Lydia Said:

Is it worth getting a bachelor degree in registered nursing vs associates?

We Answered:

As far as getting hired:

That's really hard to answer........there are a lot of variables in the mix. For example, an ASN that worked as a patient care tech and/or student nurse extern in the same unit she/he is applying to work as a grad nurse/new RN is more likely to be hired than a BSN that was not employed there.

Of course, a BSN with experience in a certain area of nursing is more likely to be hired than an ASN with no experience, but it's likely a toss-up if the ASN was already employed in the same hospital as an RN in a different area: for example, an ASN with Critical Care experience that is currently employed in ABC hospital applies for a transfer to ABC hospital's Emergency Department. while a BSN that's worked at "St. So-and-So hospital's ED applies for the same position. Some hospital systems will always hire from within first if there is a candidate that can reasonably fill the job description.

It's hard to tell who will be more likely to get it, if you are going on degree credentials alone. You may have a great ASN with experience who interviews poorly and a new BSN that interviews well, so the BSN is hired because he/she is more likable......

Also, if the unit at the hospital has had a lot of BSN's jockeying for management and clinical education positions in the past when they really need bedside nurses, they may be more inclined to hire the ASN because they know she/he isn't going to leave in a year when a supervisor position opens up.

I know this really doesn't give you direction one way or another, but having been an RN for 15 years in the hospital setting, I do know that it all depends on what the facility or specific unit is looking for and it's not something you can generalize over when it comes to a position of direct patient care.





As far as getting paid more:

If you are hired for the same position and you have the same level of experience as the RN with an Associates, you are likely to make about 50 cents to $2 an hour....depending on what area of the country you are in and the facility itself.

That's really not that much, but having the BSN will allow you an easier move into basic management (clinical manager of a certain shift) or the unit's clinical education position, instead of staying "at the bedside".

An RN is an RN.....over half of my colleagues in OB are have the BSN and they are doing bedside nursing and could care less about moving into management. These days, a Masters is what is needed for middle-to-upper level management in nursing.

Antonio Said:

I'm a 51 year old former Registered Nurse with a suspended nursing license. I self-reported a pill addiction,?

We Answered:

It takes guts and honesty to self-report, and i think you are great for doing this. Realizing you had a problem is the first step to fixing it. It's certainly not hard to get addicted to pills. Congratulations on doing this and being clean for this period of time!

I think you might begin by 1st deciding if you want to stay in nursing or not. If you do, you may want to consider re-enrolling in the contract that you mention, and completing the time in restriction, even if you are not working as an RN. This way, your record WOULD eventually be cleared, and you could get back on track after a year. Yes, it's difficult, and there is the cost of the drug screens, but once that is over, you are finished with it. You have completed your legal debt, and can start fresh.

Long range, having gone thru this difficult learning experience, you can be a role model for others, and perhaps encourage someone else in their addiction to get help. Often those who have struggled and conquered a problem make the best counselors.

If you do not want to stay in nursing -- ie., it's not a "calling" for you -- then you might want to consider your other Bachelor degree, & areas of skills and expertise, and then consult with a job marketing agent. Take aptitude tests, and see what is recommended.

Here are some websites that discuss finding a career counselor / job coach:

http://www.aarp.org/money/careers/choose…

http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2006/04/08/…

Other than health care, there are high paying jobs in various fields. Perhaps retraining in one of these might interest you:

http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview5.asp?…

I hope this helps! Good luck on your career search!

kathy, MSN, RN
RN with Master's in Nursing in Health Promotion and Education;
Also former University Nursing Professor; sat on Admissions Committee