I am just in the beginning process of applying for nursing schools. There are a couple of ADN programs in the community colleges as well as a couple of Hospital Nursing Diploma programs close to where I live.
I am wondering which one is better, diploma or ADN? excluding cost concerns. I am especially concerned about which one has a greater chance of getting a job immediately after graduation.
If I am in a hospital program, does that mean I have a good chance of getting a job offer from the same hospital after graduation? During the study, will I have a good chance to get a hospital job and gain some experience which will help me getting a job later.
Anybody study in the diploma program have any idea?
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.
The diploma program I applied to in Little Rock, Arkansas has higher standards than the ADN program I almost went through in Tennessee. In fact, they study their clinicals with the BSN students and they are required to have chemistry and several more courses in the humanities than the ADN programs.
At the same time I'm not sure that means a diploma school grad will get a better job than an ADN grad.
I was accepted in this diploma school but unfortunately due to family and money constraints I will be forced to go through Excelsior College (in fact, I've already started taking the nursing concepts exams). I'm sure I'll get my head bitten off for saying this but what the heck...if someone has the opportunity to go through a traditional program they should do it because it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the benefits of hands-on learning over distance learning. Not that distance learning students are necessarily inferior but it would make it an easier more cut and dry process to learn hands on. My husband makes fun of me and says my Excelsior diploma will be something to stick in the closet and try not to talk about but just to spite him I think I'll have it framed and hang it on the living room wall.
Just wanted to add my thoughts...I am currently in my first semester of a diploma program, and am thrilled with the amount of clinical experience I am receiving. I have a friend who will be graduating from a BSN program in a few weeks who has not received nearly as much experience as me, even in my first semester. Our diploma school grads have a much higher board pass rate than the local AD program, but I think it just all depends on the type of cirriculum that the school uses. Out of the last graduating class, the hospital hired 30 out of its 39 grads, which I think is great. And our college credits will transfer for most BSN programs, b/c the are done at a major university rather than a comm college....I started out in pre-nursing in an AD program, and switching to a diploma program has been the best decision I could have ever made. Its all a matter of researching and see what will be the best option for you.
rhp123
307 Posts
mattsmom81:
Thanks for the advice, I will do more reseach :-)
maggie