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Baccalaureate Degree Nurses vs. Associate Degree Nurses

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Baccalaureate Degree Nurses vs. Associate Degree Nurses
Pamela Jones

Grand Canyon University NRS 430V
March 2, 2014
Due March 2, 2014

Since the beginning of the recognized nursing field, education and responsibilities of the nurse have been evolving. Two types of education are the Baccalaureate of Sciences (BSN) and the Associate Degree (AD). Both levels sit for the same NCLEX licensing exam, but many believe the BSN nurse is better prepared to meet the needs of patients. The BSN program is a four-year, knowledge, research and theory based degree. The AD is a shorter program, which focuses on clinical skills but lacks the evidence based practice (EBP) teaching the BSN program offers. Dr. Patricia Benner at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released a study titled Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation. The study found many of today’s nurses are “under-educated” to carry out the demands placed on them (Benner), and recommends that all nurses be prepared at the BSN level. According to the AACN, BSN prepared nurses have a more rounded education with focuses on social and physical sciences, EBP, community nursing and management teaching (AACN: Fact Sheet). They recognized the AD is less expensive and less time consuming, but still think the BSN is better prepared. BSN students are typically receiving more clinical training hours than the associate degree student (Nursing’s Future). Because of more clinical time, the BSN student feels more confident than his or her counterparts with an associate degree. Preparing a nurse to meet the demands required of them is of even more importance today. From admission to the hospital, to the transition home, nurses are an important part in the care planning process.
PATIENT OUTCOMES In a study in the May 2008 issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr. Linda Aiken

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