Is it hard to get a job as RN in Chicago Area? I need advice..

[jungjh0101]

I want to get an associate degree in nursing at a community college, and become a RN.
However, I heard that it is hard to get a job as RN because a lot of hospitals are looking for BSN.
In Chicago (including surburbs), is it hard to find jobs as RN?
I will be graduating college with BS in biology next month.
However, with only biology degree it is hard to find a job.
Even if I find one, the pay is just not where I expected it to be.
I want to become a RN, but I'm not sure if I will be able to find a job after
I get my associate degree in nursing.
Since I will get bachelors degree soon, people say I'm going "backwards."
I don't think my GPA is competitive enough to get directly into nursing program (BSN).
Also, since I got my first bachelors degree, I would not be eligible for financial aid.
I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to find a job even after getting RN license.
I really need help on my career planning.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You!

[hppygr8ful]

I don't know much about the job market in the Chicago area but here in California things are finally looking up. The economy hurt new nurses badly for two reasons. Many older nurses nearing retirement kept working to re-coop the losses to their retirement plans, secondly budget cuts (From medicare and medicaid reinbursments) have caused hospitals to cut back on New Grad programs.

Finding a job as a new grad depends a lot on your own tenacity. It won't just fall into your lap. Still with a BS in Biology you may beable to simply take the core requirements and get a BSN. Also take you BS in Biology and check out the big hospital's at the medical schools. They also need research assistants. The pay may not be what you like but right now any job is better than no job. Trust me........ This too shall pass.

Hppy