nursing diploma or degree

[ilovemarkb]

this is driving us nuts on our access course! Any nurses out there who can advise please? And is it true that its the healthcare assistants that do all the hands on nursing?

[bednobs]

i will give you my opinion, but be aware it is just an opinion.

If you don't do a degree now, you will have to at some point in your career. As nursing is going to become an all-graduate profession, as your career progresses you will find yourself unable to compete for more senior jobs against peple who have a degree. It is much easier to get a degree now that when you are working full time, believe me!
I believe that in some places you can start off doing the diploma (thus getting the bursary) and switch to the degree at the end of it, and do another year (i think).

as for your second question, it depends what you class as "nursing care" in a modern ward for example, (i have just come out of hospital) the hca's did all the obs, blood tests, ecg's, dressings (following a care plan written by the nurse), answered all of the bells, helped people walk to the loo, did most of the personal care. The qualified nurses did all the tablets, doctors round and discharge planning, and also spent more time with the iller patients. CVP lines for example were only seen to by the qualified nurses. this was an orthopaedic ward. I have been very lucky in my career to have worked on wards with a high ratio of qualified staff. This meant that you had to do the above yourself. You can learn so much about someone just by helping them with a wash

[ilovemarkb]

thanks bedknobs! Im 41 so its crucial that im taking the right career path! Do you see a problem with doing a diploma for 1st 2 yrs, then swapping to degree in the third year?

[rov1200]

I have a relative who is doing the new diploma at college. She finishes the course next year but already is going to open evenings at South Bank University with a view to taking a degree. Therefore they take a diploma instead of A levels for entrance to the course. She needs extra tuition in Maths though in order to reach the desired standard.
In the past ONC and OND were all the requirements necessary but you had to have achieved a pass mark of 60% in 3 of the subjects.

[rov1200]

Why not ask for a prospectus when they come out at your intended university. This will state the entrance requirements and the type of courses on offer.

Also as you are 41 by the time you have finished university you will be in your late 40's. Then you will have a number of years nurse training. Maybe you should check with the nursing profession about your suitability and ageism does not come into your employment. I know colleges always have places for mature students but in the workplace you may meet with more obstacles.

[bednobs]

i don't knw that that is true - an access course is usually a year, then nurse training three which makes mid-forties to me. When i trained, someone in their fifties wsa doing the training, and the mature students seemed to get jobs easier.
personally i think it makes sense to do the diploma and switch because 1, you get the bursary and 2 if you are not totally confident academically, it makes sense to aim lower to egin with, then see if you are comfy working at that level. )I'm not suggesting you are thick or anything by the way, just if you've been out of education for a while it might feel bettter to start smaller)

[foodluva]

I qualified in 2008. I did the diploma and opted to do my degree in the 3rd year. I am 38. I agree with Bednobs. The degree is worth the extra work and it is far easier to do it when you're a student than after you've qualified. If you want the good jobs, you will get nowhere without it. In my ward staff nurses help with the hands on care as long as they are not tied up with other things.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks everyone for anwsers! I.d love to do the degree staight away but do worry that academically i may struggle. My safest bet would probably to do the diploma then if my pass.s are high enough swap over to the degree. The access course im doing is fantastic and hopefully prepare me for uni! Im hoping for a place in september2010, so would be qualified september 2013 (i.ll be 44). Apparently lots of applicants are in their 40.s so hopefully i wont feel like the only oldie, in fact after speaking to the nursing school this age group usually do really well!

[tinkerbell23]

hey there ive just went into my2nd year of degree...i live in scotland...and diploma isnt an option now!

as far as i hear (just hearsay) tha its better this way...plus its the same length of time..3yrs and most likely degree candidate will get the job over dipoma...i dont think u can switch? not sure though.

on my placementsi can safely say i have been VERY hands on (lol!!) i did feel not very "nursey" in my care home but after that in the hospital and out with health visitors i did. iv been allowed to inject, give persaries, remove tubes, admin drugs...you name it

anthin i can help with just shout....good luck

ps here u can do access for 1 year that takes you right into 2nd year at uni...and for the record..i am NOT academic AT ALL!! xx

[tinkerbell23]

ps there are 40 and 50 year olds on my course....lots of pepole are older than me...im 22 x