In today’s professional world, an ADN nurse is losing respect and requiring a BSN for advanced career opportunities. With the help of a transitional BSN program, an ADN nurse is able to use their current skills and bridge to a BSN. Many modalities of learning are available to help with this education. The transition to this advanced degree allows for better learning and greater education
This “incorporates the roles of assessing, critical thinking, communicating, providing care, teaching and leading” (Grand Canyon University, para. 7). I also believe that an individual’s maturity over a four-year period has time to evolve with the concepts of critical thinking and decision making the BSN framework offers. The difference in cost and time from ADN to BSN programs is a deciding factor in many educational decisions. The economy and decrease in job opportunities has driven many into the nursing profession that may not have initially considered it a career option. Sadly, I believe that has contributed to the lack of interest in pursing an advanced education. The professional choice wasn’t driven out of a motivation to help humanity or a sense of altruism; it was merely an employment opportunity.
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).
A BSN represent a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing, while an ADN is an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Both degrees will qualify a person to take the same licensing exam NCLEX. There are several differences in the competency levels of these two-degree programs. BSN program is a four-year degree, which is knowledge, theory and research based and the emphasis is on the entire picture of the field of nursing. Exposing the nurse to human diversity and global perspective, health promotion, spiritual perspectives, ethical, legal, political, historical and social influences using liberal arts including biblical concepts for complete
For prospective students wanting to study nursing in college, there are two paths available for them to take. They can either go to a two year college and graduate with an ADN, or they can attend a four year college and graduate with a BSN. The issue with these programs is that a large part of the population believe that the degrees are comparable (Matthias, A., Kim-Godwin, Y.). In actuality, they are very different. A graduate of Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) two year nursing degree program receive an associate 's RN degree, whereas a graduate of the University of Delaware 's four year program receive a bachelor’s degree of nursing RN. This paper will cover the similarities between the two degrees, the differences, and the advantages and disadvantages of both.
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the differences in the scope of practice between Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) nurses. There are numerous variances and similarities identified. These variances will be explored to show distinction between the two educational preparedness expectations by the Board of Nurse Examiners (BON).
ADN program prepare technical bedside nurses for secondary care settings, such as community, hospitals and long-term health care facilities.” (Friberg, Creasia, 2011, p 26). Thanks to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nurses that hold this degree are now given the opportunity to move to the next level and join a bridge program for the BSN.
The implications for BSN-prepared nurses in addition to those of RNs with an associate degree
There has been a lot of debate regarding whether it is profitable for all nurses to attain at least a BSN to work as a Nurse. This paper addresses the differences in competences between BSN RN 's and ADN RN 's. It exposes the advantages to the patient population treated under the care of BSN RN 's as opposed to ADN RN 's. The purpose is also to describe how nursing care approaches to decision-making may differ based upon the educational preparation of the nurse (BSN vs. a diploma or ADN degree).
The new graduate nurses (NGN) are faced with various issues and challenges especially in their first year of nursing practice. The period of transition from a student to a graduate nurse is a demanding period that is filled with new experiences and there are several concerns and factors that can affect the transition process. The research into the issues has recommended some strategies that can be utilised to ease the transition process from being a student to a professional practicing nurse. Exhaustion, reality shock and time management are some of the factors and issues that the new graduate might encounter during their first year in their career.
This focus is adapted to primarily prepare the ADN student for more day to day nursing activities. In 1952, Mildred Montag, in response to the nursing shortage, designed a program to counter the college level nursing programs. An associate degree was the end result. (Haase, 2006, p. 1)
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).
Associate degree nursing programs offer nursing courses that are supported by humanities, social science and life science. The curriculum “emphasizes patient-centered care and supporting human functioning across the spectra of health, illness, and life span” (Hayes, 1). The ADN program exposes nursing students to basic content covering; community health nursing, communication, evidence-based practice, informatics, quality and safety and trends in the U.S. heath care system.
Current trends in healthcare are leading to more complex, advanced patient care and needs. Hospitals and patient services are now in need of highly skilled, trained, and educated professionals to deliver this care. The impact of these trends extend into the profession of nursing, where employers are taking a closer look at the outcomes of patient care delivered by ADN graduates vs. BSN prepared nurses. Although
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.
There is increased evidence that there are differences in the competencies between ADN and BSN. While entry into nursing practice may find all