ASN in this recession?

caliotter3 · Apr 5, 2009

The only time that education was ever discussed by an employer during an interview for me was because it was a fact that I was in school for a BSN and that was why I was pursuing a night shift position. I was hired partly because I would soon be getting an RN license, not because I would soon be getting a BSN.

RhodyGirl, RN · Apr 5, 2009

I am hoping that because I'm getting a BSN, it will give me a better shot at what little jobs are out there when I graduate. I'm also hoping to get an internship/SNA job next year to get more experience.

And, no, I don't think one degree is better than the other....a 4 year degree is just a personal goal of mine and lines up with my future plans for graduate school.

Most of the job postings in my area list "BSN preferred" for RN's....so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. But, maybe our economic situation in the next year or two will make things easier for all of us......who knows what will happen!

HippyGreenPeaceChick · Apr 8, 2009

I think experience and personality both go a long way to help make you look even better. Along with a good and accurate work history. But another thing that helps is my military background also. That certainly has it's own merits.

oramar · Apr 9, 2009

You know I honestly did not know the answer to this question and am reading the thread with great interest. Probably a year from now we will be able to answer the question with greater certainty.

shodobe · Apr 10, 2009

After 32 years WITHOUT a BSN I have been thinking about the time I stop working so hard in the OR. Getting a BSN degree has crossed my mind and I am still weighing the advantages. I find very few legit reasons. I make more an hour and per year than probably 95% of upper management, even some with MSN and can't see stepping back a little to achieve this. Now, I am not saying having that BSN degree can't have it's advantage way down the road, but those who think they have much of an advantage over those with ADNs or even Diplomas are really fooling themselves. Any manager that would hire a BSN grad over a ADN just because of that higher degree, I wouldn't want to work for them. Experience is where you will get the nod over others, book smarts is nice but practical experience will open far more doors now adays. I have another 5 years to put more money in my retirement account then I want to scale back until I am 65. Then I can get SS and really cut back to just a day or two a week. I couldn't just walk away completely. Don't ever go into an interview with the opinion that, "I am a BSN grad and that puts me above all the rest"! You will go down in splendid flames. Good luck though.

greygooseuria · Apr 10, 2009

After 32 years WITHOUT a BSN I have been thinking about the time I stop working so hard in the OR. Getting a BSN degree has crossed my mind and I am still weighing the advantages. I find very few legit reasons. I make more an hour and per year than probably 95% of upper management, even some with MSN and can't see stepping back a little to achieve this. Now, I am not saying having that BSN degree can't have it's advantage way down the road, but those who think they have much of an advantage over those with ADNs or even Diplomas are really fooling themselves. Any manager that would hire a BSN grad over a ADN just because of that higher degree, I wouldn't want to work for them. Experience is where you will get the nod over others, book smarts is nice but practical experience will open far more doors now adays. I have another 5 years to put more money in my retirement account then I want to scale back until I am 65. Then I can get SS and really cut back to just a day or two a week. I couldn't just walk away completely. Don't ever go into an interview with the opinion that, "I am a BSN grad and that puts me above all the rest"! You will go down in splendid flames. Good luck though.

Well, we're talking about new grads, not people with experience. A person with a BSN may have used their critical reading skills to figure that out ;-)

Castymiss · Apr 10, 2009

I remember years ago I was applying for a job. I had years of AA degree experience..(they did not have the ADN at that time). I was told point blank, DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BSN DEGREE. This was for a public health position. THAT got me back to school after 20 years as an AA degree nurse. I find the hospitals do not pay any different between the two degrees. I have LEFT the hospital setting, NEVER to return. I also think working in big cities pay much more. Experienced nurses are leaving the hospital setting in droves due to horrible working conditions, poor management, and abuse the nurse takes from supervisors. Hence they are running to other countries trying to fill those spots. They can have them..hahaha....So MANY jobs outside of the hospital setting. You just have to go and find them.

shodobe · Apr 11, 2009

Well, we're talking about new grads, not people with experience. A person with a BSN may have used their critical reading skills to figure that out ;-)

No, I think some out there still can't figure it out. Some still have this opinion that they should be hired over those with lesser degrees. There will always be positions that require a higher degree and all should accept that. But when it comes down to apples to apples, your impression with the interviewer will seal the deal, not your college degree. The other problem is hospitals are starting to drop their reimbursement programs and I don't think I want to get stuck with the balance of a 20-30,000 dollar program that might be hard to pay off. I have read where this is happening and the payback for older nurses might be questionable.

Castymiss · Apr 11, 2009

I went to an RN to BSN program at a State University...Cost about $ 9,000.00 for the 3 year program. That is very do able. I went ONE day a week. Worked 12 hour shifts three days a week and still had 3 to 4 days to study. I did not obtain loans or grants to go to this school. My work DID give me some of the money back, but had they not have, I still would have done it. I also think that if both nurses are qualified and both do a great interview....the factor WILL come down to the degree. I also think that if the BSN flubs the interview then the AA degree nurse will get it. Especially if it is bedside care nursing. Any management position usually requires or is preferred to have at least a BSN.

OregonBSN · Apr 18, 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?

Regions and hospitals vary, but for Oregon...

This spring 2009 Salem Hospital in Salem, Oregon had openings for 40 NEW graduates. These new graduate positions are only open to BSNs. Salem Hospital is looking towards Magnet Status so they are actively increasing their proportion of BSN nursing staff.

Are associates degree new grads getting squeezed out? In this case yes.

Castymiss · Apr 18, 2009

I live in Los Angeles and many of the hospitals have gotten rid of the New Grad programs at the hospitals due to extra costs. New Grads are having a difficult time getting hired. My daughters friend just passed boards and after a month, still does not have a job. She has an AA degree. I somewhat think that if there is a job opening and two candidates have the same experience, same everything...then YES a BSN WILL be the major factor. At the VA hospitals they are ONLY hiring BSN nurses. They also are going for Magnet Status. I will tell all AA, AS degree nurses to RETURN to school for that BSN....You only have to go for ONE day a week for 3 years, part time.

RN34TX · Apr 19, 2009

I will tell all AA, AS degree nurses to RETURN to school for that BSN....You only have to go for ONE day a week for 3 years, part time.

But what is getting missed here is that this issue is regarding new grads, not experienced nurses. Bottom line is that new grads are expensive to train and risky compared to a nurse experienced in the specialty in which a facility is looking to fill a particular position.

I agree with your advice, but a new grad returning new to school getting a BSN 3 years later is no longer a new grad RN. They most likely will have been doing some type of nursing during those 3 years.

So to the new grad who has a hard time getting a job now........in 3 years will they land the job because of getting their new BSN or will it be because they now have 3 years of experience under their belt and are no longer so expensive and risky to train?

My point here is that I think that whether the nurse goes back to school for the BSN or whether he/she gets 3 years of experience without going back to school will make little difference in terms of landing a staff nurse position.

I'd be willing to bet that during these economic times, if a facility was looking at an experienced ADN resume and a new grad BSN resume, they'd be more likely to pick the experienced candidate who will be faster and cheaper to train/orient/precept. Magnet status or not.

So the BSN would only help someone who is neck in neck for the same position and both candidates were relatively equal in all other areas.