Will i have the same chances of being hired if i get a ADN?

Mr I Care · Dec 30, 2009

Well, now I'm confused -- if you really believe your first statement, that there's no difference between having an ADN and having a BSN, and no real advantage to having a BSN, than why are you planning on getting a BSN yourself??
The two statements seem contradictory to me. I'm not trying to be argumentative; I'm just puzzled.

I stand behind my post. There is no difference as it relates to a ADN-prepared nurse and a BSN-prepared nurse when it comes to job opportunities etc.... I have done research and have spoke with many nurse managers concerning this topic. However, my goal is to be an advance practice nurse, so i will have to get my BSN or enroll into a bridge RN-MSN program.

As for you, if your plans are to be a beside nurse then a ADN would be suffice to competently care for all pts with any illness or disease in any speacialty area. My grandmother (ADN) is a retired nurse supervisor in ICU. She also worked as charge nurse in psych and ER for 37years. Based on her success and my research, it is safe for me to conclude that a BSN vs ADN is merely one's personal choice, not a requirement or a determining factor to solidify one as skilled nurse.

No contradiction on my part.

UVA Grad Nursing · Dec 30, 2009

If you are thinking of working at a Magnet facility (or a hospital that is a Magnet aspirant), then the degree earned makes a difference. In my state, most of the Magnet hospitals prefer hiring BSN-prepared nurses (several have an 80+% target). For one Level 1 trauma center this meant hiring 6 ADNs (and 54 BSNs). Another Level I trauma hired 28 BSNs and 3 ADNs this year. Both facilities turned away hundreds of applicants. Another Magnet hospital in DC I know well had over 1000 applications this year (for 55 new grad positions - none went to ADN grads) .

If your interest is working in a community hospital with no plans of going Magnet, then an ADN degree may actually be preferred.

One more thing -- try and get the tuition support guarantees in writing. With tightening budgets here in Virginia, tuition benefits has been one of the first things to get cut or delayed.

elkpark · Dec 30, 2009

I stand behind my post. There is no difference as it relates to a ADN-prepared nurse and a BSN-prepared nurse when it comes to job opportunities etc.... I have done research and have spoke with many nurse managers concerning this topic. However, my goal is to be an advance practice nurse, so i will have to get my BSN or enroll into a bridge RN-MSN program.
As for you, if your plans are to be a beside nurse then a ADN would be suffice to competently care for all pts with any illness or disease in any speacialty area. My grandmother (ADN) is a retired nurse supervisor in ICU. She also worked as charge nurse in psych and ER for 37years. Based on her success and my research, it is safe for me to conclude that a BSN vs ADN is merely one's personal choice, not a requirement or a determining factor to solidify one as skilled nurse.
No contradiction on my part.

Things do change in healthcare over time. It would be nearly impossible for anyone starting out now to accomplish what your grandmother did with an ADN (only).

SCSTxRN · Dec 31, 2009

At the only hospital here in town an ADN from the local community college is just as - if not more - likely to graduate with a job offer than the BSN from the local university. As far as I know, no one who graduated from the ADN program 5/2009 was still looking for a job in November unless they failed NCLEX the first time.

Our ADN program is HARD and those women running it think they've got a diploma program going on, I think. :) I would not dream of showing up to clinicals without equipment; a university student precepting on the same floor one day said and I quote, "I am really tired and don't feel up to this today, I would like to go home." AND THEY LET HIM COME BACK. My program would have said, "Maybe you should do that - go withdraw on your way".

Cook Children's in Dallas won't talk to me without a BSN.

My career goal requires more than an ADN - because it requires more than 'just' an R.N. .. so I plan to take my little 10k ADN and work at the local hospital, if they will have me, while I finish the University's RN - MSN program.

I will have my B.S.N. one semester later than if I had just done the University's program to start with - but I will also have 2 years of experience as a 'real' R.N.

By the time I have my BSN through that program I will have the R.N. experience that the FNP program requires.

I say all of that to say, "talk to the hospitals you hope to have as employers, find out what they recommend".

Mr I Care · Dec 31, 2009

The overall point her is, with experience anything is possible regardless of your degree. One's degree does not determine his or her capabilities and aspirations in the nursing profession. Once one gain the respect and skill to be a good nurse then the sky is the limit.

I would not get hung-up on magnet hospitals because at the end the day no matter where you work the ultimate goal is too provide care to ill people. I am sure the most important thing is getting a job and being satisfied with the pay.

" The hospital does not make the Nurse"

Research your area,and stick with your plan because you will get a multitude of opinions here which will confuse you and make you more indecisive.

Mr I Care · Dec 31, 2009

Things do change in healthcare over time. It would be nearly impossible for anyone starting out now to accomplish what your grandmother did with an ADN (only).[/quote
Of course, my grandmother did not start out as supervisor. My granny had 6years of experience before taking on a supervisor role. All I am saying is having ADN vs BSN does not mean that one would be limited, as far as, job opportunities etc.... However, if one was to decide to work as a manager, director, or any other highly specialize area then a BSN or MSN would be best to get your feet in the door quickly.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 31, 2009

The overall point her is, with experience anything is possible regardless of your degree. One's degree does not determine his or her capabilities and aspirations in the nursing profession. Once one gain the respect and skill to be a good nurse then the sky is the limit.
QUOTE]
That is not true anymore. Regardless of your clinical experience ... and regardless of how much people like you and respect you ... a nurse with only an ADN is ineligible for many positions in today's world. Many clinical, managerial, and edducational positions require a BSN (or at least strongly prefer a BSN) and many require a graduate degree.
The ADN is a fine degree for beginning one's career -- assuming that the nurse understands that there will be a few less job opportunites as some employers favor BSN's for even entry-level jobs. But the sky is not the limit. Upward career mobility in nursing requires more than just the minimal educational credential. The world is changing in its standards and the required credentials for nures have been increasing steadily over the past 150 years. There has been a lot of change in the past 20 years or so.

sophie<3 · Jan 9, 2010

Well, when I started college in 2006 I had my mind set on getting a 4 year degree..I just felt that was what my brother was doing, what my dad did, basically I thought it was expected of me. I was fine with it, I assumed that BSN had its advantages because why else would they make you go to school for 2 extra years? Well, now here I am in my 4th year of college and was just accepted into an ADN program and couldn't be happier. After many attempts at getting in the BSN program and a lot of research I realized that the type of nurse I want to be does not require a 4 year degree at all. I am not really interested in a management role or to get a Master's Degree (at least it's not on my to-do list now) I simply want to get out in the workforce and get my hands dirty..so to speak. My mother is a nurse and has her ADN and she makes $90,000 a year..she has worked hard for her money and experience but I know there are a lot of BSNs that don't make that much. With an ADN you still have just as many oppurtunities. Nursing is what you make it IMO..you can tailor it how you wish. If you choose to get a Master's degree or want to go further..by all means go get your BSN. But if you just want to work at the bedside then don't waste your time on the other 2 years..many hospitals don't care whether you are BSN or ADN..you passed the same NCLEX...just some food for thought

RoxyDi · Jan 9, 2010

As an RN who feels forced into finally obtaining a BSN, due to the lack of jobs in my area, I would say, get the BSN asap. No two ways about it. Don't even think about stopping with an ADN. I always wanted to continue my education, but there were always things that took priority. Now a BSN is much like an ADN was 25 years ago - just the beginning. Look at the ads for NPs and advance practice nurses - there are tons of them. Very few ads say "ADN preferred".

abweaver · Jan 15, 2010

The majority of RNs in the US are ADN-prepared and never move beyond that level (educationally, I mean). They are working. While it is true that some individual hospitals prefer or require BSNs, most do not. It is true that some areas of the country are v. "pro-BSN" and ADN grads have a hard time finding a first job in those areas and may have to relocate to find a job -- but plenty of new BSN grads are having to relocate to find work, too, these days.
You don't need to be concerned about hurting or limiting yourself by starting out with an ADN. If you decide later you want (or need) a BSN, there are plenty of BSN-completion programs for ADN grads.

Good answer...

Cathylady · Jan 16, 2010

icududekerry,

i hardly consider a bsn a frivolous requirement. additional degrees doesn't make one necessarily more knowledgeable when it comes to nursing but it does in many ways make one a more well-rounded nurse. continuing one's education is always a good thing and is never frivolous. and as it has been said, there is often times more opportunity with an advanced degree.

Mr I Care · Jan 16, 2010

everyone is entitled to there own opinion. if a degree does not make one more knowledgeable as it relates to nursing, then it is safe to conclude such opinion about hospital requirements. at the end of the day we are all nurses regardless of our obtained degree level. being a well-rounded nurse comes with experience, not determined by or obtained by getting a bsn. i am not anti-bsn, but i am just trying to point out that a degree ( asn, bsn) level does not equal a good nurse.

icududejkerry,
i hardly consider a bsn a frivolous requirement. additional degrees doesn't make one necessarily more knowledgeable when it comes to nursing but it does in many ways make one a more well-rounded nurse. continuing one's education is always a good thing and is never frivolous. and as it has been said, there is often times more opportunity with an advanced degree.