Degree or Diploma?!....

Re: Degree or Diploma?!....

LBates — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:38:47 GMT

Brilliant!

Thank you so much - Yes I have the same opinion as you, and am really keen on doing the degree course. Have spoken to several different people who have also recommended the degree.

I am aware of the hardships and sacrifices, but it's something I really want to do!

Thank you xx

Re: Degree or Diploma?!....

bongo — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:49:22 GMT

At the end of the day it is entirely up to you and there are pros and cons of each. You get the experience of going to university which think is priceless and develops you so much as a person especially if you are not already quite independant, plus you make friends for life at uni. Some of the modules which you will do with the degree will put you in good stead for lifelong learning and you will learn to be critical of your approaches to nursing.

Alternatively the diploma will allow you to train on the job which many people would prefer and this is the main difference. Employment wise I dont think that there is any advantage to either of them.

I did the NVQ (now the diploma) only because I already had a degree. If I knew then what I know now about what I wanted to do with my life I would have done the vet nursing degree hands down. As I said before though it is entirely up to you and you also have to think about things like student loans etc.

Good Luck!

Re: Degree or Diploma?!....

Rachel B — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:41:15 GMT

[quote user="NJ_VN"]

Hi!

I think basically it depends what you want from the course. The degree gives you the "university experience" which is great, and it is incredibly in depth. That being said, you wont need to use that depth of knowledge on a day to day basis at practice. I did the degree because i wanted to go to university and have that experience,and because I love to learn new things for the sake of learning. I loved it! Its really hard work (but so is any training in this profession) but if you are dedicated and appreciate you will have to make sacrifices over the 3 years (no money, no time off etc) its completely worth it. Don't be put off if people tell you you are less likely to be employed as a degree nurse.. every single one of the girls who graduated with me had full time work by the time we graduated.

I think either route will get you there, its just how you want to travel! good luck xx

[/quote]

Pretty much exactly this!

I went and did the degree route at the RVC, partly because i know what i am like and the thought of being stuck at a vet nurse forever worried me, i mainly wanted the degree to have thta bit of flexability should i want it at some point (though dont get me wrong, i love this job and cant see me wanting to change any time soon!)

People do vary, i've worked with some people who were adamantly against degree nurses (she was a bit of a stick in the mud!) and people like my current boss who has seemingly changed his opinion of us degree nurses since having myself and my predecessor train with them...so theres all sorts of people out there. I really do think it depends mostly on YOU, i use a heck of alot of the stuff i learnt at uni and i feel like i retained it alot better because of the way i was taught, not sure that the working/training on the go would suit me personally, i liked to have the time to learn the theory, then putting it into practice.

The one good point about the university route, or at least it was for me, was that you dont actually have to arrange your own placements, the university did it all for me and though i was lucky and had a good practice which i returned to for most my training, it can be the hardest part about getting into the diploma, actually finding a practice that will take you on full time as a student is getting increasingly hard, especially if you're fresh from school...

So basically i think its dowen to how you think you'll learn best, and that does vary from univeristy to university so even choosing the right university for you can help :)

hope at least some of this was helpful! x

Re: Degree or Diploma?!....

NJ_VN — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:30:21 GMT

Hi!

I think either route will get you there, its just how you want to travel! good luck xx

Re: Degree or Diploma?!....

Alia — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:09:36 GMT

Do a quick search on here, many many threads on this subject which should help.