...The Age Old Debate: ADN vs BSN, a comparison Seth Ronning Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics Kimberly Hammerton September 4, 2013 The Age Old Debate: ADN vs BSN, a comparison In battles of good versus evil through out history, good almost always triumphs in the end. For example the New York Yankees have won a total of twenty seven World Series Championships compared to the Boston Red Sox who have won a meager seven World Series. Another example would be Darth Vader returning from the dark side to vanquish the evil Emperor by means of hurling the villain over a rail to unseen depths and certain death. In the case of Bachelors level nursing compared to Associates level nursing however, there really is no good versus evil to compare. There is no dark versus light there is just a different level of attained educational degree. The question is what does the difference in education level provide in the level of competency of each nurse. The aim of this paper is to discuss what is the definition of competency in nursing and how is it measured, what are the advantages in nursing care for associates and bachelors degree care, and how do the differences in educational level affect overall patient outcomes. What is competency in nursing? The American Nurses Association, or ANA, defines competency by stating, “competency is an expected level of performance that results from an integration of knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment” (ANA 2004). A nurses’ ability...
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...Running head: THE DIFFERENCE IN COMPETENCIES OF AN ADN AND A BSN 1 The Difference in Competencies of a Nurse with an ADN versus a Nurse with a BSN Stacey M. Kestler Grand Canyon University THE DIFFERENCE IN COMPETENCIES OF AN ADN AND A BSN 2 Abstract According to American Association of Colleges of Nursing fact sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce, there are 2.8 million registered nurses currently active and practicing, of these 55% hold a bachelor’s degree, and by 2020 they estimate that number will increase to 80%. This is important because what will happen to the nurses that currently have an ADN or are about to enter into the ADN program? What is the difference between a nurse with an ADN and a nurse with a BSN, and is one better than the other? Nurses make the decisions to get their ADN or BSN for many different reasons, but there are many journals and articles in publication that statically show that having a BSN is safer for patients. In the October 2014 issue of Medical Care, it published that having a 10% increase in the proportion of bachelor educated nurses decreased mortality rates by 10.9%. In the May 2014 issue of The Lancet, it published that European hospitals with a higher number of BSN nurses showed that patients were more likely to live after facing complications due to surgery. In conclusion Nancy Burgess states in her article ADN versus BSN Nursing Degree…Which will it be?, that...
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...Comparison of Competencies ADN vs. BSN xxx xxx Grand Canyon University NRS 430V January 18, 2012 Comparison of Competencies ADN vs. BSN What is the difference between a Registered Nurse with an ADN (Associates Degree) and one with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)? The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and many others believe that education has a significant impact on the knowledge and competencies of a nurse (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2011). Studies suggest that graduates of Baccalaureate degree programs have a better understanding of the conceptual and theoretic approach to nursing care in specific nursing situations. There is also a significant relationship between the level of basic nursing education and degree and proficiency of leadership demonstrated. Moreover, there is a significant relationship between educational preparation and degree and proficiency to which the nurse makes nursing diagnosis, executes and implements the nursing process, and evaluates the effects of nursing intervention (Giger & Davidhizar, 1990). Nursing has changed greatly over the years, to keep up with the demands of an evolving healthcare system and changing patient needs, nurses must achieve higher levels of education. An ever increasing body of research reinforces this claim and shows a connection between baccalaureate education and lower mortality rates (“Creating a more qualified nursing workforce“, 2011). According to the 2008...
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...Leigh Ann Tovar April 28, 2012 Educational Preparation Now that I have completed my Registered Nursing (RN) degree, and am working as a new grad nurse, I am venturing into the future with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Some people ask me “why do you bother getting your BSN?” This is a question I have considered myself over the past year, and now I am back in school, I realize the benefits to further education are enormous. Nursing link website states “in today’s nursing world, more is expected from a nurse than following doctor’s orders and starting IVs.” (Forster, 2008, para. 4) It continues to report that we as nurses must be able to “make critical decisions about a patient’s care, to question the doctor if orders seem inappropriate and to help the patient through, sometimes, difficult life-changing decisions.” One can only develop these skills with a broad based education, one that includes “critical thinking, and exposure to many different people, though process, and cultural and social norms.” Therefore BSN programs offer more education aimed at developing such necessary skills. (Forster, 2008, para. 4) This paper will discus such benefits in obtaining a BSN degree in further detail; by comparing the differences in competencies between nurses based on their degree level, the use of patient care situation describing differences in approach to nursing care based of formal education in nursing, and the overall benefits and advantages of higher education...
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...Nurse versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Nurse Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS-430V Are They Any Different? Associate-Degree Nurse versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Nurse The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, believes that education has a significant impact on the knowledge and competencies of the nurse clinician, as it does for all health care providers (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2013, para 1). It is an understandably debatable subject amongst the nursing community regarding the differences between an associate’s degree nurse (AND) and the baccalaureate-degree level nurse (BSN). Some, like myself, may not really see the difference between the two when the only way you’ve been use to comparing the two preparations is when you’re providing skilled patient care. During my nursing studies, I routinely overheard my instructors mention that the community college nurses are always much stronger nurses when they entered the workforce. I now believe what they really meant was that, ADN nurses were more skilled with the task oriented areas of patient care. To be reasonably honest, I have never truly put considerable thought into the difference between the associates and baccalaureate nurse. I trust, that by the end of this assignment, I, and everyone else reading this paper, will have a greater understanding of their differences and the impact the prepared level...
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...ADN vs. BSN Francesca Anderson Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS430V Joyce Turner August 14, 2015 ADN vs. BSN At face value, comparing the difference in competencies of the Associate to the Baccalaureate appears to be a relatively simple mathematical equation. The addition of more education equates to more competencies. As undeniable as the math may seem, it fails to grasp the complexity of the topic. At the Associate level the core knowledge to perform many, if not all, of the aspects of the nursing profession has been established. The Baccalaureate should be viewed more as an adjunct to the personal traits that lead an individual to the nursing profession. Taking the intrinsic need to care for the immediate medical issue and adding concepts that will establish a “wholistic” approach, ensuring a longer more fulfilling outcome. At the dawn of the twentieth century the nursing profession in the modern sense was in its infancy. Schools had been established based on the Nightingale model with the premise being that “pupil” nurses were trained on hospital wards under the watchful eye of a nursing superintendent (Friberg & Creasia, 2016). This method provided the basics of vocational-type training to provide hospitals with a less expensive but skilled workforce. As wonderful as this program was it started taking away from the “patient care aspect” as the role of a student nurse in a hospital-based school not only encompassed patient care but carrying...
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...Difference between nurses with different level of education As nursing has become a highly competent profession, the educational opportunities for nurses have increased significantly. The hospitals and other organizations that provide health care are also competing with each other and now the demand for nurses with bachelor degree is increasing. For decades the American Nurses association and the National League for nursing have attempted to make the BSN the only educational program for RNs in the US. This essay focuses on the difference in the competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level in nursing. Studies have shown that the higher educated RNs have a better overall patient satisfaction, better outcomes related to medical condition, and a lower overall cost of care. According to Williams, (1995) a study conducted by Little and Brian, indicates that higher education enhances the personal and professional growth during and after graduation. The article also indicates that as per the study conducted by Whalen nurses with baccalaureate degree had a strong bureaucratic and professional orientation. Some studies indicated that the more number of nurses with bachelor degree are members of professional organization where as very few nurses with associate degree have membership in professional organizations (Williams). The trend in nursing is going professional. Professional nursing in the hospital...
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...Associate vs. Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Julie Jones Grand Canyon University Nurses can earn many different degrees. Two of the most common degrees received by nurses today are the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Both of these degrees allow the holder of the degree to take the nursing boards which will confer the title of Registered Nurse (RN). However, each of these degrees are very different from the other in terms of educational requirements, competencies, time to complete the degree and scope of practice. The ADN is a two year degree that is an entry level degree requiring only seventy credit hours of core nursing courses (Blegen, Goode, Park, Vaughn, & Spetz, 2013). Some of the advantages of the two year degree include a reduced cost, faster entry into the clinical or hands on experience, and the ability to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse. Obtaining the license of the RN allows the graduate to apply for and receive a good paying job sooner than the four year degree. However, there are also several disadvantages to the ADN. Some of these disadvantages include a lack of comprehensive theory, a program of study that is more task-oriented instead of being a well-rounded, holistic, and goal oriented nursing. This lack leads to an inability to use the critical thinking skills that are taught at the baccalaureate nursing level. This lack can hinder the ADN’s ability to gain employment at the more preferred...
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...Nurse Preparedness: ADN vs BSN Grand Canyon University June 7, 2015 Nurse Preparedness: ADN vs BSN In the early 1980’s though 2000 a shortage within the nursing field came to peak within the healthcare industry. For over 50 years the associate’s degree had significantly addressed the needs of nurses and nursing staff. However, with the rapid technological advancement of medical diagnosis and treatment, the competencies between nurses with an associate’s degree and a baccalaureate degree became the focus of the healthcare industry. With a demand for higher educational hospitals, a link between patient care and the education levels of nursing staff; the question was, are the competency levels adequate for the nurse with an associate’s degree? Though in writings, there have been no real major differences that are noted between the cognitive abilities of nursing students within baccalaureate degree programs and associate degree programs. Baccalaureate nurses are generally perceived as being better prepared for a wide range of nursing competencies and are seen as performing in the professional role for which they have been prepared during their education. Associate degree nurses are seen as performing well in the technical role for which they have been prepared in their education. In general, nurses were seen as performing in the roles for which they had been educationally prepared (Davis-Martin, 1990). I read an article in the Journal of Advanced...
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