Whether you are considering nursing as a first or second career, there are several options for obtaining your nursing education. While you can get an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing, it is also possible to earn a nursing diploma through a hospital-based school.

Diploma in Nursing

A diploma in nursing is a credential offered by some hospital-based nursing schools and is one way of completing the educational requirements to be licensed as a registered nurse. Registered nurses assist in the diagnosis, treatment and education of patients in a variety of health-care settings.

Admission Requirements

To enter a nursing diploma program, candidates must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some nursing schools also require that candidates pass the National League for Nursing's pre-admission exam.

Program Length

Hospital-based diploma nursing programs normally take about two to three years to complete.

Diploma vs. Degree

While a diploma in nursing will prepare you for licensure as a registered nurse, you will need a bachelor's degree in nursing to enter master's degree programs. A bachelor's degree is also required for nurses who wish to become credentialed as nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives or other advanced practice specialties.

Partnership with Community Colleges

Some diploma nursing programs partner with local community colleges to provide student nurses with additional coursework. In some cases, student nurses have the option of completing the requirements for an associate's degree while also earning their nursing diploma.

Licensing Requirements

Earning a nursing diploma is only the first step in becoming a registered nurse. After earning your diploma, you will be required to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and meet other state requirements for licensure.

Source:

DiscoverNursing.com

Bureau of Labor Statistics

AllNursingSchools.com