diploma grads

[yasmina]

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.

[sherry63]

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 :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.

I have had a pretty rough go of it, I have pointed out to some of my classmates that we are making it in spite of ourselves..Ha HA..

Pregnancy, cancer, heart problems, house fires, the deaths of friends and family members are just a few of the obsticales that we have over come.

In our short time( 2 years) together we have learned more about each other than any one should have to know about another human being.

As one that is currently in the educational trenches I salute you and your achievements...

KEEP THE FAITH!!!!

[RainbowSkye]

I'm a diploma grad from 1974. I went back to school 15 years later to get a BSN. All of my courses were accepted, but I did have to take all the core classes (English, History, etc) that my diploma program didn't require. I didn't have to do too many clinicals (did have to clep them though). It actually took me about 3 years to finish.

Good luck in finishing your degree.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

got my ADN and worked full time till I got BSN (with hospital tuition reimbursement). First thought I would stop with ADN, as pay was not that much different, but decided I needed BSN in order to get off floor (health reasons). Anyway, now in MSN program and glad I have the education.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I got a BA years before I decided to be a nurse...didn't and don't see the need to get a BSN after all these years...it won't make me a better nurse.