A diploma in nursing or nursing diploma is a one-three year entry-level tertiary education nursing credential. It prepares a student nurse or entry-level nursing positions. In this article, we’ll be providing details on how to get a diploma in nursing.
This diploma is usually awarded by hospital-based nursing schools. Students awarded a Diploma in Nursing are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
See the table of contents below.
What Is A Diploma In Nursing?
A Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level tertiary education nursing credential.
This program was once the traditional path to nursing education. Once upon a time, all nurses were trained in hospital-based nursing schools where they mixed academics with hands-on learning and seamlessly transitioned to staff nurses upon graduation. Though they continue to deliver excellent nursing options.
The nursing diploma curriculum covers prerequisite courses prior to the start of the nursing coursework, the nursing-specific courses include:
- Clinical practice
- Basic pharmacology
- Nursing informatics
- Elements of patient care
- Introduction to patient care specialties
- Psych nursing
- Lifespan nursing concepts (infant, child, adult, family, geriatric)
- Psychology/sociology
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Is a diploma in nursing equivalent to a degree?
Nursing diploma or certificate programs have gradually declined in popularity over the last few decades. These programs, which typically last 18-32 months, prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required for Nursing state academic degrees.
Nursing degrees on the other hand include general education courses, whereas diploma programs concentrate on nursing concepts and clinical practice. They contain more clinical hours, which essentially serve as apprenticeships.
However, employers increasingly prefer candidates with full degrees, diplomas, and certificates. This makes these certificates increasingly scarce.
RN diploma and certificate holders are nonetheless eligible for licensure in the same way as other RNs, provided the program is approved by the state licensing board.
If you want to work in the field of nursing, you have several options in terms of the type of degree you can obtain. The more education you receive, the better off you will be.
The more career opportunities you have, the more money you will make. A nursing diploma is a good place to start your nursing career, but registered nurses (RNs) are preferred. Those who pursue BSN degrees in nursing have more career options and command higher salaries.
While there are numerous RN to BSN programs available, it is important to find one that fits your schedule and budget while also meeting your career objectives.
Areas of Specialization In Nursing Diploma
Nursing diplomas, like other nursing degrees, require you to select a specialization. This will enable you to obtain the unique knowledge, skills, and protocol that are linked with the many types of nursing.
The following are the four main specialties from which a student nurse might choose:
- Adult nursing
- Child nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Learning disability nursing
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Adult nursing
Adult nurses specialize in areas such as women’s health, accident and emergency, critical care, practice nursing, and health visiting by taking additional courses.
Children’s nursing
This particular area of specialization involves school nursing, acute care, child protection, and cancer care. As a children’s nurse (or pediatric nurse) you’ll play a key role in assessing the nursing needs of the child, taking into account their medical, social, cultural, and family circumstances.
Learning disability nursing
Learning disability nurses work to render specialist healthcare and support to people with a learning disability, as well as their families and staff teams, to help them live a fulfilling life.
Mental health nursing
Mental health nursing, also known as psychiatric nursing, is a specialized field of nursing practice that requires the care of individuals with a mental health disorder to help them recover and improve their quality of life.
These nurses have high knowledge of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders that helps them provide specialized care.
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Why Should I Earn A Diploma In Nursing?
The quickest way to qualify for an entry-level nursing position is to obtain a diploma in nursing. RN certification is intended to get students into the nursing field as soon as possible. Prerequisites vary by program, but most require a high school diploma.
RNs are responsible for basic nursing duties. These can include taking notes on patient symptoms, operating basic medical equipment, and educating patients about diseases and illnesses. You’ll also collaborate on patient care with doctors and other nurses.
By obtaining a diploma in nursing, you’ll learn how to provide basic healthcare services and assist patients with daily tasks. Other typical responsibilities include:
- Transferring patients in and out of bed
- Bathing and feeding patients
- Taking vital signs
- Recording patient data
- Communicating with family members
- Changing bedding
Emergency procedures, personal care skills, and infection control are all covered in the curriculum. You can also earn voluntary certification in specialized areas such as psychiatry or geriatrics to broaden your employment options.
If you fall into one of the following categories, an RN certificate may be right for you.
- Recent high school graduates seeking a nursing career but unable to attend a traditional college program.
- Future nurses who want to gain experience before applying to a more advanced nursing program can do so.
- Career changers interested in learning more about the various opportunities in healthcare
- Parents, caregivers, and those with other obligations that necessitate a flexible schedule
What Can You Do With A Diploma In Nursing?
Studying for a nursing diploma is one of the greatest ways to start a career as a nurse.
Those who obtain a diploma in nursing may pursue careers as nursing assistants, healthcare aides, or members of a facility’s patient-care staff. Graduates may find work in home healthcare, nursing homes, hospitals, group shelters, or private residences.
This diploma is an excellent stepping stone to other advanced degrees for those looking to further their education. With additional education and training, Graduates may go on to become registered nurses after completing their education.
How Much Can I Earn With A Diploma In Nursing?
RNs earn an average annual wage of $30,720 across the country, the salary of a diploma nurse is almost the same.
Diploma RNs typically earn less than RNs with bachelor’s or master’s degrees, but the same as or close to an RN with an associate degree.
How Long Does It Take To Complete A Diploma In Nursing Program?
It will only take a few months of study and clinical work to obtain your RN diploma. In general, most programs take about 75 hours to complete.
Nevertheless, the duration of a diploma in a nursing program depends on which career path works best for you. as a nursing student, you will take many courses and receive instruction on everything you will need to succeed in the future.
How Much Does It Cost to get a diploma in nursing?
This is a difficult question with no definite answer. Tuition rates for nursing degrees vary greatly. Many aspiring nurses believe that the high earning potential of the profession outweighs the high costs of a nursing school for professionals.
Nonetheless, the total tuition costs can range from $6,000 to $10000 for an associate degree.
Because associate degrees in nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing are only two years long, they are generally the most affordable. At state universities,students may pay between $3,000 to $10,000 per year, or between $6,000 and $20,000 total for the degree. Tuition at private universities is typically higher.
How Can I Get A Diploma In Nursing In 2024? Step-by-Step Guide
Nursing diplomas are hospital-based programs providing intensive hands-on training alongside nursing coursework. The program also requires co-requisite classes in areas such as anatomy, biology, and psychology at a traditional educational institution.
Nursing diplomas, like any other qualification, have particular entry requirements that prospective students must meet in order to be accepted. These will vary to some amount depending on the course and institution.
While every RN goes through the same process to obtain licensure, the specific requirements vary. The steps required to become a registered nurse are outlined in the following list.
10 Best Diploma In Nursing Programs In 2024
#1 Duke University
Duke University, widely regarded as one of the world’s best research institutions, offers some of the best nursing programs.
To be eligible for this program, applicants must first have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. However, completion is required, and students must complete
800 hours of clinical experience before graduating. The program’s outcomes are also extremely positive. The program requires only 58 credits to complete.
#2 Georgetown University
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. is one of the country’s oldest private institutions and has a well-established and well-respected nursing program
The BSN program is a direct entry, which means that current high school students find out if they’ve been accepted before enrolling in college.
Georgetown. BSN students will have completed over 850 hours of clinical experience at various locations throughout Washington, D.C.and the surrounding area of Georgetown by the time they graduate.
#3 Johns Hopkins University
Graduate nursing programs are sometimes accompanied by extensive research, and John Hopkins University is widely regarded as the world’s best research university. The prestigious university does not have any undergraduate nursing programs or majors.
Anyone with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field can pursue the MSN, and graduates perform well on the NCLEX.
#4 New York University
New York University, based in New York City, is truly a global university, with students from 133 different countries and campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Students come from all over the world to pursue a top-tier education.
Nursing students at NYU have numerous undergraduate options, including a traditional BSN degree, a second-degree transfer BSN, an RN-BSN, and an accelerated BSN.
BSN program that lasts 15 months. All options produce excellent results, with recent graduates achieving an NCLEX pass rate of 99 percent.
#5 University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1740, is one of the country’s oldest universities. The school has an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, which is ideal for nursing students seeking a personalized education. Penn’s BSN students learn in a cutting-edge simulation lab, and they participate in a mentorship program to improve their experiential learning.
Penn also runs a number of study abroad programs for undergraduate students.
#6 University of Michigan
The University of Michigan, located in the college town of Ann Arbor, is one of the best places to get an undergraduate education. The BSN degree builds on over 100 years of nursing education experience at the University of Michigan, and over 13,000 U-M nursing alumni work all over the world. The school provides two entry options for first-year students: direct entry and a sophomore transfer program.
#7 University of California Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles, is well-known for producing high-caliber graduates who go on to become leaders in their fields. It is one of the best higher education institutions in the West.
Nursing courses in the university’s BSN degree program lay the groundwork for either a rewarding nursing career or the pursuit of a master’s degree. UCLA’s MSN programs are widely regarded as one of the best in the country.
#8 University of Washington
The University of Washington is located in Seattle with several unique advantages for infirmarians. First, all students get to complete clinical at dozens of sites across the region, including top-ranked hospitals like Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Secondly, nursing students can pick up innovative programs such as the accelerated BSN for Non-Infirmiers with early DNP admission, best for non-nursing graduates who want to quickly earn their doctoral degree.
#9 Emory University
Emory University of Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the world’s best schools offering a diploma in nursing.
Three options are available to renowned private schools for undergraduates: direct BSN for present secondary students, sophomore entry For existing students of Emory or Oxford College, and transfer program for students with a minimum of 60 credits.
#10 University of Maryland
The University of Maryland is a leading innovation and research university located in Baltimore. The University provides education to over 41,000 school children every year and is situated in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. Students and nurses for the future. The BSN of UM emphasizes the leadership of nurses and uses state-of-the-art educational facilities. It takes just two years to finish the program,
However, the first two years of introductory courses are necessary for students.
Final Thoughts
A nursing diploma is an excellent way to begin your nursing profession. Because of their ease of access, they are an excellent first step for those who do not have the needed educational background for a degree program.
Nursing diplomas provide the theoretical and practical skills for individuals to begin the journey to any form of nursing.
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