Degree vs Diploma?

Altra, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2008

If you are talking about an RN diploma there is no difference in entry-level qualifications. New nurses who pass NCLEX-RN and meet their state's requirements for licensure are all registered nurses.

Some employers prefer, and a small number require, a bachelor's degree.

emmy27 · Oct 31, 2008

A diploma is what you earn if you go through a "diploma program", which are attached to/run by a hospital. When you graduate you are qualified to sit for the NCLEX and receive your license, but you receive no actual degree.

A degree program is a two-year, four-year, or grad program at a college or university.

In either case, you will be prepared for the licensing exam and positions in entry-level nursing. However, in a diploma program it's unlikely that credit will transfer to another institution if you need to leave that program before graduation, and you will not have a college degree.

The vast majority of nursing students today are in degree programs, but diploma programs have a long history in nursing (once upon a time most nurses were diploma-prepared rather than degreed) and also turn out well-prepared nurses.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

Diploma programs are also not necessarily much shorter than degree programs. A local diploma program is 3 years start to finish with all sciences and co-requisite courses (nutrition, psychology) included, and another one is two years but has a lot of prerequisites like the local community college's ADN program. The local diploma programs all have agreements where you can transfer to a degree program after you graduate- either an ADN or a BSN program.

kevin RN · Nov 2, 2008

Diploma programs are also not necessarily much shorter than degree programs. A local diploma program is 3 years start to finish with all sciences and co-requisite courses (nutrition, psychology) included, and another one is two years but has a lot of prerequisites like the local community college's ADN program. The local diploma programs all have agreements where you can transfer to a degree program after you graduate- either an ADN or a BSN program.

i agree, it all depends on what program you attend and there articular agreement with other school whe nyou graduate and want to pursue a degree of your choice!!

dreamon · Nov 20, 2008

Are diploma educated nurses getting hired along with their ADN/BSN peers?

If you go straight into a degree program after passing the NCLEX- will you still be considered a new grad nurse?

rn/writer, RN · Nov 20, 2008

Are diploma educated nurses getting hired along with their ADN/BSN peers?
If you go straight into a degree program after passing the NCLEX- will you still be considered a new grad nurse?

Yes and yes (sort of).

Diploma nurses are considered RNs just like their ADN/BSN peers. They often have more clinical time than their BSN counterparts and recruiters find them just as desireable, if not more so, than degreed nurses.

You're a new grad (a GN or graduate nurse in many states) until you pass NCLEX. After that you're a new nurse. Some may still call you a new grad, but you're really a full-fledged RN once you pass NCLEX.

Whether you turn around and enroll in a degree completion program the very next day or fifteen years later, you're still a nurse. You will be considered a new nurse until either you've been in nursing for about a year or until someone newer comes along. You'll be expected to go through a unit-specific orientation process even if you are going on to get your degree right away. That's how you learn the particulars of the specialty you have chosen. This will be true if you change specialties down the road, though the orientation may be shorter once you have nursing experience. The first time around you're learning nursing skills in general along with your unit's special knowledge.

Hope this helps.

psychnurseforlife · Nov 30, 2008

Hello,

I feel like there is a real unfortunate separation that exists these days between diploma and BSN nurses. I have been a nurse for 14 years and worked in critical care, home care, psychiatry, med surg, gyn. My experience even as a supervisor exists. I have a diploma. I don't feel that it is fair that my experience is not as valuble as having to have a Bachelors. I meet new graduates that seem to believe that they have a higher and more valuble level of knowlege. To me it seems sad and I speak for all nurses with diploma programs, who have worked so hard in a clinical setting for so many years and have not been given the opportunity as others with Bachelors. It is unfortunate because of the amount of hands on knowlege,contribution, and experience we have that is worth more than any Bachelors. I don't feel like spending $30,000, and two more year to obtain a Bachelors, which would be nothing more than a "REFRESHER" for me.

OK, so maybe I will end of having to do this because I won't have any choice if I need to meet the "standard level of acceptable education" required for me to obtain the jobs I want ie. management. In fact I would rather take an administrative, or leadership course or management course because I know at least I'd learn something new.

So I've said what i like to say. Peace to all!

It seems that they had abolished the diploma program from my town a few years ago, and only have BSN. This is fine except for the fact that nurses who had graduated prior from diploma were never grandfathered or given financial aid to complete to move on to a bachelors.

Altra, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2008

It seems that they had abolished the diploma program from my town a few years ago, and only have BSN. This is fine except for the fact that nurses who had graduated prior from diploma were never grandfathered or given financial aid to complete to move on to a bachelors.

RNs who wish to continue their education can apply for financial aid just like anyone else.

Do all nurses who work in the health care industry in your area graduate from this one college/university? More likely they come from at least a limited variety of backgrounds, and probably a mix of diploma RNs, ADNs, and BSNs.

psychnurseforlife · Nov 30, 2008

It is not a matter of how to get educated further! It is the notion that a diploma nurse with 14 years of experience who wrote the exact same nursing exam as a BSN nurse is made to believe that she/he is not qualified for a job. I resent that I am made to feel like i need to get a BSN which, won't teach me anything new. I know that this thread will probably upset anyone who has a BSN but personally it is a known fact that there are diploma nurses who are far more highly qualified and experienced but aren't given the same opportunity. My diploma has never stopped a manager from putting me in charge of a unit since I was 23 years old. It seems I had enough knowlege and skill to do that! So, why is it then that BSN is far more superior. I would like to challenge anyone who could convince me that I need a BSN. Not reasons that would help me advance in my profession. Rather, prove to me that a BSN will teach me anything that my diploma and experience has not already done.

thanks for listenning. :banghead:

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2008

I would like to challenge anyone who could convince me that I need a BSN.

Well, for one, the elective credits that you get along with a Bachelor's degree will expose you to new things and ways of thinking. Knowledge doesn't need a specific application to be beneficial to you at work and in your life in general.

I'm confused as to why you think that a higher degree won't teach you anything new- there are always new things to be learned and sometimes it's just a matter of approaching the class with the right attitude. Education is a good thing, and I find it hard to believe that your employer doesn't offer tuition reimbursement for continuing education.

psychnurseforlife · Nov 30, 2008

Well, for one, the elective credits that you get along with a Bachelor's degree will expose you to new things and ways of thinking. Knowledge doesn't need a specific application to be beneficial to you at work and in your life in general.
I have no problem with learning new things. I do have a problem with the idea that it has to be a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I have taken university courses in psychology, sociology, philosophy, and others. Why can't a different type of degree be just as qualifying along with my diploma?