Diploma Nurse to BSN ? A Good Idea?

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.my-nursing-career.com/nursing-school/diploma-nurse-bsn-good-idea/)
The diploma nurse and the associate-degree nurse (ASN) receive essentially the same education. Diploma nurses get their professional entry-level training at a hospital-based nursing school, after which they may take the NCLEX-RN examination and apply for a license as a Registered Nurse (RN). Both diploma programs and ASN programs take about two years. While the number of nursing schools based in hospitals has decreased, but they do still exist. Some require applicants to complete their non-nursing educational prerequisites at other schools before admission.

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is also an entry-level nursing degree, and it can usually be earned at a community college. Students who complete the ADN courses may also take the NCLEX-RN license examination. Recently, some hospital-based nursing programs have changed their course offerings to provide the ADN instead of the diploma.

The debate about whether a diploma or ADN nurse should go for the BSN has been going on since professional authorities suggested the BSN as a prerequisite for professional nursing practice in 1923. Diploma nurses and ADNs have always been very proud of their accomplishments and skills and often state that they know more about actual patient care and clinical procedures than any new BSN graduate!

However, the professional landscape for nurses has changed. The health care field is becoming more complex and technology-oriented, and there is a trend toward placing more responsibility on the shoulders of nurses. Health care is moving from a primarily hospital-centered inpatient institution to a system focused increasingly on primary and preventive care in the community.  Particularly at the entry level, a nurse needs more skills in community-based primary care, health promotion, and coordinate, cost-effective patient care.

This means that nurses must be able to function professionally both in and beyond the hospital setting. They may need to practice their profession in many different facilities, make more clinical decisions, handle case management, supervised unlicensed health care aides, and educate patients about complicated health issues. Modern nurses need to be more confident about their abilities  and more independent in their decision-making than nurses in the past.

As a result, nurses who have earned the BSN degree are better prepared to meet the needs of the modern nursing profession. The major difference between the diploma nurse or ADN and a BSN is the latter’s focus on leadership and management education and on community-based nursing. BSN degree programs prepare students to handle health promotion, prevention of disease, disease management, and patient education. As the health care field moves further and further into these areas, the demand for professionals with the BSN degree increases.

The BSN degree provides nurses with many more career advancement opportunities – and higher pay – than the diploma or ADN degrees. The health care industry faces a growing demand for nurses on the front lines of primary care, managed care, and cost-effective care. While every diploma nurse or ADN need not pursue the BSN degree – and at the initial stages of a nursing career, the benefits of the BSN may not be apparent – more education will lead to more responsibility, higher standing in the profession, and more opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries. Some states are already requiring a BSN degree for all new hires, and some industry observers believe that the diploma and ADN programs will eventually disappear altogether.

It’s possible for working nurses to earn a BSN without taking time away from their current jobs or sacrificing their regular income by enrolling in accredited online RN-to-BSN programs. And often, a current employer may provide education benefits that can be applied to cover the costs of these programs. Many four-year nursing school programs offer “fast-track” programs that allow practicing nurses with the diploma or ADN to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in about two years.

Practicing nurses must adapt to changes in the health care industry, and the best way to prepare for future changes is to obtain additional skills and more education.

Otorhinolaryngology (Head and Neck) Nurses

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://my-nursing-career.com/nursing-specialities/otorhinolaryngology-head-neck-nurses/)

Otorhinolaryngology nurses care for patients having medical and surgical procedures involving their ears, nose, and throat.

Otorhinolaryngology Nursing Jobs and Median Annual Salary

• Find all Otorhinolaryngology Nursing jobs near you.


• Otorhinolaryngology Nurses earn an average salary of $57,280.

Educational Requirements

• To become an Otorhinolaryngology Nurse, you need the following educational requirements: RN, CORLN, BSN.


• Find the right nursing degree to become a Otorhinolaryngology Nurse.


• Browse our nursing school directory.

Related Otorhinolaryngology Nursing Organizations

• American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery


• American Head and Neck Society

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Ophthalmic Nursing

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://my-nursing-career.com/nursing-specialities/ophthalmic-nursing/)

Ophthalmic nurses care for patients who have diagnosed with eye disorders. They treat conditions such as blindness, glaucoma, and eye trauma. They may be involved in a range of activities from patient education to assisting in surgery.

Ophthalmic Nursing Jobs and Median Annual Salary

• Find all Ophthalmic Nursing jobs near you.


• Ophthalmic Nurses earn an average salary of $52,330.

Educational Requirements

• To become an Ophthalmic Nurse, you need the following educational requirements: RN, CRNO.


• Find the right nursing degree to become a Ophthalmic Nurse.


• Browse our nursing school directory.

Related Ophthalmic Nursing Organizations

• American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses


• American Academy of Ophthalmology

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Oncology Nursing

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://my-nursing-career.com/nursing-specialities/oncology-nursing/)

Oncology nurses care and support patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. They administer chemotherapy and manage the symptoms related to the disease.

Oncology Nursing Jobs and Median Annual Salary

• Find all Oncology Nursing jobs near you.


• Oncology Nurses earn and average salary of $59,281.

Educational Requirements

• To become an Oncology Nurse, you need the following educational requirements: RN, AD, BSN.


• Find the right nursing degree to become a Oncology Nurse.


• Browse our nursing school directory.

Related Oncology Nursing Organizations

• Oncology Nursing Society


• International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care

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Occupational Health Nursing

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://my-nursing-career.com/nursing-specialities/occupational-health-nursing/)

Occupational Health Nurses

Occupational health nurses are responsible for on-site care of workers. They combine public health and nursing theory to prevent illness and accidents and to keep workers healthy. They also manage workers' compensation records, work to meet the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), conduct environmental surveys, and care directly for employees. They also promote health education and counsel workers.

Occupational Health Nursing Jobs and Median Annual Salary

• Find all Occupational Health Nursing jobs near you.


• Occupational Health Nurses earn and average salary of $52,330.

Educational Requirements

• To become Occupational Health Nurse, you need the following educational requirements: RN, COHN.


• Find the right nursing degree to become a Occupational Health Nurse.


• Browse our nursing school directory.

Related Organizations

• American Board for Occupational Health Nurses


• American Association of Occupational Health Nurses

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Nurse Entrepreneurs

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://my-nursing-career.com/nursing-specialities/nurse-entrepreneurs/)
Nurse entrepreneurs teach and mentor future nurses. They work in classrooms and in practice environments, prepare lessons plans, and inspiring and encouraging nursing students. They also have an impact on the quality of patient care through educating future nurses.

Nurse Entrepreneurs Jobs and Median Annual Salary

• Find all nurse entrepreneur jobs near you.


• Nurse Entrepreneurs earn and average salary of $52,330.

Educational Requirements

• To become Nurse Entrepreneurs, you need the following educational requirements: RN.


• Find the right nursing degree to become a Nurse Entrepreneur.


• Browse our nursing school directory.

Related Organizations

• National Association of Independent Nurses


• National Nurses in Business Association

Nurse Entrepreneur Books

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Nurse Educators

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://my-nursing-career.com/nursing-specialities/nurse-educators/)

Nurse educators teach and mentor future nurses. They work in classrooms and in practice environments, prepare lessons plans, and inspiring and encouraging nursing students. They also have an impact on the quality of patient care through educating future nurses.

Nurse Educators Jobs and Median Annual Salary

• Find all nurse educator jobs near you.


• Nurse Educators earn and average salary of $57,502.

Educational Requirements

• To become Nurse Educators, you need the following educational requirements: RN, CNE.


• Find the right nursing degree to become a Nurse Educator.


• Browse our nursing school directory.

Related Organizations

• National Nursing Staff Development Organization


• Nurse Educator Magazine

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