ADN AND BSN NURSES Difference in Competencies between ADN and BSN nurses. Amber D. Sobkowiak Grand Canyon University: NRS-403 Professional Dynamics January 20, 2013 ADN AND BSN NURSES 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 …show more content…
Both practice medication safety and monitor patients for potential side effects. All nurses practice to maintain a safe environment for their patients. They provide care to patients with many different illnesses and in many different specialty areas. ADN AND BSN NURSES ADN and BSN nurses both deal with patients from many different ethnicities, religions, beliefs, and lifestyles. All nurses regardless of their degrees must learn how to establish a nurse-patient relationship. In situations where a leadership role is needed, a BSN nurse would be a better candidate. In a high stress situation which involves a patient’s immediate outcome, a BSN nurse is better educated in disease processes and has stronger leadership skills. Though both ADN and BSN nurses provide direct care at bedside, BSN nurses have a stronger foundation in nursing, and are educated to perform in higher positions in the nursing profession. A BSN as the entry level to nursing is on the rise to becoming the standard, due to better patient outcomes. ADN AND BSN NURSES References Aiken, L.H., Clarke, S.P., Sloane, D.M., Lake, E.T. & Cheney, T. (2008, May). Effects of hospital care environment on patient mortality and nurse outcomes. Journal of Nursing Administration, 38(5), 223-229. Friberg, Creasia and (). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice [5], 15, 82-83. McHugh, M.
Nursing is a dynamic profession and life long learning is essential for nurses to stay current with the increased complexity of the healthcare needs of today and into the future. In other words, the needs of our patients are changing, as we must change in order to be prepared to better serve that need.
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.
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)
Significantly more medication errors and procedural violations are committed by nurses prepared at the associate degree and diploma levels than at the baccalaureate level” ("Ensuring An Educated," 2005, p. 12). The BSN nurse has stronger communication skills, problem solving skills and is more likely to use evidenced-base practice in their daily nursing routine. Being more alert a doctor. Having strong skills can help prevent a devastating accident by knowing when to question a doctors order, and looking for signs and symptoms of patient decomposition. A BSN nurse can make nursing diagnoses and evaluate nursing interventions better than a nurse who holds an ADN.
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.
Nursing education encompasses a vast continuum. Within the undergraduate subdivision, there are two preparatory levels of nursing education: Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN). Although the underlying philosophies of patient-centered care and compassion remain consistent between both degree-levels, there are distinctions pertaining to clinical decision-making and care delivery. Major differences in competency of critical thinking and problem solving skills, evidence-based practice and clinical judgment, exist between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level and baccalaureate degree level, thus
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
BSN nurses not only provide more complex aspects of daily care and patient education, but also design and coordinate a comprehensive plan of nursing care for the entire length of a patient's stay from pre-admission to post-discharge, including supervising nurses aides and other unlicensed assistive personnel, designing discharge and teaching plans for patients, and collaborating with patient, physicians, family members, and other hospital departments and resource personnel.
Nurses a with Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) are known for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. These nurses are well-prepared to meet the demands placed on today's nurse.
each nurse develops. The associate degree in nursing (ADN) study focused on patient care skills
Competence is the ability of an individual to do a job properly. It is the combination of knowledge, skills and behavior used to improve the performance. The American Nurses Association defines a competency as “an expected level of performance that integrates knowledge skills, ability and judgment”. In these terms, the competency among ADN and BSN looks same, but there are some differences in various levels. In simple terms ADN is a “technical” nurse and BSN is a “professional” nurse. This difference is because ADN is trained mostly on clinical skills, while BSN training is focused on leadership, nursing research, management as well as clinical skills.
“Programs provide a solid liberal education and substantive upper division nursing major. Both components are combined in ways that prepare a nurse generalist who is able to provide professional nursing services in beginning leadership positions in a variety of settings” (Friberg, 2011, p. 87-88). Obtaining a BSN can open up more job opportunities for a person and in most cases makes you more desirable to employers. Many nurses get burnt out from being floor nurses so if you have your BSN you have the option to move into management or many other areas like insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, research jobs or even a clinical instructor. “Research shows they use evidence based practice for better patient outcomes.” (Moore, n.d.) “ As also stated in the same article “numerous research studies have demonstrated that the ADN and BSN nurses are not different in skill competency when they graduate, but within a year, the BSN nurses show greater critical thinking skills better problem solving, and the development of clinical judgment; three skills of increasing importance for the increase in acuity of patients in hospitals and other health care settings.” (Moore, n.d.)
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”
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
There is increased evidence that there are differences in the competencies between ADN and BSN. While entry into nursing practice may find all