With an ASN will it be hard to find a job?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

I am a nursing major currently attending a community college and have almost completed classes to be able to apply to the ASN and or BSN program. However at this time I feel that the ASN is what I currently have time and money to do. Does anyone know if it is hard to go back and apply to get into the BSN program after I have already completed my ASN. And with an ASN will it be hard to find a job???

Whether it is "hard" or not will depend on the individual school. The answer there is to be had at the admissions office. If the ASN program has an integration agreement with the BSN program, maybe not so hard. Maybe.

Yes, in most places it is increasingly difficult for ASN to find work. Read the ads in your local Sunday paper: "BSN preferred/required" means that any BSN gets in line ahead of you.

RunBabyRN · Jan 26, 2014

There are a lot of RN-BSN programs you can look at doing once you have your RN license. It's not easy, but most people work through the programs. Some of them offer a part time version, and many of them are online, so you can do things when it's convenient for you.

As far as finding a job, find out what's happening in your area. This varies widely, so paying attention to hiring trends where you live is important. At the hospital where I'm doing clinicals/precepting, I see a lot of ADN-prepared nurses, and some of them are in school getting their BSNs. Other hospitals in the area prefer a BSN. In the major cities, most hospitals prefer BSN-prepared nurses, from what I know.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2014

It is very difficult to find a job with an ADN here in WI. However, I am an ADN grad and am working towards my BSN and recently started a new job. If you can, go for the BSN. Or, you might get lucky. Either way, there are lots of programs for both online, blended, and traditional that work with ADN's. I can say that if you decide to go the ADN route, try to get back into a BSN completion program sooner rather than later.

I waited for about a year and I really really am tired of school. I have 4 classes to take to get my BSN and I'm burning out big time. I just want to work and go home and have a life.

melizerd, ASN, RN · Jan 29, 2014

I think it really depends on your location. I'm in Wisconsin in a major city and graduated in Dec with my ADN and have several interviews this week and next week in two different hospital systems. My NCLEX is scheduled for two weeks from now, my school was a little slow on sending information to the state with Christmas and New Year's. Most of my class is interviewing or hired already.

Some places are still paying for RN-BSN completion so I am hoping for that otherwise I'll go back on my own in a year.

hospiRN · Jan 29, 2014

Yep depends on location. I am in SC and have found it easy to get interviews and job offers. However, my friend whom lives in FL has found it to be incredibly difficult.

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Jan 29, 2014

I live in TN and have NEVER had a problem finding a job, nor have any of the jobs I have gotten ever said BSN preferred. They all say "RN" and that's what I am! Currently doing case management for insurance company, so don't listen to people that say you can't get the "cushy" jobs like that either. I have even been called to interview for a DON position.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 29, 2014

I live in TN and have NEVER had a problem finding a job nor have any of the jobs I have gotten ever said BSN preferred. They all say "RN" and that's what I am! Currently doing case management for insurance company, so don't listen to people that say you can't get the "cushy" jobs like that either. I have even been called to interview for a DON position.[/quote']
This is a new grad question, not an experienced rn seeking work. The op may have trouble landing a new grad job without a bsn.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Jan 29, 2014

definitly depends on geographic location, metropolitan vs rural.....

melizerd, ASN, RN · Jan 29, 2014

This is a new grad question, not an experienced rn seeking work. The op may have trouble landing a new grad job without a bsn.

Since we don't have any info on the OPs location it's hard to determine. Like I mentioned I'm in a major metro area in Wisconsin and we are hiring ADN new grads.

K9LVNRN · Feb 1, 2014

Get your BSN if you can :)

Palliative Care, DNP · Feb 3, 2014

In my area you will be working LTC or something like that. All local hospitals want BSN and current employees have been given deadlines to get it.