Nursing Diploma or Associates Degree??

[bozzie22]

Does anyone have any information as far as the salary differences between obtaining your RN through a nursing diploma or having an associates degree? I would think it is easier to get hired in a hospital setting if you have your degree as opposed to a diploma??? I appreciate any insight you can provide. I'm in New Jersey if that helps.

[Eydawn]

What are you referring to as a nursing diploma? I thought the lowest form of RN was an associate's degree. Then, BSN is a bachelor's...

Nursing diploma makes me think of an LPN.

Wendy

CO EMT-B

[reaper]

I think most diploma programs have switched to a degree program now. If you are looking for a generic RN job, not much difference. If you are looking at a specialty, most won't even look at you, without the degree.

[paramedicmike]

There are still some diploma programs out there. They're becoming few and far in between though.

Salary wise, I've not seen any difference between diploma or ASN RNs.. However, there are several hospitals locally that have stopped hiring diploma or ASN nurses altogether. If you don't have a BSN or higher they won't even look at you.

Just something else to consider.

[VentMedic]

The diploma will be very limiting in the long run for promotions or advancements into areas such as Critical Care and Specialty transport. Almost all of our RNs in these positions have at least a BSN. There are very few with only an Associates that have been allowed to stay in the CC specialty areas because they are near retirement.

If your state decides to change to Associates as the requirement, while you may be grand-fathered in, you will be the lowest link in the hierarchy of that profession.

Many diploma programs are now linked to community colleges. If that is the case in this situation, take advantage of it and get the Associates while getting the quality clinical experience a hospital diploma program can offer.

[Ridryder 911]

Diploma nurse= go back to school to get degree.

ADN= go back to school to get BSN for promotion

BSN= Go back to school to get a position

MSN= Go back to school to get professional position and be the leader of your profession.

PhD/DNSc= Definitely not reimbursed enough for the education level in comparison ; also very few job opportunities in comparison.

Diploma nursing went out in the 80's. Yes, there are a few left.. (hint few). If you want to be recognized or ever considered for any promotion, better have the degree.

R/r 911

[parapupp63727]

Ummmm....my wife is an RN she actually has her BSN. An ASN nurse will make anywhere from cents on the dollar to amybe even a few dollars less an hour.

[celticcare]

I know different system here in NZ, but we only have the Bachelors degree here in Nursing *I got my BN last year* That is the minimum for working here, then it a process of post graduate certs/diplomas to make a total for your masters *which is what I am doing at the moment*.

We have kinda the diploma system but its for Enrolled nurses *LPN I think would be the equiv* and that is only just coming back after many years of being out due to nursing staff shortage and needing nurses with the other skills to help again.

The bachelor of nursing *or bach of health science in nursing dependant where you go* gets you the foot in the door and allows you to register as an RN here in NZ.

[Timmy]

In Australia we have:

Personal Care Attendance (PCA) – 3 Month course. They primarily work in aged care and home help type jobs. Medical scope is pretty limited to basic vitals, basic patient care and medications administration via a Webster pack.

Registered Nurse Division 2 – Diploma Course. Its a little longer than one year full time class room or 2 years hospital based. There's really not a massive difference between Div 2s and Div 1s. They can give meds, IMI, can't cannulate but can maintain the drip and administer meds. These guys are the team leaders of high care aged care facilities but also work in ED, Acute, Surgical. Your suppose to be under supervision of RN 1s but that hardly happens due to nursing shortages. There's also mini post grad courses you need to do to work in another area

Registered Nurse Division 1 – 3 Year degree course. Can do it all pretty much. Can work in most areas but there pushing for post grads to work in specialised areas.

I'm doing the hospital based diploma which I love. I'm employed by the hospital, they pay for the course and so on. I work 5 shifts a week with one day in class. We do 4 month rotations in different departments. I rotate between Aged Care, Community Health and Acute/ED. We also do placement in other hospitals in specialised departments like oncology ect because my hospital doesn't offer these services, only down side I don't get paid for 5 weeks. I plan on doing my degree after the diploma, it's only an extra year.

[chbare]

Diploma programs have gone the way of MAST pants in the USA. Please, do yourself a favor and go through an AD or BS nursing program. In addition, ensure the program is NLN credentialed or you could have serious problems with reciprocity and military service.

Take care,

chbare.