Diploma or Degree???

[Worthy]

I think this has been discussed to death, but I thought I would throw this out to everyone here. You have been so helpful to me in the past.

After getting up the courage (from you folks, mostly!) to apply to RPN school, I was accepted. I started with a few classes last fall, and am now fully enrolled part-time in the program. Well, I love it!! I'm taking nursing theory and Sociology (which is a bore, but I need it). While I was terrified of the Theory, I really "get it" and have an A average. I'm almost at the top of my class of 50.

Of course, this success has been wonderful in encouraging me to go on. I would dearly love to be able to take advantage of the travel nursing opportunities - always wanted to live in California, even if for a short period of time! I am 33, but I feel it's not too late.

Of course, I have recently discovered RPNs do not qualify under NAFTA, so I will not legally be able to work in the US unless I get my RN. As of 2005, to be an RN in Ontario you must have a four year degree. This program is full time, with absolutely NO credit for my RPN. Not so much as one course. However, if I move back up to my hometown (Sault Ste. Marie) I would be able to attend a Michigan University while living and working on the Canadian side of the border. I would be able to live rent-free with my mom. Here is my question - I believe that I can get one years credit for my RPN at this University, which would shorten the Diploma (ADN?) to two years for me. The catch would be, I would be an RN in Michigan, but unable to be an RN in Canada! My mom thinks this is a fabulous idea, because I could work the winter months in the US under NAFTA as an RN, but come back to Canada in the summers but still be an RPN. I'm wondering if I may have difficulty switching gears like that.

Of course, I could go for the degree program at the university, but that would mean three years of school. I'll be pretty old and wrinkly by the time I'm done.

So, is the diploma being abolished in the US anytime soon, like in Ontario? Any opinions? And still, there is a part of me that questions whether I can do it. I've been successful in all of my courses so far, but they will only get tougher...and I always have the insecurity hanging over my head.

Any opinions welcome! Thank you.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

The word "diploma" has a whole different meaning in the USA but if I understand your message you want to know should you get the ADN vs. BSN degree in order to be RN in USA while working RPN in Canada. I agree with your Mom. Get the ADN and work both places. You will earn more money, get to travel, and can decide later about getting the BSN. I did that, and got BSN at age 50! So don't think you are too old. You are getting smarter, not older!!

[Worthy]

Thank you Purplemania. It's confusing - but yes - I'm asking if I should go the ADN or BSN. If I go for the ADN, I will be an RN in the US, but not Canada. If I get the BSN, I can work as an RN in both countries. Is that a little clearer? Sorry about that

Is the ADN three years? Is it being abolished any time soon? Here in Ontario, you cannot become an RN in three years any longer. You must have a four year Degree.

Thanks for the reply! That's helpful!

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

To my knowledge the ADN programs are not being abolished any time soon, although it makes sense in some ways. There is lots of resistance to requiring BSN as entry level due to nursing shortage. Get online or talk to a counselor at the school you are interested in attending. If you already have some college you will be able to do ADN in 2 yrs. The time in school depends on what you already have acquired plus the amount of time you can put into it now (full time versus part-time). If you don't have any college credit you might as well bite the bullet and get a 4 yr degree. This makes you VALUABLE on both sides of the border and you would always have work. I still think a counselor ought to be able to give you definite time-table to help make a decision. Good luck.

[Worthy]

Thanks Purplemania!

I am going to meet with the University in a month or so, but today I did some digging (hard from this side of the border, and an 8 hour drive from the University of my choice) and found out that what I am contemplating is a three year Bachelor Degree. Does that sound right? They do not have an ADN at this particular University. They also have a Practical Nursing Certificate - but it is only a one year course! This was a shock to me, because when I am done I will have a two year (full-time) RPN Diploma with a much larger course load (which I'm hoping will exempt me from some of the RN courses).

They had no problem abolishing the three year diploma here, even with the shortage. They are predicting that will make it worse.

Thanks for the help - I really do appreciate it.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

I DO NOT recommend the one year course. That is for a vocational nurse and it will not prepare you for travel nursing or university work. Plus, the salary is much lower than for RN's. Good luck!!

[Worthy]

Thanks. I agree.

I compared the courses in the one year RPN certificate against the two year RPN Diploma I am in now, and there is no comparison - I think the program I am in now will better prepare me for the BSN program I want to take after I am done my RPN.

I just couldn't believe that a course with practically the same name as the one I'm in now was so short! I hope that when I tell my future classmates in the BSN program that I am an RPN they won't think of that!!! I'm working hard for two years to get my Canadian RPN.

Again, many many thanks for your help.