RN...Diploma programs in TX?

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.

I don't know if any of you are familiar with this, but I've read on other threads that there is something along the lines of an "RN Diploma" program, as opposed to earning an ADN/ASN.

Can anyone find if such a program exists in Texas? If so, where is it offered? I hear this is typically shorter than earning an Associate's Degree but the "diploma" carries the same weight as far an employer is concerned.

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I don't know of any diploma programs anymore, at least not in TX. They were programs that were affiliated with hospitals. Some were slightly shorter than a 2yr ADN. They were heavy on clinical skills and the nurses that came out of those programs were ready for just about anything. Because of the push for standardizing education, plus the ANA wanting the minimum entry degree to be a BSN, most diploma programs disappeared a long time ago. They also seemed to be more prevelant up north but not in TX. You can try searching the BON site and see if there are any accredited diploma programs. They should know if they are. As far as I am aware, diploma programs are gone.

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.

Hmm...that's interesting. I like the idea of heavy influence on clinical skills. I will continue to look into this, maybe search it online...see if there are any diploma programs available. For some reason, I was thinking the diploma would be offered from job corps or a vocational school.

I know the amount you have to learn in the CNA program is miniscule compared to what you'd learn in an ADN program but I wish we would have spent more time on clinical training. I think we went to class for three weeks 8am-4pm and then had two days of clinicals that were 8a-12p and one day 8a-4p.

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There are two diploma programs in TX, according to the Texas Nurses Association: http://texasnurses.org/careerinfo/school.htm#diploma

Most diploma programs are 2-3 years of full-time study -- not necessarily a quicker or easier entrance into nursing. The diploma program I graduated from a number of years ago was three years including summers (we got two weeks off at Xmas and two weeks off in the summer) -- a total of 33 months of full-time study, much more nursing education (and several times the amount of clinical time) than you get in either an ADN or BSN program.

There are many fewer diploma programs than there used to be, but they're still around.

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That's good know! Perhaps if there were more diploma programs still around, there would be fewer new grads coming out of school feeling lost and bewildered when it comes to the practical skill aspect of nursing. All the diploma nurses I have ever met were "old school" and they could work circles around any other nurse.

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That's good know! Perhaps if there were more diploma programs still around, there would be fewer new grads coming out of school feeling lost and bewildered when it comes to the practical skill aspect of nursing. All the diploma nurses I have ever met were "old school" and they could work circles around any other nurse.

Just agreeing 100% with you

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i really wanted to do a diploma program but could not pick up and move. the two programs in texas are located in san anton and lubbock...

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.
i really wanted to do a diploma program but could not pick up and move. the two programs in texas are located in san anton and lubbock...

that's too bad. i like all the information i was hearing about diploma programs. the only downside i can see is that you're awarded a certificate and not college credit hours which would mean you'd have a harder time continuing your education.

however, i don't think i'll ever continue to bsn because i want to be a staff nurse and in waco there is no diff for bsn unless you are in management.

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That's too bad. I like all the information I was hearing about diploma programs. The only downside I can see is that you're awarded a certificate and not college credit hours which would mean you'd have a harder time continuing your education.

However, I don't think I'll ever continue to BSN because I want to be a staff nurse and in Waco there is no diff for BSN unless you are in management.

Some programs do offer transferable college credit -- that varies from school to school. In my program, all of the courses except the actual nursing courses were taken at a nearby college and were completely "legit," transferable college credits (we ended up with about 1-1/2 years worth of college credit). Ask about that specifically if you look at any diploma programs.

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The only diploma school I know of is offered in San Antonio, TX, which is were I'm from. It's called Baptist School of Nursing. I've heard it's a good school, so I'm going to apply there.

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Hi everyone! Dottie78-I know its been a while since u posted on this thread. Im just wondering what happened when you applied to Baptist? Im thinking of doing so myself:)

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Baptist school of health professions is what I am assuming you are referring to, no longer has a diploma program...they got rid of it about 2 years ago. They are now an associates RN program and it was wonderful, I just graduated there this past April.

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