Professional Roles Of A Baccalaureate Nurse

Baccalaureate nursing practice incorporates the roles of assessing, critical thinking, communicating, providing care, teaching, and leading. (Grand Canyon University College of Nursing [GCUCN], 2011, p. 2) A nurse providing

An ongoing debate for the requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN) has been unsettled. Several different educational pathways lead to an RN licensure; however, the minimum educational requirements must be standardized at the baccalaureate level for several reasons. Spetz and Bates (2013) published that a growing number of hospitals prefer hiring nurses with a Bachelor Science in Nursing (BSN) as this increases the status of the nursing profession (p. 1). Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), as well as a certificate on-the-job training Diploma are two other educational pathways to become an RN, which can be disadvantageous to the nursing profession in several ways (Tollick 2013; Spetz and Bates 2013). If entry-level nurses

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).

With an ever-increasing body of knowledge in the field of nursing, more education is being required to enter the field of nursing. Many healthcare institutions are raising the educational requirements in order to become employed or maintain employment in their facilities. Healthcare organizations are transitioning to hiring registered nurses (RN) who have a higher level of education, such as, a graduate from a Baccalaureate Degree Nursing (BSN) program. The goal of these institutions is to have nurses with a broader array of skills that can meet the growing demands of our patient population. BSN prepared nurses are recognized for their well-rounded skills in critical thinking, management, case management and health promotion versus Associate Degree nurses (ADN)/Diploma nurses that focus on direct patient care.

Furthermore according to American Association of College of Nursing, “the baccalaureate degree is designed to prepare nurses for work within the growing and changing health care environment. With nurses taking more active role in the health care, they are expected to develop critical thinking and communication skills in addition to receiving training in clinics and hospital”(American Association of College of Nursing) .

A survey was conducted with 102 graduates from an associate degree program. The data analysis discussed the graduates’ perception of their comfort level with leadership, delegation skills, management, professional identity and teamwork (Jones & Mbewe, 2011). This paper will focus on the areas that the graduates felt inadequate and compare these areas to the focus and content of each program. It will also look at differences in nursing care approaches based on educational background.

The national shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) has helped generate formidable interest in the nursing profession among people entering the workforce and those pursuing a career change. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service in 2002, the national population is continuing to grow and age and medical services continue to advance, so the need for nurses will continue to increase. They report from 2000 to 2020 the predicted shortage of nurses is expected to grow to 29 percent, compared to a 6 percent shortage in 2000. With the projected supply, demand, and shortage of registered nurses and nursing salaries ever-increasing, the nursing profession can offer countless opportunities. But first one must

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

The need for expansion in their roles for higher levels of education and an improved system of education are required for nurses now for meeting the diverse needs of the patients and to provide better care. Improving the education system and achieving a more educated work force is increasing with nurses having baccalaureate degrees , that is, a traditional Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Nursing program or a traditional 4 year Bachelor of Nursing program or a program that allows seamless transition from Associate in Diploma Nursing to Bachelor of Nursing.

I am currently in my final year studying a Bachelor of Business majoring in Management and Logistics. I completed my high school education at a well respected school in Brisbane and received good grades, however, I was unsure of what career path I wanted to follow. I was accepted into a Bachelor of Business but deferred University to work as a retail assistant and travel. I decided to change my course of action and applied for a position for a Bachelor of Nursing. I was accepted and completed 1.5 years of the degree. However, as we run a family business, a dealer of new and used commercial trucks and trailers, my father encouraged me to transfer back into a Bachelor of Business to further my education as a business graduate. Once I transferred into the Bachelor of Business program, I commenced work as a Store Person in one of our warehouses. As I furthered my education and sustained unrelated injuries, which prevented me from working in the position, I was transferred into the Parts department to work as a Parts Administration Assistant. I soon moved down the Gold Coast and transferred from Nathan campus to Gold Coast campus to continue my studies. I commenced a new position as Online Store Coordinator and Marketing Assistant at our Yatala branch.

Discussing the Differences in Competencies between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree level versus the Baccalaureate-Degree level in Nursing.

There is an increasingly high demand for students going into nursing careers in our society, but there are also varying educational pathways for these students to get into these careers. Are the three educational pathways (Diploma, Associate Degree, and Baccalaureate Degree) preparing prospective nurses to be at the same competency level after schooling? Advancement in education has become an increasingly important topic amongst health care organizations. Educational preparation can indeed affect nursing care and the decision making of nurses. In this paper, an analysis of nursing history and the degree programs themselves will provide evidence of an increased level of patient care by BSN nurses vs. ADN nurses.

Recent research has shown that hospitals and health care organizations that employ a higher number of bachelors prepared nurses see better patient outcomes as a result of the nurse having a greater capacity to practice (Impact of Education, n.d.). Studies have shown that bachelors prepared nurses practice more confidently and as a result can react faster to patient situations resulting in better outcomes (Impact of Education, n.d.). Also a bachelor’s prepared nurse is trained more extensively in “clinical, scientific, decision making, and humanistic skills, including preparation in community health, patient education, and nursing management and leadership” (Baccalaureate Degree, 2001) The education that patients get in how to care for themselves after leaving the hospital leads to better outcomes once they are gone and less recurrence of

The professional nurse who possesses baccalaureate degree has attained academic and professional development consequential of further education and knowledge by attending school in depth and hands on knowledge in science of nursing. She or he has developed purposeful, self-regulatory judgment, which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and interference in planning, applying, and evaluating for safer better daily patient care. Patients rely on professional nurses for better judgment and their advices everyday and baccalaureate nurses have competencies and cognitive skills to fulfill patients needs and trust. She or he is well informed of recent evidence based practices based on which she can give trustful reasons for steps of care. She or he is open-minded because of being educated about multicultural and language, ethics, sociology, communication, and adversity of human nature and is flexible to listen and help. Based on critical thinking and leadership management skills learned in baccalaureate degree professional nurse is willing to reconsider and clear issues in complex matters, implementing change, and collaborate with health care team to build positive work environment and outcome. She or he is fair minded in evaluation of

I am striving to achieve professionalism and growth in roles and values while going through the bachelor’s degree in nursing program. I plan on taking each class one at a time, try to do my best, and gain the knowledge needed to grow in the nursing profession. By October 2010, I should obtain my bachelor’s degree in nursing, which will provide new opportunities, such as management, and educator positions. A bachelor’s degree in nursing will provide the opportunity to further my education to a master’s degree level.