diploma vs degree

[petunia]

I have heard so many conflicting stories about this subject so I thought perhaps someone here might know the answer. I am a 3 year diploma RN. I have been practicing full-time for many years in various settings. Now I hear that within the next few years I will not be able to practice as an RN unless I have a degree. I'm fine if I stay working at the same hospital and unit I work at now but if I choose to go to Ontario (where I got my diploma from originally) or change job sites then I must have a degree. I would love to go back to school and have taken a few university courses towards a degree but find the expense just something I can not handle at this time. I love being a nurse and fear for my future.

[FutureNurse2005]

I was under the impression that the diploma nurses would have to upgrade...even if it was on a part time basis. So many colleges and universities are offering this upgrading. Besides, why wouldnt you want to upgrade? I would think it could only be beneficial!

[petunia]

I agree that upgrading would be to my benefit. I was concerned that I would not be allowed to practice at all as an RN in Ontario. I have much experience and many added skills through certification courses that I have aquired through the years. CNO stated that Diploma RNs are encouraged to upgrade with a post RN degree but are not required to. Most of the diploma RNs that I know are working slowly on their post RN degree including myself. It is a very expensive endeavour and depending on finances and/or family committments can take a long while. I don't consider one being better than the other (a hot topic of discussion now!) but I do agree that nurses should be committed to life long learning.

[NurseLysithia]

morning all!

just wanted to put my two cents in...i'm currently a year 3 bscn student...and i've also heard a lot of conflicting info about this topic, but what i think *might* be closest to the truth is:

those who want to write the registration exam to become an rn after jan 2005 will need a bscn degree.

those nurses who write before jan 2005 will keep their registration and yes, will be "grandparented" (heehee).

but: i've also heard from a friend whom works at a small local hospital near here that the institution will be grandparenting only those nurses who have been registered for 10 years or more, they want those w/o 10 yrs experience to take courses toward a bsn (even just part time is fine)

i agree with whomever said that upgrading should be on everyone's list - since we are committed to life-long learning. even though, some days my program seems more like a traning course in small-group and problem-based learning...i have learned soooooooo much about how to find and use information! i love it

have a good one!! good luck to those of you who are reinstating your reg's!!! ;-)

oh...on that topic, also i've heard (from the teachers/tutors in my programme) that they are changing the rn exam (at least here in ontario) to reflect the changes in training programmes...i have no idea what that means, but evidently as of 2005 (just in time for me! yaay) they will have changed it!

lys