Associates Degree vs. Diploma

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I am trying to decide where I should go to school to get my RN but am having trouble getting a straight answer from any of the schools. I am 32 and already have a BS in communications. I have decided to now be a nurse instead. Eventually I plan to get my masters but for now just want to complete my RN and get to work. My options are one of 2 local community college programs--both 2 years and ending up with an AAS degree. My other option is a Diploma nursing program (through Bon Secours) which is 3 years. From looking at the programs the 3 year seems a lot more comprehensive, but what are these degrees worth?? Is a diploma better than a AAS or vice versa--or does it matter?? Is there a pay difference between the two??

HELP!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Here, let me make it even more confusing (lol). Hear me out:

have you considered a fast-track BSN??? this is a program set up for people who already have bachelor degrees in other disciplines. You say you have a goal of a master's in nursing. If so, a BSN is the way to go.

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Here, let me make it even more confusing (lol). Hear me out:

have you considered a fast-track BSN??? this is a program set up for people who already have bachelor degrees in other disciplines. You say you have a goal of a master's in nursing. If so, a BSN is the way to go.

I did check into that--and actually even the 2nd degree MSN program. The school here (MCV /VCU ) is very difficult to get into those 2 programs. They only accept 30 or so students per year. They also have an RN to MSN program for people with a BS in something else (can you believe it) they told me it's much easier to get into the program that way--and by getting my RN and working a a hospital while finishing I could probably get them to pay for part of my tuition. I also have to keep my full time job for now and go to school in the evening (until I can get that hospital job).

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Specializes in LDRP.

i agree with above poster. since you already have a bs degree, you wouldn't need to take many of the support classes that other people who have not gone to college before have, like english/math/computers/history, etc.

if you strictly have the 2 to choose from, go for the ADN. I am not sure if you can get any college credit for a diploma program (maybe you can and i just don't know, there aren't any diploma programs near me) but many ADN programs have agreements with BSN programs nearby to allow ADN college credits to transfer to that next college when you are ready for your bsn.

good luck in your decision!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

well you COULD get your ADN and go on to get an online/non traditional RN-MSN degree, too. There is more than one way to skin this ole cat.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

You want to go Masters....go there..don't bother with the ADN...and I have the ADN!

This has been debated over and over ad nauseum here...no real answers...but here is why I chose the ADN...maybe that will help...

I was unsure..others told me I would make an awesome nurse..then I got a grant by my midwifes when I gave birth..they all had faith in me and set up a fund..I was granted..how do I say no!?!?!?

SO I did it..made it a goal...but chose to go ADN instead of BSN so I could test the waters..this was rather new territory for me.. I found...guess what..I don't like it at all..but still am bound by the grant, the hopes..the goals of others so I continue. Yes I have a LARGE compassion factor..but needs training...I care TOO much...so I am learning...but that learning has changed me from a happy go lucky free spirit..and I never wanted that to change....so I gave up much!

SO what now..if I was BSN wanting my masters...one more reason to stick with something that I can't see myself doing in ten years....no, that would actually make me personally goal oriented in something I didn't really choose personally, but hold myself responsible to. I want to go..get out...but darn it...I do a good job at it really..everyone depends on me...I am stuck...and thankfully only an ADN! If it was BSN....the narrow ways out for me would be gone because of stereotypes of my own family and friends.

SO...testing waters go ADN knowing you have HAVE to get your BSN to go on...or test with the ADN...and see....depends on how much of a risk taker you are with your own career...

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

the only thing about going straight masters' is where do you get the experience in the meantime?????

And how did you know what area to get your master's in, e.g. msn, educational route, NP route, CNM route, Etc???

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I hope someone corrects me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the ADN transfer more easily into the BSN than a Diploma? I'm not sure but it seems the ADN covers more of the courses you'll need to transfer to a BSN. So I'm thinking ADN is better.

There is no difference in pay at the end because they both allow you to become RNs, so going the quickest way is best, imo. One isn't necessarily "better" than the other.

Good luck in all you do.

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Given the fact that you already have a B.S., an ADN will enable you to become an RN with the least amount of additional credits and coursework.

When I investigated these programs myself, I found the ADN to be more flexible then the "fast-track BSN" programs which often have considerable course requirements beyond nursing and science. Not only would I have to take additional nursing classes (about 24+ credits) there were also additional non-nursing courses (almost 30 credits) that I did not have in my BS but would be required to meet the general requirements for the new university awarding the BSN. Irony was that by doing the ADN first and then transferring into an ADN-BSN program, I could avoid much of these extra credits since some of these "completion" programs are very flexible, especially if one already has a bachelor's in something else.

Unfortunately or fortuantely, depending on your frame of references, I dropped out of the ADN program after one semester. My grades were great but the experience helped me to see that nursing was not where I wanted to be. Thankfully I figured this out before I invested too much time and expense in the program.....which is a very important consideration.

If I tested the waters in one of these fast-track BSN programs, I would have major debt right now compared to the rather low tuition at my ADN program.

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I hope someone corrects me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the ADN transfer more easily into the BSN than a Diploma? I'm not sure but it seems the ADN covers more of the courses you'll need to transfer to a BSN. So I'm thinking ADN is better.

There is no difference in pay at the end because they both allow you to become RNs, so going the quickest way is best, imo. One isn't necessarily "better" than the other.

Good luck in all you do.

I'm up in Canada and have a Diploma, and to my knowledge, we have more transferable classes than an Associate. However, I don't know if it's different down in the US.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I'm up in Canada and have a Diploma, and to my knowledge, we have more transferable classes than an Associate. However, I don't know if it's different down in the US.

That makes sense as the diploma program is longer. I'm not sure where I got my presumptions from.

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That makes sense as the diploma program is longer. I'm not sure where I got my presumptions from.

It might be different down there...I don't know. I need to get my butt in gear and go back to school. That I know for sure.

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