Rachel
Do most hospitals only hire nurses with a bachelors, or are associates degrees accepted also?
I have heard that in the contiguous US, it is really hard to get a job as a nurse with only an associates degree in that field. #college #nurse #healthcare #career-counseling #health #hospital #bachelors-degree #associates-degree
3 answers
Seth Daniel Bernstein
Seth Daniel’s Answer
As a former Associate Dean in a Nursing program, I can definitively recommend the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as the most desirable undergraduate degree for a Nursing career. Increasingly, healthcare is moving toward hiring more and more new graduates with the BSN degree. The BSN and potentially the MSN will be necessary for most upward career moves in the field of Nursing.
That said, it is still possible to get a Nursing job after passing your state boards with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or even by being a "diploma nurse" which is informal slang for a Nurse who has taken all the educational requirements to be a Nurse and passed their Boards without an academic degree. However, significant experience in Nursing including certifications in various Nursing specialties could be necessary to hire a non-BSN Nurse in today's market.
HOWEVER, opportunities for new grad programs in Nursing are becoming increasingly limited for those with without the BSN, so please pursue the BSN if at all possible.
Mike Carrillo, M.S. MPC
Mike’s Answer
No. In California, there are many Associate degree programs that prepare you for the Board exam.
Many of the hospitals hire recent graduates without a BSN, (County USC in Los Angeles).
The BSN would be nice, but hospitals hire AA grads as well.
Strive for the BSN as it makes yourself more marketable for other positions in the hospital as well.
While studying, you can work in the field with your AA and nursing license.
Most nurses work 3 day 12 hour shifts.
I have two family members who graduated with just an AA and are registered nurses.
Every extra year of school always helps.
Belinda Nicely
Belinda’s Answer
I am a nurse with 30 years experience and only have my A.S. degree in nursing and have held many supervisory positions in my career. Sometimes experience is the best teacher. With that said, I don't want to discourage you from getting your BSN degree. As stated in the other answers, you can do more with a BSN than you can with an A.S degree and the pay would be a little different, but don't let that be the deciding factor. I don't know the requirements at hospitals in Alaska but I would research this prior to deciding which degree to obtain, especially if you plan on living there after graduation. Some area hospitals that are here in Tennessee are only hiring BSN nurses. Do some research in whichever state you plan on living in for sure. You can always get your A.S degree and if you decide you want to go back and get your BSN or even a Masters degree, then go for it. Let the sky be the limit.