2-3 Year Nursing Diploma against 4 Year Nursing Degree

Introduction

            There are two options that are available for someone who would want to become a Registered Nurse (RN). One can choose to either go for the 2-3 year nursing diploma program or a 4 year bachelor’s degree program.  There is no major difference between the two options except that the diploma one would take shorter time and Bachelor’s degree would take more time. Nursing is one of the courses that are highly in demand in the United States (Fisher, 2014).

            This paper examines the reasons why a diploma degree that can take 2-3 years may be preferred as opposed to a bachelor nursing degree that is a 4 year program.

Nursing Diploma Degree

            According to the statistics that was carried out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it was found out that job opportunities for the Licensed Practical Nurses are expected to continue growing all through to the year 2020. The statistics makes nursing one of the most marketable courses in the United States.  Before a student becomes a Licensed Practical Nurse, he or she is supposed to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam. Sitting for the exam requires a student to first go through either a diploma degree or a Bachelor degree.  Considering the fact that whichever the option a person decides to take, both of them would lead him or her to sit for the NCLEX papers and eventually become a nurse.  A student that is interested in becoming a nurse and would not wish to take much of his or time studying is advised to go for diploma degree program that can take between two and three years.  As compared to the Bachelor Nursing degree, the diploma program is less costly (Fisher, 2014).

Requirements for Nursing Diploma Degree

            Becoming a Nursing Diploma Degree requires one to attain a minimum academic experience, generally a high school certificate. In most cases these degrees are offered by either hospitals or schools that are closely linked to a hospital. Working in a hospital environment would offer a student an opportunity to gain the most needed experience in the field as compared to the Bachelor Nursing Degree that is offered mostly in colleges and universities.

Learning as you gain experience would offer a competitive advantage to the student pursuing a diploma in nursing. Furthermore employers both in public and private sectors prefer employees who are experienced. Other than the experience that a diploma holder would possess, there are also no prerequisites that a student is required to pass before being admitted to the program.  Before students are enrolled for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program, first year and second year students are supposed to pass one or more prerequisite exams.  Some examples of prerequisites include health care ethics, pharmacology, and human anatomy which are quite challenging exams to pass (Fisher, 2014).

Nursing Diploma Program Information

            Nursing diploma comes in two different forms. The first one is made up of studies in physiology and anatomy, technical nursing competencies, strategies to care for patients, and health care administration. The first form of diploma in nursing program is basically about introducing the students to the core of nursing career.  The second form of diploma in nursing introduces the students to psychology, microbiology, healthcare informatics and other fields that are related to nursing just to offer broader understanding of the course by the students. Depending on the school or hospital, the course would require a commitment of two to three years from the student. 

A standard diploma program would require a student to take between seven and ten credits in every semester. Those students who prefer an accelerated can take more than ten credits per semester to enable them complete the program within the shortest time possible.  As compared to Bachelor of Science in Nursing that takes a minimum of four years and costly, nursing diploma programs are less costly. Standard nursing diploma program is approximated to cost between $20,000, however, in some cases it would cost much less than that.  Upon completion of the nursing diploma program, successful candidates are legible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam and eventually become a licensed practical nurse. Although some students after finishing diploma program normally opt for registering for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, but failing to register for the BSN program.  It is important to note that a student that has got a diploma in nursing can enter the workforce as they will qualify for the entry-level positions at clinics, hospitals or better still doctor’s offices (Fisher, 2014).

Conclusion

            Both holders of Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and Nursing diploma certificate have got the same opportunity of becoming a Nurse.  If a student is committed in other is committed in other issues and is having limited finances, then diploma would be the better choice for such a student. Nursing Diploma provides an ample ground for introduction especially aspiring ones.  Furthermore; historically diploma was regarded as the mandatory requirement for entering nursing field.  

References

Fisher, M. (2014). A Comparison of Professional Value Development among Pre-Licensure Nursing Students in Associate Degree, Diploma, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs. Nursing Education Perspectives (National League for Nursing), 35(1), 37-42. doi:10.5480/11-729.1