Veterinary nursing - degree or diploma?

Hey,

I’m really struggling to decided whether to do a degree or a diploma in veterinary nursing.
I like the idea of the diploma as it is more practical and less money/time but I also like the degree side as you come out with a degree and I guess it’s valued higher??
I’m 23 so I’m not sure how much a diploma course would be, it’s something I obviously need to find out.
Has anyone got any advice on this?
Thanks!!

Hey,

I’m really struggling to decided whether to do a degree or a diploma in veterinary nursing.
I like the idea of the diploma as it is more practical and less money/time but I also like the degree side as you come out with a degree and I guess it’s valued higher??
I’m 23 so I’m not sure how much a diploma course would be, it’s something I obviously need to find out.
Has anyone got any advice on this?
Thanks!!

Personally I value the diploma more than the degree, I think you end up as a better practical nurse. If you can find a training practice it often doesn't cost anything as your employer pays, you also get paid a wage. Win win and no student debt!

I knew I’d get a sort of equal response to both options 😂 thank you guys for giving me your opinions!

I knew I’d get a sort of equal response to both options 😂 thank you guys for giving me your opinions!

Hey,

I’m really struggling to decided whether to do a degree or a diploma in veterinary nursing.
I like the idea of the diploma as it is more practical and less money/time but I also like the degree side as you come out with a degree and I guess it’s valued higher??
I’m 23 so I’m not sure how much a diploma course would be, it’s something I obviously need to find out.
Has anyone got any advice on this?
Thanks!!

Hi,

I agree with everything that has been said above. I done the diploma route, so feel free to ask any questions. Be aware though that not all diploma placements are paid, it depends if the course you are on is classed as an apprenticeship or not, so I would speak to the college about it. SVN's on uni placements rarely get paid at all.

Both routes have their plus and minuses, but at the end of the day you will still be an RVN, and as already said, both diploma and degree nurses are equally employable and mostly have equal opportunities. I think there used to be a stigma (and maybe there still is?), that degree nurses have less practical skills than diploma nurses, but I wouldn't let this put you off because even if you did feel you had less practical experience after graduating, you would soon catch up within months- if not weeks- of starting your RVN job.

It also depends if you are bothered about having the whole uni experience, it could be a good opportunity for you to move out, move to a different city etc. But remember if you choose the degree route then you would have to fund any future degrees yourself (just something to bear in mind)

I think the only time I have seen diploma nurses at a disadvantage is when they go for any teaching posts (you may be restricted in what modules you can teach), or I have noticed that some referral practices specify that they want a degree nurse (however practices can often not afford to be this picky anyway due to the national shortage of nurses, and it's just luck as to what other applicants you would be against).

Paid placements for the diploma are like gold dust, so if you can find one then go for it! But on the other hand going to university is a great opportunity, and takes the pressure off getting your foot in the profession.

I could go on and on! Like I say, feel free to drop me a message if you wish

Bear in mind that @weeemma is a degree student nurse and myself and @ch0c0h01ic are both vets. I was a practice owner and employer for 25 years as well. I employed nurses both as clinical nurses and also as practice managers. None of the nurses who managed branches for me had a degree. They had learnt their skills on the shop floor doing the job.

Wow thank you for such a lengthy and informative response! I'm not really bothered about the Uni experience however I think I have a place at a local college that offers the degree so it wouldn't really change either way for me the experience as I wouldn't live in halls and would just commute.

I don't think I would go into the teaching route either and I know that with the degree you can specialise and teach, so the diploma route seems more for me.

My family want me to do the degree because of it being a ~degree~ but I know obviously it's my choice at the end of the day. I might drop you a message tomorrow and speak to you more about your experience!

Thank you!!