diploma vs degree

Worthy · Oct 21, 2003

I'm certainly no expert, but fear not. It is my understanding that those with nursing diplomas in Ontario will be "Grandfathered" in - i.e. will not be required to go back and get they're degree.

The new degree policy applies to all new nurses graduating as of January 1, 2005.

While I can appreciate the level of knowledge needed to become an RN these days, I don't think this policy will help the nursing shortage one bit.

Plus, as a future RPN, if I want to go back to get my RN, I previously would have been able to use my RPN as exemption to the first year of the three year RN diploma. Now my RPN means nothing, nada, toward a degree - and I would have to go back full-time for four years. BLECH!

bonitabanana · Oct 22, 2003

I'm a Canadian Rn (diploma) --grad. 18 yrs ago-- never thought I'd need it too-- but later found ou that it would have been a good thing to have-- Lot's of programs now to do online--check w/Ryerson, Univ. of Athabaska, even TWU in Dallas has a 4 yr, RN to Masters program w/ work counted as part of your hours.

Also, I had let my Ont. license lapse--so I decided on a trip to Canada this summer to reenstate it- I heard afterwards that if you are a diploma nurse who has let their lic. become inactive in ONT. --that as of Jan 2004--you will loose it!\

Not sure how true that is--but it sure does warrant some checking into--

Good luck and go for it-- it will keep your doors open in the future--and at one course at a time--you'll be done before you know it!

I truely regret not doing it sooner-- now I've got little ones, and I'm trying to play catch-up!

amber1188 · Oct 24, 2003

It's my understanding that the grandfathering thing isn't happening anymore. Maybe with diploma RNs, they just have to take a post-diploma course, but with RPNs, they have to take the full 4 years. I was talking with an RPN student the other week and she said that there might be something put in place so that you just take extra courses rather than the whole thing all over again.

fergus51 · Oct 24, 2003

RNs are grandfathered. There has been a lot of fear mongering by people not in favor of this new requirement, but in truth no current RN has anything to worry about. RPNs and current students are the ones affected by it.

LydiaGreen · Oct 24, 2003

Diploma RN's graduating in April/May of 2004, will be the last diploma RN's in Ontario until the Ontario government realizes how fool-hardy the decision to faze out diploma RN's is. Manitoba tried this, it failed. They have reinstituted diploma RN training. In Ontario, this will only make the nursing shortage more critical. I will be one of the lucky ones graduating in May 2004. To get our degree will apparently be two years of full-time study through a university affiliated with our college. I won't be doing it. The difference in pay between a diploma RN and a degree RN amounts to approximately $30 per month at the hospital I am doing my practicum hours in. The cost of obtaining my degree would take my entire nursing career to recoup at $30/month. Not interested in doing that.

Diploma RN's with current registration in Ontario will not be affected in any way provided they keep up their registration. If however, you allow your registration to expire, you will be required to earn a degree before you can receive registration again.

fergus51 · Oct 24, 2003

Lydia there are several shorter programs to get your degree once you are already an RN, many are offered part time via distance education. BCIT in particular has a program where experienced RNs can challenge about half the course load.

Worthy · Oct 24, 2003

Since we are sort of on the subject, maybe some of you can help me with this.

I am in the second semester of my two year RPN diploma. I cannot afford to go to school full-time, so the part-time RPN program suited me just fine - I will graduate with no debt!

However, I am contemplating going back for my RN to enable me to work in the US. Starting a four year degree from scratch is daunting. I cannot get credit for ANY of my RPN education...not even an intro to Psych class!!!

However, a University in Michigan, just across the border, offers a three year BSN program. There, I can get credit for all my "non-nursing" credits, and I am investigating if any of my nursing courses will exempt me. Three years is shorter than four, and I will be able to work as an RPN on the Canadian side (this is in Sault Ste. Marie) while I am finishing my degree.

Question - will RNs with the US degree qualify as an RN in Ontario? The education is shorter, and different - though it is still a degree. Of course I will be approaching the school with this question, but just wondered if anybody knew.

fergus51 · Oct 24, 2003

RNs with a BSN from a US university will be able to practice here from what I understand. But, those who graduate from ADN or Diploma programs will not. I would suggest you talk to CNO to put your mind at ease.

petunia · Oct 26, 2003

Thanks for all replies and info. I have applied for reinstatement so I guess I wait to hear whether ONA will let me pactice as an RN again or not! :uhoh3:

epg_pei · Oct 26, 2003

from a degreed nurse...."Why did they require bachelors degrees in the first place, I heard they wanted to go back to diplomas"

No, I don't know who "they" are...

I personally would have much rathered going to college or hospital and learning in those modes. I am having a hard time putting the university experience into a real-world perspective.

petunia · Nov 10, 2003

I will be reinstating my Ontario RN license for 2004. I spoke with the CNO regarding the need for a degree to be an RN in Ontario and they told me that once the last diploma programs graduate in 2004 there will be no more. Also, all new grads thereafter must have a degree. All new requests for an RN license after January 1, 2005 will require a degree. All licensed Ontario RNs with diplomas before this date are grandfathered. What I found very interesting was that I was told by CNO that RPN programs will be 3 years. The Diploma RN programs used to be 3 years when I graduated. Does this mean that bedside nursing will be done by a greater % of RPNs in the future? Food for thought.