ADN vs Diploma

Definitely want a degree in nursing vs a diploma.

Thank you! It is such a hard decision!! St. Luke's School of Nursing in Bethlehem PA is one of the oldest nursing schools in the country, and has a wonderful reputation. It would be 20 mos straight through, and 180 clinical hours per each of 5 14 week semesters. Northampton Area Community College is well known for their ADN program too! St. Luke's has a 96% passing rate for the NCLEX. I think Northampton is 90%. Both have RN to BSN programs.

I'm not knocking the diploma program. I've always been told that they were less desirable when it came time to apply for acute care positions, specially in this economy. But as ElkPark said you want that BSN regardless.

Thank you both for your input. And, yes, I have fellow students who have graduated from both. St. Luke's would be 5, 14 week semesters straight through for 20 months. I would have 900 clinical hours. I already graduated from Northampton with an AA in General Studies. Their program is 70 credits, of which I already have 36 from Gen Ed classes; therefore, I would just be taking the nursing classes. St. Luke's Hospital is growing, and clinics are popping up all over the place. From what I understand, most get hired within 6 months. Decisions, decisions!! Thank you again!!

Just to add... Last year, I was enrolled in the BSN Program at Cedar Crest University. It was just too expensive! It was $853/credit, and about $50 thou a year. As much as I wanted to, I just could not afford it. So, I then decided to just get my ADN, and gradually work on my BSN. It's hard to digress, but so be it.

I would go with st lukes. I went to a diploma program and had no problems finding a job. I found a job within a month after graduating, at a level 1 trauma center. I was not an aide or pct prior to becoming a nurse. I'm currently enrolled in a BSN program now. Do what works best for you. Good luck!!

Thank you, nurse2b13! I think I would be more prepared!

Now I am looking at the tuition aspect. I talked to the community college, and it's only $220 a credit. St. Luke's is $22 thou total. I only need like 5 classes at Northampton. Would that money I spend on St. Luke's be better spent on getting my BSN? So much to consider... So many talk about retaking classes too. I don't know how common that is. I know a friend that graduated from Northampton, and she said about half survived. I talked to a girl that went to St. Luke's and she mentioned many dropped out, but don't remember stats. Do they drop out because of grades, or they decide they don't like it? I have A's in all my classes, but I know you are told to forget A's in nursing. Should I be concerned about having to retake classes? I hate major decisions! Luckily, I work all weekend, so I can, hopefully, relax and not think about if for a couple days. Sometimes it is better to breathe, relax, and let it come to you...

I go to a diploma school, and we have a huge advance of getting hired, because the hospital system trained us... Keep that in mind

I've always heard that diploma programs train you better in your clinical skills but for nursing to be recognized as a profession we must move away from the diploma and even ADN programs and make the minimum amount of education to become an RN a BSN.