The Movement for Higher Education in Nursing
Bernis Sosa
Luzerne County Community College
Abstract
“New programs, courses, experiences and changing requirements for the development of new skills pave the way for different opportunities for students to prepare for initial and continuing practice in a rapidly changing society” (Cherry & Jacob, 2014, p. 36). As a nurse there are so many great opportunities. You can become a nurse by enrolling in different types of programs. Those available programs today include diploma, associates, or bachelor’s degree. The most popular form is to attain an associate’s degree. “AND programs were so successful that they became the new career pathway for nurses, and now the majority
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52).
The Movement for Higher Education in Nursing
Nurses in today’s society should be required to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as the minimal degree required to practice as a registered nurse. A baccalaureates degree provides great outcomes for both the patient and the nurse. While in that type of nursing program the nurse will be able to gain more expertise. These programs provide the nursing student greater depth in learning about the multiple disease processes that can be encountered with patients. “BSN programs focus more emphasis on the family and community and health promotion and illness and prevention; a large part of clinical experience is in diverse community settings” (Cherry & Jacob, 2014, p. 52). Upon obtaining the BSN you will be able to further your education if you decide you would like to specialize in a certain area. “Most specialty areas require the BSN degree for practice and as preparation for specialty certification. Admission into master programs usually requires a BSN or other degree” (Cherry & Jacob, 2014, p. 52).
Choosing to Become a Nurse
“Because of the multitude of changes, registered nurses need strong critical thinking skills that enable them to change old and incorporate new care practices, as well as the ability to approach clinical issues using multiple ways of thinking” (Newton & Moore, 2013, p. 154). The decision to become a nurse for each individual varies. Some may become a nurse for the joy of
Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is Four year Program accredited by a university or a college. Having bachelor’s degree in the science of nursing (BSN) can lead us in many direction in the carrier. It is a steppingstone. Like ADN the BSN program also follows their core curriculum, adult health, maternal and newborn nursing, pediatric nursing and community health nursing. In generally speaking many advance nursing positions requires a BSN. BSN nurses are prized to their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management and health promotion. Studies also have found that the nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level have stronger communication and problem solving skills.
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
Nursing has a long history of formal education which moved out of hospitals and into colleges and universities early last century. The associate degree level of nursing was developed out of a need to produce nurses in response to a shortage during and
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 is much debate on whether there is a benefit to obtaining a Baccalaureate in Nursing. Since it is only my second week in the RN to BSN program, I don’t have a lot to base my opinion on. This paper will summarize the differences between Associates a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing based on what I’ve been told, research I have done, and my own experiences.
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.
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.
The BSN curriculum fosters the development of these skills. The nurse obtains knowledge regarding public health and community issues. Additionally, the nurse develops skills in nursing administration and research in order to provide optimum health care for the patient and organization, thus carrying out expert assessment and evaluation (Forster, 2008).
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) .
According to Creasia (2010), “The first baccalaureate nursing program was established in the United States at the University of Minnesota in 1909” and many programs were 5 years long (p. 4). Today, the BSN program is a 4-year college degree offered at universities, private schools and community colleges throughout our nation. The BSN degree graduate has many advantages over an ADN degree graduate and these might include: career paths that are only open to nurses with a BSN degree including administrative positions and minimum requirement for advanced practice nursing (APN). Furthermore, the BSN graduates get extensive training in components that might include: quality and patient safety, evidence-based practice, information management, clinical prevention/population health, and professional values, all of which are essential as nursing care becomes more complex (Creasia, 2010, p. 4). One of the biggest disadvantages of having a BSN degree is that the legal scope of practice is undifferentiated due to being awarded the same license as an ADN graduate “hindering the reward system for leadership responsibilities” (Creasia, 2010, p. 16).
It provides information that is relative to nursing education and describes generalist, advance generalist, and advanced specialty nursing education. It describes framework of nursing profession such as provision of holistic care, practice from an evidence base, care for culturally diverse populations, care for the patients across the lifespan, promote safe, quality patient care. BSN Essential - Introduction will provide guidance in future nursing profession because it explains and clarifies such roles for the baccalaureate generalist nurse as a provider direct and indirect care, as designer, coordinator, and manager of care, and as a member of the profession and advocate for the patient and the
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 report shows that the part of nursing must be expanded so that nurses are able to practice to the fullest degree of their education and training. Currently, advanced practice nurses (APRNs) work according to the scope of practice guidelines set forth by their individual state, meaning these highly educated nurses may not be working to the extent of their training but to the individual state laws. The report offers recommendations to streamline these idiosyncrasies and get rid of the red tape so that nurses can work in their appropriate manner and deliver safe quality care to some 32 million Americans who will before long gain access to health care services (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2012). The report correspondingly finds that nurses need to attain advanced levels of education and training through an enhanced education structure which encourages a cohesive academic progression as to safeguard the delivery of quality health care services. Patients are becoming progressively more complex and nurses need to attain the proper skills to care for these persons. Nursing education must embrace the continuous move towards a streamline approach to higher degree programs (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2010, p. 2). Nurse residency programs
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
Surgeons perform the surgery, doctors provide the diagnosis, but healing comes from the nurse and their dedication to their patient. Day and night, rain or shine, nurses work with an attitude of determination and hands ready to heal. There are many educational options for people interested in joining the nursing field; with pursing an Associate of Science in nursing (ASN) or a Bachelors of Science in nursing (BSN) as the most common options. Although both of these degrees allow nurses to hold a job, they provide their student with different levels of competencies; with the quality of care and flexibility being the biggest disparities.