Associate Degree Nursing vs. Bachelors Science Nursing Healthcare systems and the way safe, quality health care is delivered are continually changing to better serve patients and communities. Professional nursing practice is a large component in the healthcare system today. Back in the 1960s, professional nursing leaders tried to adopt the bachelor degree programs as the only educational track to become a registered nurse (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). Due to nursing shortages and demands this motive did not hold fast. Individuals entering the nursing profession today must first decide which educational pathway to take to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Although there are studies that suggest nurses with a higher level of …show more content…
Obviously, the BSN program will take more time and money over the ADN program. Although most colleges and universities offer traditional four year nursing programs, some offer accelerated programs. It will usually cost the same, however you are able to enter the nursing profession sooner. Unlike the ADN program, “the BSN nurse is better prepared to practice in all health care settings – critical care, outpatient, public health, and mental health” (Baccalaureate Degree, 2000, para. 8). In addition to the content taught in ADN programs, the humanistic BSN education encompasses more of the physical and social sciences (Impact of Education, 2011). The BSN nurse is better prepared to work more independently, therefore is well qualified to practice in healthcare systems outside of the hospital. Bachelor programs “prepare professional nurse generalists for acute care settings, community-based practice, and beginning leadership /management positions” (Creasia & Friberg, 2011, p. 32). This course of study is crucial to the delivery of good, safe, quality patient care. There have been several research studies completed to see if there is a correlation between higher RN education level and better patient outcomes. Several studies concluded there is decrease in mortality rates within hospitals that employee a greater percentage of bachelor prepared nurses (Creating a More, 2011). There are several patient care situations within hospitals in which
preparation of the nurse BSN versus a diploma or ADN degree. Besides the difference in time,
They determined that patients needing surgery have a "substantial survival advantage" (Aiken, Clark, Cheung, Sloan, & Silber, 2003) if treated in hospitals with higher ratios of nurses educated at the baccalaureate degree level. They too determined through this research that the more nurses holding BSN degrees help decrease the risk of patients dying and the ability to determine the patient is in distress. This research provides the evidence that nurses with a BSN degree have a better comprehension in their ability to formulate nursing diagnoses and evaluate nursing interventions. (Giger & Davidhizar, 1990) BSN degree nurses also demonstrate improved professional integration and research/evaluation skills. (The Future of Nursing:Leading Change, Advancing Health, 2012)
A growing number of employers prefer BSN nurses to ADN nurses according to recent reports (Spetz and Bates, 2013). This indicates that hospitals consider nurses with a BSN to be more professional than nurses with an ADN. According to Spetz, there has been a
The researchers determined that for every 10% increase in nurses at the BSN level, there was a 4% decrease in patient death ("AACN Fact Sheet," 2012). From this study it can be ascertained that a BSN nurse can perform at a more competent and safe level for patients. The amount of knowledge regarding patient care and skills between ADN and BSN prepared nurses is very similar. The BSN however has supplemental skills in critical thinking and communication that allow them to look at and solve problems differently. A BSN is more likely to utilize evidence based practice and team problem solving to minimize their margin of error.
There is a shortage of all health care professions throughout the United States. One shortage in particular that society should be very concerned about is the shortage of Registered Nurses. Registered Nurses make up the single largest healthcare profession in the United States. A registered nurse is a vital healthcare professional that has earned a two or four year degree and has the upper-most responsibility in providing direct patient care and staff management in a hospital or other treatment facilities (Registered Nurse (RN) Degree and Career Overview., 2009). This shortage issue is imperative because RN's affect everyone sometime in their lifetime. Nurses serve groups, families and individuals to foster
According to (Board of Nurse Examiners [BON], 2010) members of the profession of nursing, ADN and BSN have many requirements that are the same. They are responsible for ensuring quality of nursing, promoting the development of nursing, and demonstrating competence in nursing practice.
Education increases both clinical competency and quality care. Associate degree in Nursing can be completed in three years. It was initially started to fill the shortage of nurses. BSN degree is four year nursing education and it helps the nurses to be well- rounded academically. ADN versus BSN have been in discussion for some time now. According to “HRSA’s 2013 report, titled The U.S. Nursing Workforce, found that 55% of the RN workforce held BSN or higher degree. In a separate study conducted by National Council of State Boards of Nursing found that 61% of RN workforce in U.S. was BSN or Higher degree”
Conversely, the main difference between an ADN and a BSN degree is the emphasis on leadership and management, wellness, and community nursing. Equally important, as noted by Ellis (2006), “BSN prepared nurses possess greater knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, and risk reduction as well as illness and disease management
Bachelor degree nursing programs are highly regarded for the skilled, clinical thinking, and professionalism of nurses they provide for the community. Obtaining a baccalaureate in nursing provides the same skills and knowledge encompassed in most associate’s programs, while allowing a broadened look into research, public health, management, and humanities (AACN IENP, 2012). Many facilities are now providing incentives for nursing staff to continue their education; from tuition reimbursement, an increase in pay, and played time off for the sole purpose of education. Research has proven that with a more educated
In conclusion, near future, in order for the nurses to give effective and safe care, hospitals will require the nurses to have BSN degree. BSN nurses can grow in nursing area with more preponderant leadership skills and chances to establish a better foundation. The above reasons cause the student to better choose BSN program.
The BSN program of nursing concentrates on studies that affect the patient as a whole. They are able to perceive and comprehend the nature and significance of each individual in their care. Nurses with their BSN degree are trained in skills to include case management, leadership, critical thinking and health promotion for the betterment of the patient. They are able to apply the skills acquired during their education to both inpatient and outpatient scenarios (Rosseter, 2011, ¶ 1). Having nurses with a BSN degree will benefit patients across the spectrum due
The differentiation of the expected competencies from each of these programs is quite different. BSN programs focuses on the importance of a liberal education, nursing research and community health nursing. They can make clinical judgments based on solid, scientific rationales whereas ADN consists of concentrated study focused on clinical skills and they are more task oriented.
Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN)-Overviews Nursing is medicinal field that helps students to figure out how to assist the doctors and patients. Obtaining your Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) is an awesome approach to begin a profession in nursing! It is also the most widely recognized strategy for entering the nursing profession. An associate's degree in nursing (ADN) will give you a solid profession establishment in the social insurance field.
The minimum level of nursing education required for nursing jobs has been a topic of discussion for a several decade now. The Council of State Board of Nursing reported in their most recent statistics that Associate Registered Nurses accounted for 58.4% of the workforce while only 38.4% have a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in the United States. The issue is that recommendations have been made to shut down the existing pipeline of Associate Nurses (AN) to that of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The goal of this change is to transition the average 50% of the nurses who have an associate degree to 80% BSN by the next
Based on the DEC a nurse with an Associate degree “demonstrate competence in the application of nursing knowledge and clinical judgment and behaviors in health care settings.” While a nurse with a Baccalaureate “demonstrates a broad perspective, and understanding of nursing; health and healing, the environment, and persons as diverse individual, families, population and communities.” Nurses with a BSN uses “research findings and other evidence in designing and implementing care that is multi-dimensional, high quality, and cost-effective” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 9).