Irma Said:

what's the differerence between a nursing degree and a nursing Diploma?

We Answered:

Both courses are 50% practical & 50% academic. Just thought I'd clear that up straight away because I'm a degree student nurse & I get tired of hearing how "Degree nurses don't do any practical, they learn it all in a classroom.".

The academic side for degree is slightly more on depth & we have a dissertation to write in the 3rd year whereas diploma students don't. But the practical side of things is exactly the same, we all learn in the clinical skills labs at uni & out on placement.

When we qualify, diploma & degree nurses are considered equal by employers because we're fresh out of training. In the long run the degree qualification opens more doors career wise. With a degree it is easier to specialise & gain promotion. As the diploma is currently being phased out I chose the degree to give me an edge career wise. Some uni's allow you to top up your diploma to a degree in the 3rd year. I'd recommend this option if you go for diploma because if you choose to top up at a later date you'll have to pay for it yourself & fit it in around work/family etc.

Both the diploma & degree are recognised abroad but some countries only recognise the degree. I'm told the USA only employs foreign nurses if they are degree trained but I don't know for certain so don't take that as gospel. I know Australia recognises both diploma & degree though as that's where I'm planning to move to.

http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/ If you haven't already discovered this site then I highly recommend it. Some great advice & help in the forum. Good luck with your choices.

Vincent Said:

Where can I find a nursing diploma or degree in the UK that will offer me cutting edge training?

We Answered:

It depends on what area of nursing you choose to go into. Adult, Children's nursing, Learning disabilities or Mental Health.

Personally i'm trained in Mental health, and found that most of the teaching methods i encountered in university were not the most helpful, however we didn't get a general nursing year. You learned almost everything whilst on placement which meant it depended on the quality of the placements.

I have heard that London does excellent General training. Each system (England, Ireland and Scotland) allows nurses to carry out slightly different interventions so education is slightly different in each area.

The best place to go is probably a college that uses the biggest hospital offering better opportunities whilst on placement as lets face it, no university can teach you patient orientated skills.

Stirling is well known for its mental health training.

Look for a university that does allow you to specialise after a minimum of ONE year. Also try and get a 4 year course rather than a 3 year course - more time to study because 3 year programmes seem very rushed (you need 2000hrs directed study and 2000 hours on placement to qualify) therefor placements shouldn't be as crowded.

I know in scotland there is an initiative that guarantees ALL student nurses a post when they qualify. I know currently there is issues with jobs all over the country, so this might well be worth considering.

Hope thats of some help, and good luck!

Pamela Said:

I am an ex Medical assistant of IAF; How can I get a Nursing Diploma without attending regular schools?

We Answered:

Excelsior College. They offer fully accreditted nursing degrees online--if you are familiar with the material, all you have to do is pass several tests, and voila! They are entirely online and can be completed anywhere in the world. excelsior.edu Check it out!

Stacy Said:

Difference between Adult Nursing diploma and degree, and graduate medicine from both?

We Answered:

If you want to be a doctor there is no point in being a nurse first. One education has nothing to do with the other. Getting a nursing degree would be a waste of time if that is not what you are aiming for. If you plan on being a doctor then go to med school and skip the nursing school step.

Emily Said:

When are the vacations for during a nursing diploma when you start in Feb/ March?

We Answered:

Have you been accepted for a nursing diploma starting in march? I live in Scotland and they no longer having nursing diplomas as they have been raised to nursing degrees. The nursing course does not get the same holidays as the rest of the unis as you go out in work placements throughout the study and you get 2 weeks holiday the same as the working person. here in Scotland it is too late to apply for starting in feb/march as it is usually the year before you have to apply.