| Posted By |
Message |
Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
|
Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
Do employers look at prospective employees differently if they have a 2 year vs a 4 year nursing degree? I'm thinking of going back to school for nursing but don't know which route to take. Pros? Cons? Would love to hear advice/input from those who are in the field. TIA!
Message edited 2/3/2011 11:42:33 PM.
|
Posted 2/3/11 11:41 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
RubyWoo
Complete.
Member since 1/11 1357 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
I'm not a nurse, but one of my good friends is. She was initially going to get her Bachelor's Degree but then wound up getting her Associates Degree b/c the pay difference between having her Associates and Bachelor's Degree was nominal (a few hundred dollars). She didn't think the additional 2 years of school would be worth it. Good luck to you, whatever you decide 
|
| Posted 2/4/11 12:03 PM |
| |
|
lulugrrl
My 3 Blessings
Member since 3/06 6551 total posts
Name:
L
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
It is better to get a Bachelors if you have a choice in this job market. If you have an assoiates, they often require 1 year critical care experience and want you to go back for Bachelor in certain amount of time. They will waive the one year experience if you already have Bachelor...So if you have a choice , go for Bachelor.
I am in the nursing program now, obviously all jobs are different, but this is the trend I am hearing from friends out and about trying to find jobs now and mainly applies to hospital jobs. I am in an associate program because it allowed the flexibility I needed to work and have a family, but once I am done, I plan to continue on for my BSN online.
GOOD LUCK, if you have any questions, let me know.
|
| Posted 2/4/11 4:42 PM |
| |
|
lilacwine
only love...
Member since 5/05 2034 total posts
Name:
<3
|
Re:
Message edited 6/2/2012 11:03:36 PM.
|
| Posted 2/4/11 9:45 PM |
| |
|
kabr13
LIF Toddler
Member since 2/09 470 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
If you plan on working in a hospital many hospitals are now only hiring BSN's. I'm not an RN but work in healthcare, I definitely find that BSN over associate is the way to go.
|
| Posted 2/5/11 5:30 PM |
| |
|
smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
I have been looking to go into that field. Still trying to decide.
I say go for the bachelor degree. I keep hearing that due to the high demand, they are pushing for the program to be a bachelor degree and no longer an associate degree.
|
| Posted 2/5/11 6:11 PM |
| |
|
imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
The job market now for RN's isn't good and the hospitals are using this to their advantage.
Most places are only hiring BSN for new graduates, if they are hiring new grads at all.
If I was a student now, I would be going for your bachelors degree.
|
| Posted 2/8/11 10:52 PM |
| |
|
imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
Posted by RubyWoo
I'm not a nurse, but one of my good friends is. She was initially going to get her Bachelor's Degree but then wound up getting her Associates Degree b/c the pay difference between having her Associates and Bachelor's Degree was nominal (a few hundred dollars). She didn't think the additional 2 years of school would be worth it. Good luck to you, whatever you decide
This was true when I graduated, but this is no longer the case. You need the BSN to get your foot in the door as a new grad with the current market.
|
| Posted 2/8/11 10:53 PM |
| |
|
Argyle808
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/11 446 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
Just curious, but wouldn't getting the associates and then continuing on for the BSN be a good option?
I'm not in the field, I am only asking bc once you earn that 2 yr. degree no one can take that away from you. A lot can happen in 4 yrs., especially as adults with other responsibilities, that might make it more difficult to complete the bachelor's.
|
| Posted 2/9/11 8:58 AM |
| |
|
imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
Posted by Argyle808
Just curious, but wouldn't getting the associates and then continuing on for the BSN be a good option?
I'm not in the field, I am only asking bc once you earn that 2 yr. degree no one can take that away from you. A lot can happen in 4 yrs., especially as adults with other responsibilities, that might make it more difficult to complete the bachelor's.
This is what most of my coworkers are doing who have associates degrees. It makes more sense to do it that way if you are already working, especially since most of the time the employers will pay for you to get the BSN.
The problem is, its difficult to get your foot into the door (as a new grad) with an associates degree these days, especially in hospitals, but I don't think its impossible. Some hospitals hire summer interns/externs who are senior nursing students that basically work as CNA's over the summer. Its hard work and I'm sure it pays crap, but its a great way to get yourself noticed and if they like you, you will have a job when you graduate.
The market can change again in the amount of time it would take someone to finish a program if they start now. It goes in waves, they aren't hiring now, but in 2-3 years who knows, they could be scrambling to hire nurses again.
None of us really understand why they aren't hiring nurses. It's not like there is a patient shortage 
The hospitals are just trying to save $ and IMO, cutting nurses or refusing to hire adequate staffing is dangerous.
Message edited 2/9/2011 9:47:38 AM.
|
| Posted 2/9/11 9:42 AM |
| |
|
lulugrrl
My 3 Blessings
Member since 3/06 6551 total posts
Name:
L
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
Posted by Argyle808
Just curious, but wouldn't getting the associates and then continuing on for the BSN be a good option?
I'm not in the field, I am only asking bc once you earn that 2 yr. degree no one can take that away from you. A lot can happen in 4 yrs., especially as adults with other responsibilities, that might make it more difficult to complete the bachelor's.
This is what I chose to do, only because I have a job that I am very satisfied now, so it doesn't really matter how long it takes me to get a job. At least I'll have the associates, and hopefully my RN license, and can get my BSN at my leisure.
If I had another way to work around my life and schedule though, I def. would have applied to go for the 4 year degreeout of the gate.
Also, if you already have a bachelors..the one year accelerated program gives you a BSN in one year.
|
| Posted 2/10/11 9:54 AM |
| |
|
mcd01
Life is good : )
Member since 3/09 1932 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
there are so many oppotunities within the hospital if u have your bsn vs. and associates degree i would go for the bsn
i work in anesthesia and with the bsn your opportunities are endless.
|
| Posted 2/11/11 7:51 AM |
| |
|
Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
Everyone I've spoken to agrees that having the bachelor's is the way to go. Lots of hospitals won't even hire you if you just have an associates.
|
| Posted 2/12/11 9:53 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Nursing Degrees: Associates vs. Bachelors?
I'm sure MI is different then NY, but my advice would be do the ADN, work at a clinic or nursing home, and work for the BSN. This gives you a chance to make decent money as a RN and cont. with school. MI is starting to push for teh BSN, but here it is more for managment or supervisor jobs. The experience in healthcare is a big one here.
|
| Posted 2/13/11 7:14 PM |
| |
|
