Is a Diploma Nursing program harder/easier then an ADN Program??

[49*1]

hey guys, im sort of stuck in a dilemma at home. Im currently enrolled in a community college in NJ and in the spring I will finish all of my pre-reqs (AP I&II, psyc, micro, etc) required for the ADN program at the school. Im currently on the waiting-list and should be called in Jan 2011. My dilemma is this, my parents are currently renting our home and the lease ends in June and my father is looking to retire in PA. I don't mind moving with them, since NJ is becoming so expensive to live in and I probably will not be working as a Nurse in NJ once I did become an RN. Anyway, most of the community colleges around the area where they are looking to move (easton, bethlehem) have wait-lists and require a few more pre-reqs then my current school does (math, speech,etc) So if i went the community college route in PA I kind of would have to start all over and take more classes and another entrance exam.

There is one thing I found, its called St. Luke's School of Nursing in bethlehem, PA. It is one of the oldest diploma nursing programs still around in the US. My pre-reqs all transfer over (one course I still would need is a entry level college chem class) which i sort of need anyway for my BSN. They are tired together with St Lukes Hospital which is really nice and one of the best in the area. I do not know about guaranteed job placement with the hospital after graduation. The program is tied also with a local community college where after i graduate and get my RN i can go for a RN-BSN program. Well after all writing, im concerned with the course work material, since i feel my community college im at now might be a little bit easier then the diploma program, but also the diploma program will have tons more clinical, which im better at i feel then all textbook studying. Im applying to the diploma program for the June 1, 2010 deadline, just to see if i would be accepted incase i choose to go they said i would find out an answer within a month. But i still would like some help in deciding and everyones own opinion in this matter. thanks guys..

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Why do you think your community college is easier than the diploma school would be? Have you talked to students?

I'd go with the school that has more clinical hours. I think it would give you the edge up in this job market, all things being equal, and being attached to a hospital certainly wouldn't hurt. I would be surprised if there was guaranteed job placement, BUT you'll probably get to know people and network while you're in school.