Will BSN get jobs over ASN in this recession?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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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?

Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.
That's interesting, all this time I was under the impression BSN and ADN took the SAME CRITICAL THINKING NCLEX EXAM:lol2:

:) Well it's true both ADN and BSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN Exam.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.
That's interesting, all this time I was under the impression BSN and ADN took the SAME CRITICAL THINKING NCLEX EXAM:lol2:

And I think a diploma nurse takes the same exam as well.

I guess the difference lies in the extra couple of years of education, the extra classes in pharmacology and physical assessment, the extra classes in basic management and research application, etc. I suppose that employers just like to hire people who have been proactive enough to learn extra detail about what they do. To complete a baccalaureate degree shows that someone has greater commitment and self actualization than someone who feels that a two year degree is just good enough.

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Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.
And I think a diploma nurse takes the same exam as well.

I guess the difference lies in the extra couple of years of education, the extra classes in pharmacology and physical assessment, the extra classes in basic management and research application, etc. I suppose that employers just like to hire people who have been proactive enough to learn extra detail about what they do. To complete a baccalaureate degree shows that someone has greater commitment and self actualization than someone who feels that a two year degree is just good enough.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that last statement. I already have a bachelor's degree and am not eligible for student loans. So I opted to attend a community college because the tuition is only about $600 a semester compared to $1500 or more. If two people with two different level degrees take the same exam and the person who has a 2 year vs a 4 year degree scores higher, then I guess that 2 year degree was better than "just good enough". But does that mean that the person with the 2 year degree is more committed?

Just because you go to school for a shorter period of time doesn't mean you posses less knowledge or are less committed than the person who opted for a 4 year degree. People have various reasons for choosing the path they decide to take. Maybe at that time getting an ADN was more feasible than a BSN. Maybe the CC was closer to their home or maybe the ADN program is the only night nursing program in their area...who knows! Besides, there are plenty of bridge programs out there for the working nurse. Just my opinon.

As far as learning extra detail...you learn more on the job than you could in a classroom. The ADN, BSN and Diploma programs are required to complete the same number of clinical hours.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education, and Acute Care.
I'm going to have to disagree with you on that last statement. I already have a bachelor's degree and am not eligible for student loans. So I opted to attend a community college because the tuition is only about $600 a semester compared to $1500 or more. If two people with two different level degrees take the same exam and the person who has a 2 year vs a 4 year degree scores higher, then I guess that 2 year degree was better than "just good enough". But does that mean that the person with the 2 year degree is more committed?

You can't generalize a conclusion from a single datum. You are talking about a single specific test score, and I am talking about overall general knowledge and commitment to a goal in reference to most people. The only measurement of one's commitment are past achievements, and completing extra years of college education can be used as an example of that. Since you have already completed a bachelor's degree (in a different field?) then you have already shown you are an intelligent person with the capability and commitment to complete a significant level of college education.

Once again, I am speaking of the general population here, not to specific cases. Most people who have a higher degree will possess more knowledge. But of course that doesn't always hold true in specific cases. I'm sure that you can give plenty of examples where someone with many years of education did not know the answer to a question, however, the person with the additional years of education is always considered to be more educated.

Just because you go to school for a shorter period of time doesn't mean you posses less knowledge or are less committed than the person who opted for a 4 year degree.

I agree. However, a potential employer has no way of knowing your level of knowledge or commitment except through what you tell them at an interview and what is on your resume. Extra years of college, generally speaking, indicate higher levels of both knowledge and commitment.

As far as learning extra detail...you learn more on the job than you could in a classroom. The ADN, BSN and Diploma programs are required to complete the same number of clinical hours.

Once again I am in agreement with you. But we are not speaking about on the job training or the number of clinical hours. The difference between BSN and ADN/ASN is in the extra academic knowledge learned from additional classes in advanced physical assessment, pathophysiology, research application, basic management, pharmacology, and so on. In the ADN/ASN programs you only skim the surface on these topics. To be honest though, it isn't until you reach graduate school that you really get an indepth understanding of most of these areas.

It is simply this; To a potential employer, someone with a BSN on a resume indicates that a person has had additional years of education beyond the ADN/ASN and, although given the option to go the easy route, has instead elected to commit the time and work necessary to obtain a higher degree with all of the academic knowledge that comes along with that. Therefore, once again generally speaking, because a potential employer can only know what is on your resume and in the interview, all else being equal someone with a higher degree will always sound more appealing. But, the funny thing about this is that someone who interviews well will get the job over someone who has a higher degree - almost every time!

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Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.

It is simply this; To a potential employer, someone with a BSN on a resume indicates that a person has had additional years of education beyond the ADN/ASN and, although given the option to go the easy route, has instead elected to commit the time and work necessary to obtain a higher degree with all of the academic knowledge that comes along with that. Therefore, once again generally speaking, because a potential employer can only know what is on your resume and in the interview, all else being equal someone with a higher degree will always sound more appealing. But, the funny thing about this is that someone who interviews well will get the job over someone who has a higher degree - almost every time!

I wouldn't necessarily call getting your ADN vs your BSN an "easy route" It is a more economical route, for me anyway. The classes I've taken in my ADN program were tough!!!

Most employers are more interested in someone they can spend less time training to do a job...by that, I mean they're looking for someone with experience. But whatever, both Associate and Bachelor trained nurses are being hired and there are a lot of both who aren't. So I agree that the person who interviews better will probably get the job.

I wish everyone the best of luck with your job search and your future endeavors.

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Most of the job opportunities in my area say "BSN preferred"

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