Diploma RN to a Bsn

NurseNikki=) · Dec 29, 2012

It really depends on the hospital's preference. A lot of hospitals in the Southeast USA only give 50 cents more an hour and you can still advance to higher positions without BSN as long as you have experience.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Dec 29, 2012

Welcome to allnurses, tarryn! :welcome:

Your thread has been moved to the Registered Nurses: Diploma/ ADN/ BSN Forum as this forum is more suitable to this type of inquiry :)

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 29, 2012

Hi nurses,
I am an RN from South Africa, however I have a diploma and not a bachelors degree. I would like some advice on whether it is worth studying further and spending thousands of dollars to get my Bachelor in Nursing, and if it is the best way to go about it. . .

The trend in hiring for nurses in most parts of the US has changed from "BSN preferred" to "BSN required." While this does not necessarily mean that as a diploma RN, you will not be able to find a position, it may make your job search more difficult however, as an experienced RN, you should have a substantial leg up. I am not sure how licensure for non-US diploma RN's works but I would suspect that this may a more substantial barrier than the lack of a BSN.

With respect to your BSN, one relatively low-cost alternative would be an on-line RN-BSN program. You will likely get some credit for your diploma courses but may have to take some other science, social science and humanities courses - you should be able to do this at a local community college (assuming you are in the US - don't know if there is a SA equivalent if not). The RN-BSN programs at U Texas-Arlington, Ohio U, Ft Hayes State U, Slippery Rock State U, U Wyoming and, Thomas Edison State and SU New York-Delphi are all well under $10,000. There are probably others out there as well.

Best of luck to you.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 29, 2012

Hi nurses,
I am an RN from South Africa, however I have a diploma and not a bachelors degree. I would like some advice on whether it is worth studying further and spending thousands of dollars to get my Bachelor in Nursing, and if it is the best way to go about it. . .

Should also say that any difference in pay among diploma, ADN and BSN is likely to be small.

Tarryn · Dec 30, 2012

Thanks all:) I am in Canada. Not sure how different it is here. Just seems a lot of money to spend, especially if there is little difference in salary.

jhendoRN · Jan 9, 2013

It really depends on what State you are going to work in, and if you plan to work as an actual RN or go into teaching other nurses. I was laid off after being a School Nurse for 11 years and replaced with an LPN---so even my RN didn't save me there! I am a diploma RN and do not have a degree but I have over 20 years experience as an RN. I had trouble finding a job and thought maybe it was because I am not a degree nurse. I spent a lot of time researching furthering my education & applying for jobs. I can't afford to spend around $30,000 for an RN to BSN course and will get little financial help because I am an adult. I also can not find a single employer in my western new york area that actually pays more for a nurse that has a degree in comparison to one that does not. I ended up getting hired as a supervisor at a county nursing home as a sub, and the hourly wage is $27/hour! I would have a hard time finding that wage even with a BSN degree. I would suggest you do some research of the area you plan to work, the cost of getting your degree, and see if it will pay for itself over time. For me...it just would not be financially smart or even worth it for my career future. I am currently looking into some sort of independent practitioner work as an RN with my own business...but naturally, will need to research that option more too. I wish you the best of luck!

I am an RN from South Africa, however I have a diploma and not a bachelors degree. I would like some advice on whether it is worth studying further and spending thousands of dollars to get my Bachelor in Nursing, and if it is the best way to go about it. Anyone else been in my shoes?

Thanks a million:)

Tarryn