I didn't expect to be insulted and frowned upon during my very FIRST interview, but that is exactly what happened. This was an interview for a new-grad position and one I was well prepared for and more than qualified to take on. But I wasn't prepared for THIS. At first they weren't even expecting me to be there because HR forgot to tell them, that should have been the first warning flag.
Initially I'm being asked all the normal questions and given "what would you do?" scenarios. The woman tells me I did well and answered what they're looking for. Well of course I did! I passed the NCLEX first try and I'm appropriately trained, right? WRONG. When the topic of my education came up and she learned that I was a diploma graduate, the interview took a 360. She informed me that diploma nurses were only "techs" in the nursing world and that I really should just go back to school for my BSN because she will pick the person with the BSN over the diploma nurse only based on that fact. She stated that diploma nurses are trained to take on the basic nursing duties however BSN know how to distinguish good research vs. garbage and apply it to their work environment. Well hey! That may very well be true and that's fine and dandy but we are talking about a new grad entry-level-get-eaten-alive position and it doesn't matter if you have a diploma, ADN, or BSN. ALL are qualified for this entry-level position. You pass the boards, you're capable. I am MORE than happy to go back to school and get my BSN, BUT I need a job first because surprise surprise, college isn't free! Who knew?! I could see getting a reaction like this if I had applied for a nurse manager or nursing supervisor position. But new grad? Infuriating! I gave up my WHOLE life. And I'm not just talking about time for fun and games and relaxation. I'm talking about my family, when the father of my child left me for another woman stating that I was "too dedicated to my education". I'm talking about single parenthood and still managing to finish my last year with an A. I'm talking about lost friendships and time with my daughter that I will NEVER get back. And for what exactly? To be told that my school is worthless? My education is worthless? I'M worthless? Unbelievable! The quality of a diploma education is one of a kind. You do spend time in the classroom but LIVE in the hospital practicing all of the necessary skills and graduate feeling prepared and ready!
Competition is getting tighter. Employers are more likely to hire graduates with a bachelor's degree.
This would ensure them of the quality.
So, nurses who graduated from diploma/ASN programs are poor quality nurses? (You said as much in the bolded text.)
While I completely that AmyGarside's statement is ludicrous, I don't think her statement equates to "nurses who graduated from diploma/ASN programs are poor quality nurses"
Rather, I think it equates to the (equally ridiculous) statements that "BSN programs produce consistently high-quality nurses" or "diploma/ASN programs are less consistent in the production of quality nurses compared to BSN programs."
From my experience, no program - from diploma through DEMSN - produces consistently high-quality nurses.
Well I started this thread because I wanted some feedback from others on my experience as well as share my personal opinion. I also wanted to tell everyone that I got called back from that same place to interview again and got offered a position on the spot! Very unexpected, however the second person who interviewed me adored diploma nurses and placed an expectation on me that I will be ahead of the game. Challenge accepted. I guess it just comes down to personal opinion. The truth is most diploma programs bring out good, well rounded ENTRY level nurses. And so do most ASN/BSN. Too many people are jumping on the higher education band wagon thing, and its all for the wrong reasons. The only "person" that really benefit from this higher education are the banks and universities. And that's my personal opinion. Some people just get taught to think a certain way about diploma or ASN nurses. So its up to us to step up to the plate and show them that their belief of us being "less qualified" may not actually be true and that a diploma RN or ASN RN nurse is just worthy of a chance as a BSN RN. It seems that hospital diploma programs are going extinct and it's a real shame. Theres something special about those types of programs and the experience they give is one of a kind. The "Corporate" business taking-over epidemic doesn't only exist in the retail world.
Well I started this thread because I wanted some feedback from others on my experience as well as share my personal opinion. I also wanted to tell everyone that I got called back from that same place to interview again and got offered a position on the spot! Very unexpected however the second person who interviewed me adored diploma nurses and placed an expectation on me that I will be ahead of the game. Challenge accepted. I guess it just comes down to personal opinion. The truth is most diploma programs bring out good, well rounded ENTRY level nurses. And so do most ASN/BSN. Too many people are jumping on the higher education band wagon thing, and its all for the wrong reasons. [b']The only "person" that really benefit from this higher education are the banks and universities.[/b] And that's my personal opinion. Some people just get taught to think a certain way about diploma or ASN nurses. So its up to us to step up to the plate and show them that their belief of us being "less qualified" may not actually be true and that a diploma RN or ASN RN nurse is just worthy of a chance as a BSN RN. It seems that hospital diploma programs are going extinct and it's a real shame. Theres something special about those types of programs and the experience they give is one of a kind. The "Corporate" business taking-over epidemic doesn't only exist in the retail world.
What a fantastic update!
Respectfully, I have to disagree with what I have bolded. I am a BSN student, and I wouldn't trade my program for the world. I know I am going into it down a leg on skills experience, but what I have gained in theory and from my gen eds, I appreciate 100%. I genuinely feel my degree has been worth every penny, and I have no regrets regarding my choice to start with a BSN, instead of going with one of the quicker routes. Just as you hope we let go of our preconceived notions of the diploma RN, I hope that you let go of your preconceived notions of the BSN.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Well I started this thread because I wanted some feedback from others on my experience as well as share my personal opinion. I also wanted to tell everyone that I got called back from that same place to interview again and got offered a position on the spot! Very unexpected, however the second person who interviewed me adored diploma nurses and placed an expectation on me that I will be ahead of the game. Challenge accepted. I guess it just comes down to personal opinion. The truth is most diploma programs bring out good, well rounded ENTRY level nurses. And so do most ASN/BSN. Too many people are jumping on the higher education band wagon thing, and its all for the wrong reasons. The only "person" that really benefit from this higher education are the banks and universities. And that's my personal opinion. Some people just get taught to think a certain way about diploma or ASN nurses. So its up to us to step up to the plate and show them that their belief of us being "less qualified" may not actually be true and that a diploma RN or ASN RN nurse is just worthy of a chance as a BSN RN. It seems that hospital diploma programs are going extinct and it's a real shame. Theres something special about those types of programs and the experience they give is one of a kind. The "Corporate" business taking-over epidemic doesn't only exist in the retail world.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Well I started this thread because I wanted some feedback from others on my experience as well as share my personal opinion. I also wanted to tell everyone that I got called back from that same place to interview again and got offered a position on the spot! Very unexpected, however the second person who interviewed me adored diploma nurses and placed an expectation on me that I will be ahead of the game. Challenge accepted. I guess it just comes down to personal opinion. The truth is most diploma programs bring out good, well rounded ENTRY level nurses. And so do most ASN/BSN. Too many people are jumping on the higher education band wagon thing, and its all for the wrong reasons. The only "person" that really benefit from this higher education are the banks and universities. And that's my personal opinion. Some people just get taught to think a certain way about diploma or ASN nurses. So its up to us to step up to the plate and show them that their belief of us being "less qualified" may not actually be true and that a diploma RN or ASN RN nurse is just worthy of a chance as a BSN RN. It seems that hospital diploma programs are going extinct and it's a real shame. Theres something special about those types of programs and the experience they give is one of a kind. The "Corporate" business taking-over epidemic doesn't only exist in the retail world.
Good on you! I am so happy that someone else gave you a chance. Now go out there and knock 'em dead! (OK, well, maybe don't do that but you know what I mean! )
Respectfully, I have to disagree with what I have bolded. I am a BSN student, and I wouldn't trade my program for the world. I know I am going into it down a leg on skills experience, but what I have gained in theory and from my gen eds, I appreciate 100%. I genuinely feel my degree has been worth every penny, and I have no regrets regarding my choice to start with a BSN, instead of going with one of the quicker routes. Just as you hope we let go of our preconceived notions of the diploma RN, I hope that you let go of your preconceived notions of the BSN.
Good luck to you in your new position!
I agree with this. You can't automatically assume that your education is all that is needed, and that a nurse with a BSN can't offer anything more than a diploma nurse, especially if you do not have a BSN and therefore have no idea about what getting it adds to the table. It's not okay to say that diploma nurses are less than BSN nurses, but it is okay to say that BSN nurses don't learn anything that can add to the nursing profession beyond the "basic" nursing classes??? It's not okay to stereotype against diploma grads, but it is okay to stereotype and degrade Bachelors level of education?
I'm talking about entry level positions. My point is any new grad RN is capable for that and no one should be excluded due to their type of degree. I'm not degrading BSN but I am making a very important observation. A BSN can only earn you on average a 30 cent raise, some hospitals don't give you anything for going back to school. How much do they really truly value your education for 30 cents? Or for nothing? I suspect a second agenda going on here, and that's my opinion.
I'm talking about entry level positions. My point is any new grad RN is capable for that and no one should be excluded due to their type of degree. I'm not degrading BSN but I am making a very important observation. A BSN can only earn you on average a 30 cent raise, some hospitals don't give you anything for going back to school. How much do they really truly value your education for 30 cents? Or for nothing? I suspect a second agenda going on here, and that's my opinion.
I don't think very many places pay anymore per hr because BSN is expected to be the degree for entry level nursing positions in most places.
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ixchel
4,547 Posts
AmyGarside: With only your name, I just found your facebook, twitter and linkedin. You need to change your screenname, love.