Is diploma RN any good, or is BSRN it?

[Streamline2010]

All of these discussions of employers not hiring anything except BSRN really worry me. My question, and it's a big one, is will I find a nursing job straight out of school? If not, then it may not be worth it to me to do this diploma RN. I want a career change, but I definitely do not want to change to a field that does not offer jobs ASAP.

I am an older student. I am scheduled to start a 24 month diploma RN in Jan 2011. I picked this particular program for two reasons:

1. Academics: It gives me 3 days of clinical experience per week for almost a solid 24mo, their retention rate is very good, their program is highly regarded, and their NCLEX 1st-try rate is 'way up there, substantially higher than other RN programs in the area, including the other diploma RN, the accel BSRN 2nd degree, and the ADRNs.

2. Funding: I am RIF, actually twice-RIF'd worker now, from 2 industries. Since my career(s) were lost to foreign competition, I will be using TAA funding from an older petition that requires me to attend a full-time training that can be completed in 24 months, and is training for a demand occupation. I could get through a ADRN for $9k in tuition and books, but that would not be covered, b/c I am not considered full time. I think the ADRN would be a more cost-efficient route, but the government demands that I be full time, so double-the-cost, it'll be!

So, after having taken about 1 year to complete the college prereqs, test for this school, be accepted, jump through all the other hoops for admissions and funding, I am wondering if I will just be wasting my time. I mean, I don't start until 6+ months from now, it will be 24 months out of the paid workforce for me, unless I can get a PT job there, and I am unemployed now and that will run out in this month unless Congress passes extensions.

So, am I wasting my time with this diploma RN? I have an associate degree in chemical engineering, a baccalaureate in business and CMIS, and I have been told that my intellect, computer, mechanical, and technical strengths, and occupational experience will be a good complement to the nursing skill set. I planned to complete BSRN online ASAP after finishing the diploma, or even starting it before I complete the diploma if I can sweet talk a school into that.

I can relocate to any rural area to find a job, if need be. Or any urban one, provided I can afford to live there. As for what branch of nursing to work in, well, anything but pediatrics and mother-baby would suit me. I flinch at those two, because I have no kids, I've never been around children much, and I prefer to work with adults. Some of the assignments I have had in engineering and manufacturing have been far worse working conditions, heat, cold, dirt, stink, and potential for fire and explosions than hospitals. (or at least I think so) ;-) I believe I'd be pretty adaptable to anything but pediatrics, and apparently a lot of nurses already really want to be there, and I don't. I'd also not be adverse to working nights, afternoons, or weekends, because I am single, childless, and there's just not a lot blistering hot social life out there after a certain age for a single professional woman who won't date trash loser men. I am used to working 12-14hr shifts; just don't make me do heavy lifting the entire 12 hrs. My only dependents are housecats.

I guess that about covers it. It takes so flippin' long to get accepted into a program that I am inclined to stay the course on this diploma RN, rather than start over from Square 1 and try for an accel BSRN 2nd degree. When I look at many conventional BSRN degrees I see a boatload of liberal arts drivel in there and not as much clinical experience as the diploma RN that I chose.

Advice, anyone?

[eaRN]

Majority of places, hospitals mainly, are phasing out associate degree RN's for BSN's. But even we're still having a hard time finding jobs. Hope this helps.

[Bobbkat]

Do you know if the hospital that your program is affiliated with gives preferential hiring status to it's graduates? There is a diploma program with a GREAT reputation in the state I recently moved to, and I'm pretty sure that they prefer to hire their own RN's. I would try calling some recruiters, or even anyone that you already know working with the hospital to see if you can get any info.

To be honest (and I mean no disrespect to ADN's by this), I think the best place to be as a new grad right now is with a BSN or as a diploma grad applying at their programs hospital. The diploma grad might have an advantage in that they already are familiar with the hospital, and the hospital is familiar with them, plus they have been trained to the hospitals standards. The BSN grad has an advantage because almost alll job postings seem to state 'BSN preferred'. ADN programs are often not associated with any particular hospital, plus they have to compete with everyone else that may have an advantage. Of course, I am told there are certain areas that prefer ADN's....but I apparently do not live in that area of the country. Anyways....nothing is promised in this economy no matter what your degree, and I should add that I am currently unemployed (though I have started getting interviews, and they are for great positions that I actually WANT and would stay at).

I agree that you will have more clinical experience. I have a BSN and the maximum we ever had was 2 days per week of clinical. Some semesters we only had one. 3 days per week for 24 months is awesome. You'll be way ahead of the curve in that area.

[CCL"Babe", BSN, RN]

In the Philadelphia region most hospitals are hiring BSN graduates. There are other jobs available out side hospitals, although the pay is usually not as good. You may want to get the diploma then work towards a bachelor degree. There are programs that will accelerate your RN to BSN once you are out and working.