??? regarding diploma programs

Nursing Students General Students

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Yikes---my first post. :cool:

I am hoping to be a second career RN. Middle aged male, already have an AAS and a BA, both in non-nursing subjects. There is one diploma, one ADN, and three BSN programs nearby. Since I already have a college degree, I am seriously considering the diploma program. I have heard that diploma educated nurses typically come out of school with great clinical skills. I suppose that this is because they spend all their time studying nursing rather than general education subjects. My main concern is that this school seems to be very...uhhh..."traditional." In the information packet I received, all the nurses were wearing white uniforms and caps. According to the student body profile, less than 2% of their students have been male. Finally, this school has been in existance since Florence Nightengale was a candy striper. I'm concerned that, in spite of what their equal opportunity statement may say, as a practical matter, they may not be very welcoming to a 40 something male.

Anyone on here have any recent experience with diploma programs? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

While I understand your reasoning for choosing a diploma school, please know that Associate degree programs are often known to produce nurses with superior clinical skills. The core classes of Associate programs are nursing related and not "gen ed." Being a guy in nursing school can be difficult anyway so why make it more difficult by going to a "traditional" school?

Z

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

"less than 2% of their students have been male."

NOT a good sign.

If you are set on becoming a nurse, you might also check out BSN "fast track" programs, where those with degrees can earn a BSN in 4 semesters (after they have passed pre-requisites)--which is about the same amount of time it would take for an ADN.

Since you already have a degree in a non-nursing field, have you checked out what courses would be transferred in as far as general ed courses for a BSN program? The diploma school doesn't sound very promising (but the statistics show that, until recently, there weren't many males in the field anyway).

Check out all of your options. Go to the different schools and talk to staff and students and form your opinion from there. I never counted very much on literature. It is made for PR purposes to bring students in. What you read and what you get are often at totally different ends of the spectrum!!

Good luck in whatever you decide!

We have one guy in our program of 40...so that's 2.5%.

I also am in an ADN program and have tons of clinical experience. You will get that with a diploma also. I only know about the university in my town, so I really can't comment on the BSN route. If you have all of these degrees, you should be able to transfer a lot of credits...depending on how old they are.

You will be prepared to be a wonderful RN no matter what route you decide. Check out all of the programs, talk to others who have gone that route. Find out tuition, NCLEX pass rates, etc...

Kristy

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I am in a diploma program, and I can tell you that you would be welcome with open arms. We only have one male in my class...He is in his 30s. But nursing is female dominated, so I think you have to expect that you will be far outnumbered no matter where you go to school.

Look at your options and make the choice that is best for you. I don't think you can generalize that diploma programs are better or worse, it all boils down to what fits in with your plan. I have a BA already, but still didn't have the time it would have taken for the BSN programs offered here--their requirements were totally different from what I had taken in school already. And the ADN program here doesn't have the reputation the school I chose has.

Financial aid also played a big part of my decision making. Don't just pick by degree or whatever. Look at the big picture and make the choice that is best for you.

:p Hey! Caveman

I am in my second semester and in an ADN program. My school has the best reputation out of all the schools here in San Antonio and there are 4 other nursing schools. We spend 2 days a week in clinical and 2 days a week in class. Sometimes our classes are acually in a lab were we practice and test on skills before we practice on patients. Everything do is applied to clinical. Plus I have heard that some states will not except a diploma and then you would have to go back to school again. Of course this only applies if you happen to move. So it might be worth it to check into the ADN program.

So far as you being a male, there are like 38-40 people in my theory class and 1/3 of my class consists of males. There ages run from 19 to 45 years of age. Last semester there were two men in my theory class that were over the age of 50. One of those men became a good friend of mine and he to was starting a new career. He also was taking care of his wife who had a chronic and debilitating illness. So do not feel as if you are alone. You can do have anything you want. You just have to want it enough.

I also read or heard somewhere that unless we can get more men interested in the field of nursing, we will continue to have a shortage of nurses. So I say welcome aboard and we look forward to seeing more men in the profession.

I Know God Will Not Give Me More Than I Can Handle. I Just Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much. _ Mother Theresa
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I have *NEVER* heard that diploma nurses are not allowed to practice in any state. I would think that any state that eliminated diploma nurses would also eliminate ADN also. Diploma nurses typically have a longer program than ADN nurses. They have to pass the same NCLEX exam. Unless you have proof they are not able to practice somewhere, then please do not spread this misinformation.

:( Look there is no need to be hostile about this. I am simply stating what I have heard and I got confirmation of this from several of my instructors are practicing nurses as well instructors. And yes there also states that will not except the ADN degree as well, but that is changing because of the shortage of nurses. So seeing how my information was confirmed by my instructors, I wouldn't call it miss information.OK! I am not trying to step on anyones toes.

:(

I Know God Will Not Give Me More Than I Can Handle. I Just Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much. _Mother Theresa

P.S. I also know for a fact that the military will not give you a commision as a nurse unless you have a BSN. :p

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Ok, I don't think military is the issue here because the person who asked the original question is over the age limit for military nursing anyway.

So, I go back to the original thing I saw as a question--you are stating as a fact that "some states don't accept diploma nurses" when you have no way to back it up. I personally don't accept "my instructor said so" because your instructor could be wrong. If it's true, there should be a state board of nursing website that says this. I haven't been able to find one.

Sorry if you thought I was being *hostile*. I was pointing out that there was no verification of things stated in the post, and you still haven't been able to verify those things.

Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

All states accept the ADN degree & the diploma...........an RN is an RN. However, not all states are reciprocal---meaning that if you move to another state that does not accept your current license, then you have to sit for their nursing board exam....doesn't matter what route you took to become an RN. In fact, I think there are only about 14 states that are reciprocal.

I have heard that if there wasn't a nursing shortage, that they would be phasing out the diploma programs only because nursing is a "profession" & to be considered a profession, a college degree is required. I'm sure it's the same for ADN also. Some say that in order for nursing to be respected, a bachelor's degree is the only way to get a formal education. However, since they are in dire need of nurses, I don't think either program is going anywhere for awhile.

Dear memphispanda,

Sigh, there is some truth in the Diploma, ADN nurse statement. North Dakota only allows BSN nurses to practice as RNs. They do have LPNs as well but I do not know the education requirement for LPNs.

With that said, I just want to let you know that I am glad that both you and others are studying to become nurses. We need more nurses period! So good luck in your studies.

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