Diploma RN programs VS. ADN or BSN

[starmickey03]

Hi everyone!

I will be graduating in May with a BS in health studies and I plan on starting my nursing education immediately after. Lately I've been coming across hospital based RN diploma programs and Ive started to wonder whats the difference between those and degree granting RN programs. Ive been leaning toward the hospital based programs mostly because they all seem to have the loan forgiveness if you work at their hospital.

But given that I will be having a BS soon,would it be better for me to just get a degree in nursing opposed to a diploma or does it matter? In my situation what would you do and why? thanks!

[acubed]

Honestly, if it were my decision, I would go for the hospital diploma if they're willing to pay for it. Then work for them for a while and get them to pay for your master's if you are interested (there are online RN to MSN programs for people who have a bachelor's in other areas, so it IS possible to skip the BSN, just do a search, some will even grant the BSN along the way). Why take out loans for an expensive private school when you can get your RN plus a GUARANTEED job with the hospital diploma. Like I said, that's what I would do, you have to make your own decision, and everyone on here always has great suggestions

[blueheaven]

I am a diploma grad and darn proud of it. However, we are talking in the real world now and I say go ahead and get your BSN while you are at it and get it over with. It's very interesting to go back to school after many years and the brain cells just don't work like they used to.

Diploma grad...soon to be BSN