BScN degree vs Practical Nusing diploma (need advice please..)

[future_RPN]

Hi everyone, I'm a senior in high school (grade 12) and I want to get into nursing. I can either get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (4 years at a university) or a Practical Nursing diploma (2 year program at a college). I was told however, that BScN is your best bet if you want greater employment possibilities, etc..

The problem now is that my marks are not high enough to get into a 4 year BScN program in a university here in Ontario (I'm Canadian). But they can get me into a Practical Nursing program in college however. So should I just come back to high school for an extra semester, upgrade my marks and directly apply to a BScN program? What do you guys/girls suggest?

Thanks for any constructive input!! :)

Edit: forgot to mention, I am taking Biology, Chemistry and Physics and Math this year and physics and math subjects are what brought my marks down so I will have to upgrade these. I am doing really good in Bio though, it's one of my highest marks.

[future_RPN]

Any suggestions at all?

[mannajill]

Not sure what you mean by going back to hs for a semester to raise grades. We would not have that option where I live. Once you graduate hs, you're done and must move on to college level.

As for differences between 2yr practical degrees and 4yr bachelors degrees, it all depends on what you see in your future as a nurse. If you plan to stay in the direct field of actual nursing duties, a 2 yr is all you need. The reason many students opt to get a 4yr degree is so that they can advance into management or transition to other advanced fields such as nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or other specialties.

Four yr degrees make more money and it may be easier to find a job. Two yr degrees dont take as long and cost less.

Hope that helps give you some direction.

My opinion: if you can afford to be a student for 4+ years, I'd go for the 4 yr. I am getting my 2 yr b/c I am a middle-aged mom with 3 children and need to get to work asap!

[mannajill]

Addition:

If you think you might like to expand beyond basic nursing and have the option of increasing your grade points, I'd go back, get better grades, then get a 4 yr degree.

2 yr degree is the fast track. You could always get the faster degree, then go back to school and transition to the 4 yr later if you decide you want to advance. To me, that's kind of having your cake and eating it too!!

[future_RPN]

Hi, thanks for the reply! that really helps. I can definately afford to go back for an extra semester and upgrade my marks. I turned 17 two weeks ago so I won't even be that old if I do an extra semester of high school and then go straight to a 4yr BScN program at university. I think I'll end up doing that, I like having the option to specialize in certain nursing fields.