Degree Vs Diploma!

[PixieThunder]

Hi all,

Was just wondering what everyone thought of the prospect of the nursing profession going completely degree led by 2010...

Do u think that the quality of bedside care will suffer?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

XB9S makes all good points:up: The one thing I would disagree with is the fact that try as they may some people just can't cope with uni! this means a whole pool of potentially good basic nurses being wasted. I note in the US they have LPN's am I right in thinking this is a two year course which is possibly similar to our old EN course? I have worked with many good EN's who were happy to work on the floor,had no desire to be management and just wanted to care for patients ,isn't that what we all want?

I agree entirely with the evidence based practice it puts patient care into perspective and makes sense of treatments/drugs etc. I spend a lot of time trying to check out different problems/diseases/drugs so that I can look after my residents the best way I can and can sometimes pass on what I've learned so that other nurses can see that

Resident A is not just "doing that" (a phrase I hate) but that there is a reason for it and ,possibly, a treatment. As previously stated in another post I did not have the opportunity to go to uni,so it is sometimes hard to do research without that foundation but it is amazing how much you can teach yourself!!

yes the US LPN are similar to the UK EN (I was one and proud but lucky to convert) There are many good people who would not make the grade to be a RN but would be ideal as EN but no the governing body decided to stop the training but suddendly started encouraging HCA's to do some of the jobs and apart from medication can be trained to do a lot of things but they are not paid like EN's and the RN hasn't got the support like EN's can give.Don't even think HCA's are recognised properly which is a shame for them

Just my opinion

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

XB9S makes all good points:up: The one thing I would disagree with is the fact that try as they may some people just can't cope with uni! this means a whole pool of potentially good basic nurses being wasted.

I don't disagree with this, I do have concerns that some very good practical nurses are not academically minded

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

XB9S makes all good points:up: The one thing I would disagree with is the fact that try as they may some people just can't cope with uni! this means a whole pool of potentially good basic nurses being wasted. I note in the US they have LPN's am I right in thinking this is a two year course which is possibly similar to our old EN course? I have worked with many good EN's who were happy to work on the floor,had no desire to be management and just wanted to care for patients ,isn't that what we all want?

I agree entirely with the evidence based practice it puts patient care into perspective and makes sense of treatments/drugs etc. I spend a lot of time trying to check out different problems/diseases/drugs so that I can look after my residents the best way I can and can sometimes pass on what I've learned so that other nurses can see that

Resident A is not just "doing that" (a phrase I hate) but that there is a reason for it and ,possibly, a treatment. As previously stated in another post I did not have the opportunity to go to uni,so it is sometimes hard to do research without that foundation but it is amazing how much you can teach yourself!!

LPN's do a one year training and RN's 2-3 years depending on their course

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

I've had many a traditionally trained nurse tell me that my training lacks in comparison to theirs, this debate tends to feature in letters to the nursing times/standard.

All i can work with is the training I'm getting, and get the most out of it.I get stuck in, work hard, try to increase my knowledge of that area by observation, participation, using clinical area staff as resources after i've done some reading, and i don't expect to be spoon fed . have had an issue with a fellow student who said she found tolieting/changing patients embarrassing, and thats why she wanted to work community.

i find some academic assessment diffficult, it may be age or dyslexia but i can find unpicking essays to know what they want the hardest. However academics has taught me to go behind whats happening to patients and understand why and what I'm doing ie EBP.

i love working with ENs and have worked with RN who either started off as pupil nurses qualified and later converted. or students who failed the rgn exam, sat the EN exam and were able to work as a nurse, later converting and have met them as ward mangers. not an option open to students today.

[uk_nurse]

i just want to say i was in the last group to do the project 2000 and i did the diploma. I consider myself to be a good nurse, evidenced based and practically. I have now furthered my career and done degrees. i think if you have completed the course and your interested in nursing and its the profession you really want then u can be a excellent nurse, despite whether ur diploma or degree.

i know many people who do the diploma because of financial reasons, so they can get a bursery as you dont get this if you do a degree.

There are good and bad workers in all professions, despite qualifications.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

There are good and bad workers in all professions, despite qualifications.

very true