Best pathway to become a nurse?

[andrew_chan]

hey guys,

just trying to figure out what to do this year...

i'm thinking of becoming a nurse one day but which pathway do you guys reckon is better?

the diploma in nursing pathway (division 2) or the bachelors degree pathway (division 1)?

which pathway has better employment prospects after graduation and which pathway is cheaper and more time efficient?

if you want to be a RN (division 1) what are the benefits in doing your diploma first and then going to uni to become an RN (division 1)?

Is there midyear entry typically for the diploma in nursing?

any help would be much appreciated!

thanks,
andrew_chan

[heids]

I'm starting a full bachelor's this year, but did contemplate doing div 2 then div 1.

The Div 1 pathway is more efficient time-wise (three years rather than 1 1/2 + 2), I don't know about cost-wise.  But you can start diplomas most places midyear.  The benefit of doing the diploma pathway is that you can then get a div 2 job (lower pay and slightly lower responsibilities) and work for as long as you like to get some decent money and experience before going onto your 2-year div 1.  Plus this may give you decent part time work for the rest of uni.

But I feel that the pathway is mainly there for the people that a) don't ever intend to do div 1 but finally decide they should or b) don't get the scores to get into their desired div 1 course.