diploma grads

elkpark · Jul 25, 2004

I did not have to repeat any classes to complete a BSN. My diploma program that I attended in the early '80s offered all the courses except the actual nursing classes (A&P, micro, o-chem, nutrition, psych, soc, English) through a local university, so we got "regular," transferable credits for those courses. The BSN completion program I attended offered us credit for a "portfolio" we had to prepare, documenting our previous nursing education and professional experience. I had attended college before going to nursing school, and could transfer in all the liberal arts requirements.

I took (for the BSN) community health nursing, management, some kind of "trends & issues in nursing" course, an elective in healthcare financing, and a few other things that I can't recall at the moment. It was interesting, but certainly did not make me a better nurse. I did the BSN because the graduate program(s) I wanted to attend required it for admission ...

yasmina · Jul 26, 2004

sounds like you had a great diploma program, unlike me ( as far as credit transfer)

alexillytom · Jul 30, 2004

sounds like you had a great diploma program, unlike me ( as far as credit transfer)

Hey Yasmina,

I am applying for a diploma program in Philly. I only need to complete two classes on top of their prereqs to finish with an Associates in Liberal Arts and an ADN. Luckily for me, I have already taken those two courses because they are part of the prereqs for my first choice, CC. After I am done, there is a bridge program that I can apply to through Temple that will allow me to get my Bachelor's.

yasmina · Jul 31, 2004

Hey Yasmina,
I am applying for a diploma program in Philly.
Which diploma program? Methodist?
You are fortunate. Things were not always as good. Good luck to you.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2004

Graduated...worked 5 or 6 nights on eight hour shifts, slept alot, met DH, traveled alot then had a little babino. No time for school.

But, our hospital is offering BSN thru University of Phoneix, all your classes transfer, no matter how old :) and best yet they will pay for it. It is one class per week for 5 weeks and it will take 18-20 months to get the BSN. I am thinking about it...heck it might even get me a whole $1 more an hour someday :chuckle

mattsmom81 · Aug 2, 2004

My Diploma program was trying to merge with the university and become a BSN program, so I took my AP, Micro, Chem, Englishes, etc at the local university. Really all I lack is statistics and the prereqs when I compare to a BSN today...that and I took my nursing courses at the hospital.

I have tried several times to finish my BSN but have run into multiple obstacles through the years. Mainly with BSN programs discounting my college courses, and essentially requiring repeating most of the nursing courses as well, not recognizing my experience and college credits because they were 'thru a diploma program'.

So...I tired of this money grab and gave it up. I was doing Excelsior but they kept adding more coursework so I tired of playing that game too.

They just wore me down i guess...LOL!!

yasmina · Aug 2, 2004

i have tried several times to finish my bsn but have run into multiple obstacles through the years. mainly with bsn programs discounting my college courses, and essentially requiring repeating most of the nursing courses as well, not recognizing my experience and college credits because they were 'thru a diploma program'.

so...i tired of this money grab and gave it up. i was doing excelsior but they kept adding more coursework so i tired of playing that game too.

you and i are on the same page. i went to a very difficult diploma program. then, ran into the credit thing you did. yup. it is all about the money.

i strongly feel that the educators should grandfather diploma grads in. we should not be expected to repeat courses or pay money to do challenge exams! i took pharmacology (for example) at the same school where the same teachers teach pharmacology to the bsn's.

yes, the nursing shortage involves this to a very great extent. i am 47, and know that many nurses like myself have just gotten fed up and quit nursing all together. shift work is difficult. seems most good jobs where i live that have day hours are taken (with no chance of anyone leaving them...they know they have good jobs).

i can't seem to get it through anyone's head (that is in education or that has an advanced degree), that the nursing shortage is partly due to this education issue. most nurses are older (exactly my age). i have written to the nursing spectrum (i think), it might have been advance for nurses. they don't post my writings in the magazine.

so, i don't get how the nurses that make the decisions regarding nursing education get away with demanding diploma grads take over course work and pay for challenge exams. especially with the nursing shortage now....

i know that i got a wonderful education in the field. i just think we need acknowledgement for working like zombies for three years. it was like a work/study through school for me.

and, to top it off, i tried to go back to the floors. i have been working in case management, insurance, etc. that is also a fiasco. there are very few refresher programs. i took one which was 8 days long with no clinical hands on. it was all that i could find.

i then worked for a couple of months at a teaching hospital. i was overwhelmed, and didn't feel supported by my mentor. so, i went back to insurance (which is what i didn't want).

now, i would love to go into psych drug and alchohol/ or hospice. it is hard to enter these fields without experience. everyone wants clinical experience.

i think that a lot of good nurses are being underutilized (like me). i think that nurses are grossly underpaid. why our country pays twice as much to a computer programmer is mind boggling to me. when i look at the help wanted ads, i see people with those type of degrees starting at very high salaries.

so, what have i done to furthur my education? i mostly study holistic stuff (yoga, meditation). at 47, i feel i am in a career rut. i make really great money where i work....but am not advancing....

sorry to go on a soapbox like this. it was just very good to hear from a nurse who has had similar experiences (instead of being told to just do it already and be quiet).

yasmina.:rotfl:

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Aug 2, 2004

Many moons ago, when I was graduating, they were supposed to grandfather in diplomas for BSN programs, but I am sure that got chopped off at the knees...you are right...more money! I went to the same college also and took the same classes as people going on for AD or BSN...my clinical wasn't thru them, it was thru my base hospital and my nursing classes, which many of our instructors taught at the said college in the summer, where the same.

I just don't get it. :angryfire

sherry63 · Aug 11, 2004

i know you are out there...diploma nurses....speak up about why you didn't complete your bsn or left the field. i am keeping this initial message brief, as the system didn't like my long message. please reply.

i have a bsa in business fro u of a, when i turned 38 i decided that i hate what i was doing. i have gone back to get the education i have always wanted. i am currently enrolled in a diploma rn program. i spoke with several dr. and rn friends before starting the program two years ago. they had very little to say that was positive about the university bsn program, but they all had great things to say about the graduates from har-ber. i graduate in december, i have already spoken with the medical school in little rock that handles the msn/ apn programs. they are excited in my choice of path as well. i will begin there in january of 2007 after getting one year floor experience behind me.

graduates from the diploma program here are limited only by their own wishes. several of the past graduates have gone on to get msn's. several others are the charge nurses in the er, nicu, l&d and some work in the hospital management not ony here but in hospitals as far and wide as north carolina and arizona.

believe in your dreams and there will be a way to follow them.:wink2:

mattsmom81 · Aug 11, 2004

Many of my obstacles would have been easier to scale had I finished out my BSN quickly after diploma graduation...but family commitments prevented me from finishing out.

Coursework ages and the older the credits are the easier it is for universities to discount them, I've found, and demand you 'update' with teir new improved courses.

Hostility and competition between the different educations of RN's is a much disputed topic. Universities are making $$$ off our insecurities and desire for more initials after our name, and fostering divisiveness in our ranks.

I feel if ADN and Diploma RN's were grandfathered and a BSN was mandated for all new RN's by say, 2010, we would help our profession...by uniting US. Many disagree with this but I'm ready to see SOME solidarity in this crazy profession myself...LOL!!

But...I digress and this has been discussed to death here....

yasmina · Aug 12, 2004

I feel if ADN and Diploma RN's were grandfathered and a BSN was mandated for all new RN's by say, 2010, we would help our profession...by uniting US. Many disagree with this but I'm ready to see SOME solidarity in this crazy profession myself...LOL!!

But...I digress and this has been discussed to death here....

KeniRN · Aug 12, 2004

I am a diploma grad. Grad in 2000. I had been in a BSN program but had to leave in 1993 in the middle of my junior year due to medical problems (benign spinal tumor). I wanted to finish but could not afford ($$$) to at the time. Went back in 1997, via the shortest and least expensive route. 21 month hospital based diploma program. In the beginning of my last semester, with only 4 months to go til graduation, had to take a medical leave of absence due to uterine fibroids :uhoh3: :angryfire . I had to wait until the following January (01/2000) to rejoin the clinical portion and thus, FINALLY finished in May 2000

As I have been thru both the BSN and the Diploma programs, if I had to do it all over again, I'd do the diploma route. My current employer has fantastic tuition benefits and I will be taking a Fast-Track RN to BSN program at a local university. I am not pursuing the BSN for any reason other than I always finish what I've started and of course would like a college degree. :rolleyes: