Educational Preparation in Nursing Essay example

Education has a strong outcome on everyone, and nursing is a profession that makes sure that everyone that is being called a nurse goes through the best kind of education that is available. Nursing helps to nurture human by providing humane services for all. There are different levels of education in nursing; an associate’s degree, a baccalaureate degree, master’s degree and so on. So it is very important to understand the differences between all these degrees since each certified nursing program carries educational and professional requirements that are expected to be carried out. The following paragraphs are going to explain the differences in competencies between nurses that are

Discuss the differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level .

This topic takes a look into whether or not acquiring an Associate Degree in Nursing, ADN, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN, affects a student’s ability to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, NCLEX for Registered Nurses. Through the process of research and data analysis, we will be able to answer the question many prospective nursing students wonder the answer to all too often. Is there truly a significant difference between a nurse with an Associate degree or a Bachelor degree? Most colleges, universities, hospitals, and the Institute of Medicine up talk the need for a nurse to have a BSN, by saying in order for a nurse to qualify for more jobs, earn a higher pay, and succeed as an RN one must hold a BSN degree. Essentially

The studies have shown that nurses that have gone thru the baccalaureate program have a higher degree in articulation and problem deciphering abilities (Johnson, 1988) and are more proficient in their ability with nursing diagnosis along with the evaluation of nursing interventions (Geiger & Davidhisar, 1990).

On the course lecture note, on the nursing history and conceptual models, it states that the goal for seeking additional formal education is to strengthen the platform from which nurses make better decision, plans, and evaluation of patient outcome and in order to to do this , enhanced knowledge is required.

In 1965, the AACN recommended that nurses should receive at least a baccalaureate degree before entering practice “to meet the accelerating need for nurses in other areas, such as health promotion and disease prevention, case management, and managed care settings” (AACN, 2000). However, the AACN is not trying to not seek to limit the role of the associate degree-prepared nurse in the practice setting (AACN, 2000). In fact, the AACN believes that Associate degree- prepared nurses play an import role in the delivery of healthcare (AACN, 2000). Today, most hospitals prefer to hire BSN holder nurses. Since 2005, the Veteran’s Administration has set a baccalaureate degree a minimum requirement in addition to committing to invest “$50 million over the next five years to help VA nurses obtain baccalaureate or higher nursing degrees” (AACN, 2000). As a result of the new implementations, the number of new BSN graduates from 1975 to 1999 has “rose from approximately 3,700 a year to more

Finally the Baccalaureate Curriculum Model shows a competency difference in the level of nursing education. Patient safety and quality of care are improved with the level of nursing education. “Because nurses make decisions that affect clients’ lives, nurses need intellectual capability to master scientific concepts, understand the impact of self on others, use this information in clinical practice and understand potential consequences” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2007). In other words the baccalaureate level nurses have a broader body of knowledge than the associate degree nurse. While the ADN nurse goes to school to focus on just skills the BSN nurse goes to school and focuses on many different competencies. “The

A nurse is a person formally educated and trained in the care of the sick or infirm. The nurse works in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and is responsible for the treatment, safety, and recovery of sick people who are in need of close observation and physical, emotional, spiritual and social care. This paper will explain the competencies for nurses prepared at the ADN and BSN levels.

The nursing profession continues to argue whether a nurse who holds a BSN is desirable to the Associates-Degree-prepared nurse. This has been a topic of debate since 1965, when the American Nurses Association published an opinion paper advocating for the baccalaureate degree to be the minimal standard for entry-level nurses. While some say that the level of education isn’t relevant once you orient a nurse to a certain setting, others disagree and assert that the baccalaureate degree prepared nurses demonstrate higher levels of skill in communication, delegation, assessment, teaching and supervision. Most agree, however, that each degree program provides a different level of preparation and

Though Associate and Bachelor trained nurse learn the same skills, the Bachelor trained nurse has a deeper knowledge of quality improvement concepts, patient safety goals, and the leadership skills to assert critical decision-making. (Kearney-Nunnery, 2015, pp. 216-17) As a result, research shows that when hospitals employ a larger percentage of bachelor prepared nurses, patient outcomes improve. (Altmann, 2011) Bachelors prepared nurses have a great deal of experience in research of evidence-based practice, which plays a major role in quality and safe patient care. Nursing staff is consistently working to prevent falls, pressure ulcers, and IV infiltration, which are preventable and have the potential to lead to more serious problems. (Kearney-Nunnery, 2015) Overall, a bachelor’s degree better prepares nurses for the ever-increasing acuities of patients, many of whom have multiple health issues and comorbidities

Graduates of the associate-degree level nurse’s versus baccalaureate-degree nurses’ level of competencies can be seen throughout the reading to prepare for this assignment. The textbook Conceptual Foundations: The bridge to Professional Nursing Practice (p.11), shares that during the time of Post War there were not enough registered nurses to care for the public. The use of associate degree nurses and licensed practical nurses was necessary due to the economy of the country at that time. According to the textbook, in 1951 nurse educator M. Montage “proposed the ADN program in the community colleges” (p.15). Reading the Grand Canyon University College of Nursing Philosophy, the language is clear. In the nursing section of this document they clearly described the “Baccalaureate nursing practice incorporates the roles of assessing, critical thinking, communicating, providing care, teaching and leading.” This is seen in the nursing communities today throughout the hospitals. The most common leadership roles are filled with the BSN prepared nurse and well as the educator roles. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing states in the fact sheet, “Quality patient care hinges on having a well-educated nursing workforce. Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.” There are times I find this very concerning. I say this only to say that many ADN

These programs are designed to help graduates manage complex nursing situations and heavy cases loads. Students are taught how to apply leadership skills and decision-making models to a variety of nursing practices. Students will be prepared to translate the principles of patient safety and quality improvement into their daily tasks and routines. BSN programs also help students to understand health policies, engage in professional communication and translate current research into nursing practices. Finally, students will be trained in the latest health care IT information and patient care management technologies. In order to graduate, they must be able to demonstrate the critical thinking and clinical skills necessary for the delivery of competent and compassionate care to all

In 1998 the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) established The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. The AACN established outcomes that graduates of baccalaureate nursing program have to master in order to provide a high quality patient-centered care. The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice emphasizes that nurses have contributed on delivering the safest, highest quality and the most cost effective health care to the people in the United States. Also, it talks about additional concerns such as a growing demand for registered nurses despite an increase number of students enrolled BSN programs yearly. The reason why United States is experiencing a nursing shortage is because of the increased demands of experienced RNs in specialized areas, a rapid growth of old population and eventually because the current nursing workforce are aging themselves.

Technically graduates of both programs, ADN and BSN, prepared and eligible for NCLEX test. Both programs graduates are competent to provide safe care to the public, but they do not deliver the same quality of care. Baccalaureate prepared nurses have a direct and positive impact on mortality rates. The practice shows that higher nursing education level is an important factor in patient safety and delivered quality of care. BSN programs aims the students at developing skills like focusing on health, wellness and prevention illnesses. Nowadays most hospitals recruit only BSN nurses or require the working nurses to get BSN degrees. Advancing the career to the higher level and getting a BSN degree benefits to a personal fulfillment, is the best investment for nurses in the times of planning to increase the nurses with BSN degrees to 80 % by 2020 according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative , makes nurses marketable in the world with its global evolving

It is believed that this correlation is due to the increased ability to provide critical thinking and shorter rescue time for their patients care. In addition, hospitals strive to reach a magnet status recognition from The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is thought that this recognition will draw more patients to their hospitals. The (ANCC) website explains that “Magnet organizations are recognized for superior nursing processes and quality patient care, which lead to the highest levels of safety, quality, and patient satisfaction” (ANCC,