HELP!!! PLEASE!!!! Delaware Valley Diploma Programs

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Hello,

I am recently out of the military and looking into getting my RN certification as soon as possible. I have found a few Diploma RN programs, but am wondering if after I spend the 2-3 years in the programs, that there will be no jobs out there for "just a diploma grad". I am in Delaware County, PA, but am looking anywhere in the area of 40 miles or so.

Any Information on hospital jobs with a Diploma RN is greatly appreciated.

God Bless,

Roderick

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Hello Delaware County!

I am in Montgomery County PA. Pottstown to be exact.

When you say Diploma programs are you talking an ASN (associates) vs. a BSN (bachelors)?

When I started talking about going back to school I talked to a very good friend who has been an RN for the last 25 years. She told me that whether it's an ASN or a BSN there is no difference at the hospital she works out as far as starting salary or getting a job in general. The difference she says is when you want to move into management they have a preference of a BSN over an ASN.

I plan to get my ASN and go back for the BSN once I am working as an RN....wow that's a lot of acronyms. The nursing field is continuing to grow and the need for RNs whether ASN or BSN is going to continue to grow in need as well.

Hopefully that helped!

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Hello Delaware County!

I am in Montgomery County PA. Pottstown to be exact.

When you say Diploma programs are you talking an ASN (associates) vs. a BSN (bachelors)?

When I started talking about going back to school I talked to a very good friend who has been an RN for the last 25 years. She told me that whether it's an ASN or a BSN there is no difference at the hospital she works out as far as starting salary or getting a job in general. The difference she says is when you want to move into management they have a preference of a BSN over an ASN.

I plan to get my ASN and go back for the BSN once I am working as an RN....wow that's a lot of acronyms. The nursing field is continuing to grow and the need for RNs whether ASN or BSN is going to continue to grow in need as well.

Hopefully that helped!

Hi, Thank you for the information. I am actually talking about Hospital Diploma schools, that will give you an RN certification, so you are ready for boards, but you do not have an ASN or BSN. I have looked at Pottstown as well, and am keeping all my options open. Where in Pottstown are you going to school?

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I am going to Montgomery County Community College. Delaware County Community has a similar program.

I have heard really good things about Reading Hospitals nursing program, which you come out as an RN.

http://www.readinghospital.org/OPage.asp?PageID=OTH000365

I also have heard of Abington Memorial's program in Abington/Willow Grove Area

http://www.amhdixonson.org/

In Chester County there is Brandywine Hospital

http://www.brandywinehospital.com/School%20of%20Nursing/default.aspx

The demand for nurses is going to be great for years to come. I think which ever way you go you will do well.

Jen

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Many diploma schools have excellent reputations for turning out well-prepared graduates, and, esp. in the case of new grads, hospitals tend to think that "a nurse is a nurse is a nurse." As long as you have a license, most of them don't really care how you got it (which route). If you go to a school with a good reputation in the area, being a diploma grad may actually give you an advantage in job-hunting as a new grad.

However, if you have any aspirations to move "upward" in nursing in the future, you will want to plan on returning to school to complete a BSN degree later on -- there are lots of "RN-to-BSN" programs out there, and most are set up to accommodate people who are working full-time as RNs.

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Thank you Elkpark,

That is very encouraging to know. I am Definitely planning on going back for a RN-BSN transfer program in the future. Anyone that is in the Delaware Valley that knows of good reputation Hospital Diploma programs, that information would be very useful.

Thanks to all the replies so far

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If you are looking to start your search for information you might want to attend some of the nursing information sessions offered in the area. It looks like Brandywine Hospital School of Nursing has an information session on Wed. April 16th at 6 pm. Delaware County Community College's next info. session happens to be on the same night at 6:30 at Chester County Hospital. You will get a catalog that will answer a lot of your questions and it also outlines the program. You then can have something to compare to the other programs you are interested in. Good Luck!

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Thank you MommyCakers,

I have looked at both of those programs and do plan on attending information sessions as soon as I have a mode of transportation again, as my car is broken down. As of now, after doing A LOT of research, I know of the schools in the area, both Associates as well as Diploma Schools. I guess what I am really trying to figure out is any RN's that KNOW of the great Hospital Programs. I know Abington is good, but have heard that they are going through a hiring freeze, so I have been looking at Temple, Roxborough, DCCC, CCP, Frankford and Episcopal. SO any Information on how the schools Reputation is would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for all the quick responses!!!

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