degree vs diploma?

[mercynurse]

I originally went to a diploma program...about 27 years ago!
@ that time they were saying that they were thinking of making BSN and AD nurses "professional" whereas the diploma grads would be...I think they said nonprofessinal. However, they were going to "grandfather" the diploma grads who had "X" amount of experience into the professional level. Nothing ever came of this.

Are there diploma programs out there? The hospitals I know of that have programs are through a college so they are AD or BSN programs.

[Dixiedi]

I noticed this is a pretty old post and my reply may not even be seen, but here goes.
A little over 30 years ago, when I was in LPN school, there was talk of creating the Professional Nurse and the Technical nurse.
The PN would be the diploma and BSN nurses and the TN would be the AD and LPN nurses.
Quite a bit different from what your area was talking about.

[wannanurse]

I'm looking for some advice from an actual nurses instead of school counselors.

I am currently in school with the hopes (and dreams) of being an RN. I'm not sure which direction will help me in the long run. I'm attending a community college in San Diego (still taking pre-recs) and I need to decided if I'm going to take the RN program they offer here or transfer to a four year college. The structure of my classes depends on this decision. This seemed like a good place to go with this type of question. Thank you!

[nursinghumor]

It's a question of your time and money which to go for.

A BSN will take longer, cost more, and won't necessarily get you paid more as a starting nurse. Hospitals, Nursing Homes and other facilities typically will not pay you more than a diploma or Associates Degree nurse.

It will open up other career options not available to nondegreed nurses.

It is historically, more difficult to go back to school after you are working in the field.

Keeping that in mind, I'd say go as far as you can now, complete your education then enter the field.

If money is an issue and you want to start working as soon as possible, I'd go for the diploma program and think about going back at a later date.

Hope that helps,

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[Jacquesong]

Hi,

I am a diploma graduate nurse. I've been a nurse for six years and feel that I made the right decision to do the diploma program. The diploma program is very hands on and your clinical experiences correlate with the theory you learn in class. I know a lot of nurses who did the four year program who's clinical experience was limited. Does that make me a better nurse no....that can only be based individually, but I feel I was more comfortable and confident to work in the clninical setting.....don't go for additional education? ....no I'm not saying that, if you see yourself in a managerial/supervisory role you need to have at least a BSN if not a MSN. I plan to go back to school soon, but right now I'm enjoying learning nursing. I've done telemetry, vents, surgical icu, home care, and even wellness clinics. I would love to be well rounded when I become someone's manager with experience.....not just with some letters behind my name with no clue!

[nursinghumor]

I agree, my program was an AAS Diploma program and for me it was the right choice. I wanted to go into nursing, already had a degree and didn't want to spend the time/money needed to get a BSN.

I've got no regrets, I got into the field quickly and started working/earning. Could I go back, sure. Will I? We'll have to see.

If I do go back, it sure won't be for the extra money I'll make having a BSN or MSN.

In Nursing Schools, a new graduate will make as much, or more than their Nursing instructors their first year out of school.

Makes you wonder why a MSN is required for most teaching spots. You'd think they were making a lot more than their students, it just isn't the case.

It's a shame, I think teachers should get paid more.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[pbbh]

I am a Diploma Nursing Grad. I have since gone on to obtain my BS as well as a second degree in education. I chose to pursue a diploma program because I felt that it provided the best clinical education and would best prepare me for patient care. Although I have no regrets in that respect, I do believe that it is time for all nurses to unite for the benefit of our profession and acknowledge that it is time to develop a new model for nursing education. We need to have a minimum of a BS degree to legitimize our profession. We also know the vast body of knowledge that must be mastered from a clinical perspective to be truly competent.Acknowledge the facts, BSN programs lack nursing practice and Diploma and ADN programs lack liberal arts. We need a program that addresses the deficiencies in all programs. We need to go the route of Physical Therapy, and Pharmacy and make Registered Nursing a 5 or 6 year Masters program.

[BSN2MSN]

In the last year of my BSN program I did 3-12 hour clinical rotations each week in acute care (cardiac critical care). I spent 8 hours each week working in a free clinic (public health nursing), I spent 8 hours each week speaking with public officials, gathering and analyzing data, participating in research, and coordinating nursing events. The rest of my week was spent in class, writing reports and papers, preparing presentations, and studying for my NCLEX. When I had time, I was a single mother to four children. When deciding your path in life, do not seek out advice from those who will never reach beyond that which is easy or immediately available to them. The only people I see bashing BSN programs are those who could never make it through a BSN program. My university took 48 students, out of 1,000 applicants. My graduating class had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX, and no physician has ever mistaken me for an ADN. After reading some of these posts, I am so proud that I chose an education over technical training.

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by BSN2MSN

In the last year of my BSN program I did 3-12 hour clinical rotations each week in acute care (cardiac critical care). I spent 8 hours each week working in a free clinic (public health nursing), I spent 8 hours each week speaking with public officials, gathering and analyzing data, participating in research, and coordinating nursing events. The rest of my week was spent in class, writing reports and papers, preparing presentations, and studying for my NCLEX. When I had time, I was a single mother to four children. When deciding your path in life, do not seek out advice from those who will never reach beyond that which is easy or immediately available to them. The only people I see bashing BSN programs are those who could never make it through a BSN program. My university took 48 students, out of 1,000 applicants. My graduating class had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX, and no physician has ever mistaken me for an ADN. After reading some of these posts, I am so proud that I chose an education over technical training.

:whatever:






























BTW, I have an AAS in Surgical Technology, AAS in Nursing [ADN], as well as BSN. However, your attitude towards ADNs I don't appreciate at all. My wife is a darn good ADN!!!

[Skipper_RN]

Originally Posted by pbbh

I am a Diploma Nursing Grad. I have since gone on to obtain my BS as well as a second degree in education. I chose to pursue a diploma program because I felt that it provided the best clinical education and would best prepare me for patient care. Although I have no regrets in that respect, I do believe that it is time for all nurses to unite for the benefit of our profession and acknowledge that it is time to develop a new model for nursing education. We need to have a minimum of a BS degree to legitimize our profession. We also know the vast body of knowledge that must be mastered from a clinical perspective to be truly competent.Acknowledge the facts, BSN programs lack nursing practice and Diploma and ADN programs lack liberal arts. We need a program that addresses the deficiencies in all programs. We need to go the route of Physical Therapy, and Pharmacy and make Registered Nursing a 5 or 6 year Masters program.

I agree with you. The way it is now, it doesn't really matter whether you get a BSN or ADN/Diploma. All are lacking in one area or another. I think making it a 5 or 6 year master's program would allow for improvement in all areas. I agree it would legitimize our profession. We would get more respect from physicians and other healthcare practitioners. Of course, I must confess, I am sort of crazy and definitely plan to get my doctorate in nursing as soon as finances allow.