
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Diploma in Nursing
Introduction
Overview
Overview
A Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level tertiary education nursing degree.
In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by hospital-based nursing schools. Students awarded a Diploma in Nursing are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
At one time, all nurses in the United States were diploma-prepared. The Cherry Ames series of children’s books was created to encourage girls to go into the nursing profession during World War II. She was a “hospital diploma” nurse.
Although the number of hospital-based nursing schools continues to decrease, many still exist. Some require that non-nursing prerequisite courses be completed at another school prior to admission or coordinate their program with classes at a nearby school, though many are still self-contained.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Michelle Lew
