which one is better, Diploma or ADN?

steff_rn1 · Nov 29, 2004

I attended a community college and got my ADN. I feel that I was very well prepared after I graduated from school. Graduates of our ADN program scored higher than the diploma programs in my area every year. I chose this program because of the cost and because I could do it part time.

After graduation, I think the only thing that mattered to employers was that I was an RN! (and my previous experience in health care, probably). This may be different in another area, but in my experience, the important thing was that I passed boards and was an RN, not where I went to school.:)

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2004

Check the diploma program and see if the classes qualify for college credit and through what college they qualify. If by chance you want to continue. There have been a lot of diploma programs phased out over the years because there were no transferable credits from a diploma program.

exnursie · Nov 29, 2004

It surprises me to hear that you have a choice of diploma programs! In IL, the younger nurses have never even heard of a diploma degree. They are virtually extinct here.

As you may have guessed, I am a very proud diploma RN, and would repeat the same schooling. Most BSN completion programs take in to consideraiton the experience I have, but you definitley won't get the college credits that an ADN provides.

My experience was a much greater clinical ( hands on) education and an almost entire focus on nursing. The experience I had as a new grad blew away both ADN and BSN nurses.

I never considered a community college, so my comparison was aainst a 4 yr degree. it was cheaper than a university, but most likely not as cheap as a community college. It was also 3 yrs vs 4 yrs, and I believe that the ADN programs are also 3 yrs by the time you finish.

One other big benefit is that the hospital will hire you over others because they have access to your records and knw you have a first rate education.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 29, 2004

I don't think one path to an RN is necessarily better than the other. They both have the same endpoint. However, in order to go on to a BSN or higher, you must have transferrable college credits and this is something to consider. With an ADN - credits are easy to transfer. Sometimes with a diploma - its not so easy. Employment shouldn't be a problem either way - the nursing shortage is still very real.

rhp123 · Nov 29, 2004

It's so nice to see many suggestions and replies.

I am in NJ, there are tons of diploma programs here, especially in Northern area, kind of special. I did a research, in most other states, there are very few diploma programs. The diploma programs in NJ ususally are associated with local community colleges, students get a diploma from the hospital nursing school, and an ADN from the college. (I guess any one would be suffice to the employers:-)

At this point, I am not sure I will continue to study or not after get RN. Probably not, (want to enjoy the life and relax a little bit :-). Also, all general education courses for diploma programs are taught at community colleges, I figure these general education course credits would be transferrable. Cost is definitely cheaper in Community college, but I heard these diploma programs give out tons of institutional scholarship.

Guess I will be happy no matter which program I choose and get into!

rhp123 · Nov 29, 2004

It surprises me to hear that you have a choice of diploma programs! In IL, the younger nurses have never even heard of a diploma degree. They are virtually extinct here.
As you may have guessed, I am a very proud diploma RN, and would repeat the same schooling. Most BSN completion programs take in to consideraiton the experience I have, but you definitley won't get the college credits that an ADN provides.
My experience was a much greater clinical ( hands on) education and an almost entire focus on nursing. The experience I had as a new grad blew away both ADN and BSN nurses.
I never considered a community college, so my comparison was aainst a 4 yr degree. it was cheaper than a university, but most likely not as cheap as a community college. It was also 3 yrs vs 4 yrs, and I believe that the ADN programs are also 3 yrs by the time you finish.
One other big benefit is that the hospital will hire you over others because they have access to your records and knw you have a first rate education.

Hi, exnursie:

This is exactly what I have thought. Diploma programs usually have strengths on clinical education components and prepares the students very well. This is what I love.

Altra, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2004

Hi rhp123,

It's nice to hear about some other area where diploma programs are still going strong! There are at least 8 within 30-40 miles of where I live. Most are well-respected, and new grads successfully compete for jobs with other area ADN and BSN grads.

All of the diploma programs here are paired with a local college or university to offer the non-nursing courses (A&P, microbiology, nutrition, psych, etc.) At my school these total 30 credits. Most BSN programs here will grant somewhere around 36 additional credits for the nursing courses towards a BSN. Can't say exactly how it would work where you are ... And you're right - there are numerous scholarship opportunities for us through different hospital foundations & scholarship programs.

Best of luck to you. :)

Q. · Nov 29, 2004

I would opt for an ADN simply because if you want to continue on in your career or your education, the ADN will make it much easier to do so. You never know what the future holds. Many times if you are unable to do patient care anymore, you can secure more "desk" type nursing positions with an ADN in the least, BSN generally.

I view the ADN as a great investment as well as an insurance policy for the future.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 29, 2004

Here, when you go through a dimploma program you are given 36 hours of transferable college credit (because you take some pre-reqs at a local CC). If you go through the ADN program, you are given 36 hours of transferable credits too if you want to go on and get your BSN. So basically, either one allows you to transfer on to get your BSN with the same number of transferable hours.

The dimploma program here is for 4 major hospitals only. They run the program and hire from the program. You are only accepted into the program if you work for one of the hospitals already. It's a free program if you agree to work for them for so many hours (it's about 4.5 years total) as an RN when you graduate and you must agree to full time RN work. I tried to get hired at one of the hosptials but never did and was eventually accepted to the ADN program at a local CC so I'm going this route instead.

I'm not sure what one is better than the other but one may be more suited to your preferences than the other. As far as being hired, around here 4 hospitals hire from their dimploma program but the other 3 don't....

Good luck in whatever you decide!!!

rhp123 · Nov 29, 2004

Here, when you go through a dimploma program you are given 36 hours of transferable college credit (because you take some pre-reqs at a local CC). If you go through the ADN program, you are given 36 hours of transferable credits too if you want to go on and get your BSN. So basically, either one allows you to transfer on to get your BSN with the same number of transferable hours.
The dimploma program here is for 4 major hospitals only. They run the program and hire from the program. You are only accepted into the program if you work for one of the hospitals already. It's a free program if you agree to work for them for so many hours (it's about 4.5 years total) as an RN when you graduate and you must agree to full time RN work. I tried to get hired at one of the hosptials but never did and was eventually accepted to the ADN program at a local CC so I'm going this route instead.
I'm not sure what one is better than the other but one may be more suited to your preferences than the other. As far as being hired, around here 4 hospitals hire from their dimploma program but the other 3 don't....
Good luck in whatever you decide!!!

Hi, mom2michael:

I agree with you. I checked several RN-BSN programs, seems that it doesn't matter if it is a diploma, as long as you are a RN. Because diploma programs nowadays are associated with colleges, the transferiability of credits does not seem to be an issue.

Thanks for your good wishes!

maggie

mattsmom81 · Nov 29, 2004

As a diploma RN I must point this out: do your research carefully as far as what will transfer and for how long. You don't want any surprises if you want to go back for your BSN in 5 yrs.

Some of my general courses taken at the local uni (Chem, AP,Micro, etc) WOULD have transferred to BSN programs had I used them within 5 yrs...after 5 yrs generally BSN programs begin to exclude them, and some courses would not be accepted regardless (pathophys, nutrition, pharmacology) because they were through the medical school/nursing school and not university based (my teachers were docs but the BSN schools don't care..... However NONE of my hospital courses transferred to the BSN program..meaning I needed to repeat essentially ALL my nursing coursework.

A little research will go a long way..I was unprepared for how the BSN programs viewed my diploma education and it has left a very bad taste in my mouth.