There is also an increased advantage to having a BSN when attempting to move beyond a staff nurse position. A study conducted by Kearney (1994), on academic advising of RN to BSN students, found that one of the main motivations for returning to school for RNs was the gained potential for promotion. BSN programs will provide more course work focusing on leadership and communication skills, which are essential for advancement within the workforce. Based on the findings by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2004, BSN prepared nurses only accounted for approximately 30 percent of the workforce, with the majority of practicing registered nurses only holding associate degrees. It’s easy to see how it would significantly improve one’s advantage for promotion by acquiring a BSN, due to the significantly low number of BSNs in comparison to ADNs within the workforce. The BSN might be the only difference to give that slight edge needed for
The purpose of this article is to discuss appropriate nurse staffing and staffing ratios and its impact on patient care. Although the issue is just not about numbers as we discuss staffing we begin to see how complex the issue has become over the years. Many factors can affect appropriate nurse staffing ratios. As we investigate nurse staffing ratios we can see the importance of finding the right mix and number of nurses to provide quality care for patients.
Nursing to patient ratio can have a direct impact on patient safety. Studies have been done that show that these ratios impact patient outcomes and mortality rates when nurses are understaffed and are given a larger patient load than they can handle safely. Nursing education level has also shown to play a role in patient outcomes. Whether they are an unexperienced nurse or the patients are at a higher acuity and require more time for care, these larger ratios can be detrimental to the nursing quality of care that can be provided. These larger nurse to patient ratios can also play a part in nurse burnout leading to medical errors, negative patient outcomes, and higher health care costs in the future.
Differences regarding competencies of an associate degree nurse and a baccalaureate degree nurse have long been discussed and argued. It has been argued that the associate degree nurse is less competent than the baccalaureate degree nurse. The difference among these competencies has also led to the discussion and concern regarding negative outcomes when it comes to quality patient care. “Quality patient care hinges on having a well educated work force” (Rosseter, 2011) With further research I have found that there are many differences in the competencies and educational preparation between these nurses. I was not aware of these differences until I further researched this topic. In the Journal of Nursing Education June 2006 issue it states
National organization for associate degree nurses argues that Associate degree nurses are an essential part of healthcare team and are trained to work in various healthcare settings. The organization also refuses to mandate further education and states that any education beyond the initial
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
In the nursing profession, entry-level nurses have either completed an Associate’s Degree in nursing or a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Both degrees train students to perform at a minimum competency level and both train students to perform nursing tasks in all the main areas which include adult medical- surgical, maternal-child, and mental health nursing. ADN and BSN graduates are both required to take and pass the NCLEX licensing exam before they can practice as a nurse. Even though both degrees train students to perform the same duties as a nurse
Is having a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) better than an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)? Why should nurses get a BSN? Many nurses ask themselves these questions. Hospitals are pushing for nurses to advance their education. If there is an ADN nurse and BSN nurse applying for the same position most likely the BSN nurse will receive the job before the ADN nurse because “ the additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that
The implications for BSN-prepared nurses in addition to those of RNs with an associate degree
Issues such as staffing levels affect nursing sensitive outcomes negatively by causing increases in medical errors, patient infections, increased mortality, increased injuries to the patient and staff, and cause longer hospital stays. The positive side of staffing levels occurs when staffing is at an optimal level. This allows nurses to give better patient centered care, increases opportunities to educate the patient, and advocate for the patient more. In essence, staffing levels can ultimately affect patient safety outcomes and quality of care.
Gordon, S., Buchanan, J., & Bretherton, T. (2008). Safety in Numbers: Nurse-to-Patient Ratios and the Future of Health Care (pp. 1-2). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
I am in favor of mandatory nurse-patient staffing. Nursing is evidence-base practice. So why isn’t there a mandatory nurse-patient staffing in Louisiana hospitals. At hospitals across the United States floor nurses are still caring for 6 patients. The research has been done and it proves that safe staffing equal safe patient care which result in better patient outcome (Allen, 2013). California is 1 of 14 states that have nurse staffing regulations. A study was done at 604 hospitals in California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. New Jersey and Pennsylvania did not have mandatory nurse staffing. Over one million patients who had common surgical procedures were studied over a two-year period. The studied concluded, 486 patients in New Jersey and
The battle between Associate vs. Bachelors have been raging over years. The debate seems to be heavily to receive in BSN and or higher education. The American Nurses Association (ANA), American Association of College of Nursing and Institute of Medicine (IOM) have published many articles, facts and book about the important of a nurse to become BSN or higher educations. Just by researching between the ADN and BSN the developments and growth are very different. Using the description from Grand Canyon University College of Nursing Philosophy, “Baccalaureate nursing practice incorporates
As the shortage of nursing staff increases, the number of nursing students would also need to increase (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008). Taking that into consideration, I completely agree with your information and with the article. Your perspective on the topic is well-structured to the belief that we need more nursing students, or possibly, letting ADN nurses work in hospital settings without a BSN restriction. As future BSN nurses, what can we do to support the upcoming nursing changes? Those changes can easily alter the demand for a higher level of education for future nurses and for nurses who have been in this work force for a long time. Additionally, earning a higher level of education can bring outstanding benefits
The nurse manager in today’s health care has a solid role in providing a healthy working environment. Healthy working environment is the basis for safe and better patient outcomes. Healthy working environment in a unit depends on the inspiration, motivation and support from the nurse manager and the management in all the ways. So as a nurse manager in a unit, the change I wish to initiate is the safe staffing patterns. Safe staffing patterns are always important for safe working environments to deliver excellent patient care. Staffing and scheduling means providing an adequate staff mix to meet the needs of the patients (Grohar-Murray & Langan, 2011). Nurse manager should know how to schedule and skill mix to provide adequate