The Difference between an ADN nurse and a BSN nurse Amber R Morales
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V
April 24, 2015

Nurses are prepared in many ways, from the associates Degree (ADN), to a baccalaureate degree(BSN) and beyond to masters and doctoral. Just like with humans, nurses come in different shapes and sizes per se, but all with one main focus of providing the highest level of care to our patients and their family. All nurses take the same national exam, NCLEX-RN, which test for “minimum technical competency for a safe entry” into the nursing environment (Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce, 2015). The NCLEX-RN is a national certification, but each states board of nursing provides licensing. Daily the healthcare system is changing, therefor nursing is continuously changing. As hospitals try to achieve different levels of ranking or status, the nursing field will have to make needed changes to meet the requirements as well. Hospitals are putting into effect the needed requirements of their nursing staff to become more knowledgeable in their care, provide the highest level of care, and constantly ensuring patient safety. This paper will focus on the differences in approach, explain the roles and skills made by the associates-degree prepared registered nurse (RN) versus a baccalaureate-degree prepared RN. Initially RN’s did not receive licensure in the medical field or proper training, but Mildred Montag “revolutionized nursing education.” Due to the nursing shortage after WWII, Montag took initiative and created a curriculum for a higher-level trained nurse taking only 2 years for completion (“Nursing Timeline of Historical Events,” 2015). An ADN nurse can be defined as a nurse with an average of 2 years of a nursing program with a set curriculum involving clinical experience in the hospital setting (Wikipedia, 2015). Graduating