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Would doing a nursing degree rather than a diploma result in better opportunities?

What is the actual difference between the two course and job prospects after? I understand the academic qualification is different but what implications does this have?!

Reply 1

InArduisFouette

absolutely no difference at the point of getting your first job and by the time having a degree is important having speciality relevant courses and/or SLIP/ Mentorship is just as important.

Reply 2

Larrabee

If you don't do the degree straight off, you will need to top up to it once you are working, when it will be much harder to fit in study and assignment writing. Most of the nurses I work with wish they'd got it out of the way at the beginning of their careers.

Reply 3

InArduisFouette

Original post by Larrabee

i'd dispute that as would a number of my colleagues .

Reply 4

amyamy

Original post by Laura_Anne

What is the actual difference between the two course and job prospects after? I understand the academic qualification is different but what implications does this have?!

the diploma is being phased out and if you do one now, you will end up having to top up to a degree (probably a year or so's course alongside your full time job) within the next 5-10 years, possibly even sooner so i guess it just depends on whether you would rather just get it out of the way sooner or later!!

Reply 5

Larrabee

Original post by zippyRN

i'd dispute that as would a number of my colleagues .

Dispute what?

I'm only relating people's experiences, if yours differ they differ, it doesn't mean mine aren't valid!

Reply 6

member398873

I know nothing about my nursing, but my mum is a Ward Sister with a diploma and she comes home moaning about having to top it up to a degree.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 7

jotini

Undoubtedly a degree would stand you in better stead, not only by what others think of you but the wealth of knowledge you would gain - which can only be an asset in that field.

You're more likely to get a higher ranking job with a degree + experience than with a diploma + experience

Reply 8

Mintie93

From what i've heard theres not much differences in the start. However if you want to get a higher position you would need a degree, escpielly now as its degree only starting 2013.

Reply 9

InArduisFouette

i'll say it again

once having a degree is important having speciality specific and/or SLiP /mentorship is just as important.

Reply 10

Subcutaneous

Original post by zippyRN

i'll say it again

once having a degree is important having speciality specific and/or SLiP /mentorship is just as important.

Yes but if you have all of that and no degree, in 2-3 years time..you won't be able to get to band 6 and in most places now you can't

Reply 11

InArduisFouette

Original post by Subcutaneous

Yes but if you have all of that and no degree, in 2-3 years time..you won't be able to get to band 6 and in most places now you can't

which is a circular argument because if you have a 'plain' dipHE , SLiP (30 credits) dissertation ( 30 -60 credits) and another couple of modules = topped up and if you did Advanced Diploma it;s even less i.e. the Sheffiled Adv Dip you did a 20 credit research methods and a your dissertation was 40 credits = topped up, so speciality specific and SLiP @level 6 = extras or towards a second bachelors or you do it at Level 7 towards a PGCert or your masters.

without both you will not be a credible candidate for a band 6 role or any nature - if it;s Senior Staff Nurse band 6 role you need to be showing development towards advanced practice and have SLip, a Charge Nurse / Sister post @ band 6 you'll be shoing competence in speciality and management skills and Education posts SLiP and a bachelors won't cut it they'll be looking for a Masters

Reply 12

dani_88

Just because you start on degree doesn't mean you'll come away with degree and ditto for diploma. Plenty of people move up and plenty decide not to go for the degree. And circumstances affect many peoples decisions, i know currently finances are a big decider in whether people stay on diploma or do the degree. Either way, degree or diploma, you all qualify as staff nurses.

I'm with zippy on this one though... there's plenty of other courses you need to do once you're qualified in order to progress and many of them count as modules towards degree status anyway.

Deal with career progression once you're in that position..because there's a bloody long road ahead just to get that far.

Reply 13

davey jones

its a **** load of debt to accept for very little benefit. Having done the top up, I admit it is a bit of a ball ache, but I now have RN BHSc (Hons) and it makes no difference to when I was just RN. If the prices were the same (in terms of bursary and loan), I would say get the degree out of the way because you will end up having to do it. But they aren't, so I would say get the same thing for free. So I am 2 years qualified with degree, specialist knowledge, specialist modules and no debt and still think nursing is a simple job for simple folk (like me).