Degree or Diploma?

I currently have an offer from a university for a degree in veterinary nursing, but I also have the opportunity to study for a diploma instead. A diploma would be easier to get than a degree and closer to home. Would a diploma make me less employable?

Reply 1

Tenrec

3

It would depend on where you wanted to work really, If you want to just be in a fairly small, small animal practice it probably wouldn't make much of a difference providing you still became RVN but many of the larger practices and equine and farm practices would generally look for more specialist qualifications so that you can manage anesthesia and do a bit more in the clinical context. This is just what I have generally seen in practice.
I would think a degree would be better but its really up to you, you could ask graduates/students an see what they think and how they compare.

Reply 2

UlaGreyWolf

OP

10

Another thing is would I be a post graduate after a diploma?

Reply 3

Klix88

17

Original post by UlaGreyWolf

Another thing is would I be a post graduate after a diploma?

Only if it's a postgraduate diploma - which it can't be, if it's easier than the degree.

If you did the degree, you'd be a graduate afterwards. You only be become a postgraduate when you go on to further study after an undergraduate degree.

You need to research your chosen career path. Some options will require a degree, so settling for a lower diploma will close a range of future options.

Reply 4

Klix88

17

This information should help:
http://www.rcvs.org.uk/education/i-want-to-be-a-veterinary-nurse/

The diploma is lower than uni-level and is listed as a Level 3 qualification - the equivalent of A Levels. So you won't be a graduate if you get the diploma.

You need to decide which will suit you best. If you have the capacity for uni - which you do, as you hold an offer - future employers might wonder why you took an easier and lower qualification.

Reply 5

UlaGreyWolf

OP

10

Are there opportunities to progress from a diploma to higher qualifications? I'm more of a practical learner therefore I feel a diploma would be best for me, but I don't want to be stuck in a dead end job.

Reply 6

Klix88

17

Original post by UlaGreyWolf

Are there opportunities to progress from a diploma to higher qualifications? I'm more of a practical learner therefore I feel a diploma would be best for me, but I don't want to be stuck in a dead end job.

If you follow the link in my post above, it describes the different ways that you can qualify as a veterinary nurse. The vocational diploma route would be one of the routes into the career. There would be nothing to stop you from doing a degree at some point in the future, after the diploma.

Bear in mind that as a Level 3 qualification, you wouldn't get any Student Finance while you were studying for it. You need to look at whether you can afford the fees, the travel costs and whether your parents will need you to contribute to your upkeep.

Reply 7

ch0c0h01ic

18

Original post by UlaGreyWolf

I currently have an offer from a university for a degree in veterinary nursing, but I also have the opportunity to study for a diploma instead. A diploma would be easier to get than a degree and closer to home. Would a diploma make me less employable?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both routes.

The degree route is generally more academic and a few institutions "prefer" the degree route, such as the vet schools and some referral centres. However, you will have to commit to a substantial amount of student debt.

The diploma route is more vocational, which suits some people better than others, and they are still widely accepted. The main benefit is that the diploma route enables you to earn a wage as a student nurse while your study. *The exception to this is if you cannot secure a training position within a practice but even then the college fees at the moment are substantially less than university tuition fees, maintenance loans and so forth.*

Good, experienced nurses are in short supply. While places like the Willows or vet schools "prefer" nursing degree grads these places are not "barred" to diploma holders, certainly not in today's market. A good friend of mine holds a senior role in one of said institutions despite being "only" a diploma holder.

Some people will be bloody good nurses and managers regardless of whether they hold a degree or a diploma!

Your employability is as much about your attitude, ability to work with others and your experience as it is your qualifications (if not more so).

Original post by Tenrec

It would depend on where you wanted to work really, If you want to just be in a fairly small, small animal practice it probably wouldn't make much of a difference providing you still became RVN but many of the larger practices and equine and farm practices would generally look for more specialist qualifications so that you can manage anesthesia and do a bit more in the clinical context. This is just what I have generally seen in practice.

Talking from a "larger practice" perspective what you want is good, experienced, easy to work with nurses. Diploma or degree is a relatively small part of the equation. We have no preference.

As far as clinical skills and experience goes that is largely determined by the quality and length of your placements, not the institution that you study under. Hence our students are far more experienced and capable than most of the "experienced" degree holders we have employed in the past or come to interview.

Original post by UlaGreyWolf

Are there opportunities to progress from a diploma to higher qualifications? I'm more of a practical learner therefore I feel a diploma would be best for me, but I don't want to be stuck in a dead end job.

Absolutely.

You can study for advanced diplomas, part time degrees, postgraduate certificates, etc.

Most progressive employers will support this.

Original post by Klix88

Bear in mind that as a Level 3 qualification, you wouldn't get any Student Finance while you were studying for it. You need to look at whether you can afford the fees, the travel costs and whether your parents will need you to contribute to your upkeep.

Sure, then again most vet nursing college fees are less than half that of university tuition fees, ignoring the fact that most employers will meet these costs while also paying a training wage/salary.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 8

UlaGreyWolf

OP

10

Thank you, that is an amazingly detailed response and has really helped me feel more secure about taking the diploma, I am considering a university closer to home, which I have just partaken in an interview for, as my first choice if they give me an offer, but if not I shall be taking the diploma rather than going to a university so far away.

Reply 9

ch0c0h01ic

18

Original post by UlaGreyWolf

Thank you, that is an amazingly detailed response and has really helped me feel more secure about taking the diploma, I am considering a university closer to home, which I have just partaken in an interview for, as my first choice if they give me an offer, but if not I shall be taking the diploma rather than going to a university so far away.

I am directly involved with the training of student nurses in our company so I have a much greater appreciation and understanding of what they can and can't do!

One extra point regarding practice placements...

Even practice placements on diploma courses can be competitive and I have heard of some students paying their own college fees or even working for free. For some people this is necessary to get their foot in the door (I had to do much the same as a vet student). However if you are not offered a contract/job after a year I would consider moving on - if you're useless they should have sacked you by then and if you aren't I would be suspicious that they're taking advantage of the situation.