...Differences and in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at Associate-Degree versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Level in Nursing The nursing profession has multiple entry levels which are diploma, Associate (ADN) degree and Baccalaureate (BSN) degree (Lane & Kohlenberg, 2010). Historically, The Bachelor of Science in nursing degree was established in 1909, whereas the Associate degree was established in 1958 (Hood & Leddy, 2006). BSN students are required to attend 4 years of college education, mostly given at colleges or universities, and on the other hand ADN students are required to attend 3 years of a community college nursing program (AANC, 2011). These variations in the years of education create differences in competences between BSN and ADN. Some variations include critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, and ethical reasoning. Both, ADN and BSN prepared nurses sit for the same licensure examination (Taylor, 2008). According to Lane & Kohlenberg (2010), “Baccalaureate education provides nurses with critical thinking for complex patients and opportunities for leadership, professional mobility, and advancement, this does not mean associate degree nurses are unimportant” (p. 220). Associate degree nurses demonstrate the critical role in nursing (Lane & Kohlenberg, 2010).They continued by adding that through building onto the fundamentals of Associate degree education, emphasis on research, social and physical sciences, and management of community health;...
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...Contrast in competences between ADN and BSN Nurses To be a professional nurse, one has to complete numerous college classes. Nursing focuses on personalized care behaviors, functions, and processes that have physical, psychocultural, and social significance or meaning. The goal of nursing is to help, support, facilitate, or enable individuals or groups to regain or maintain their health in a way that also puts their culture into consideration and also helps people face handicaps or death (Friberg, 109). . Some nurses choose to earn only an associate degree while others choose to get their baccalaureate degree in nursing. Regardless of the route they take both the ADN and the BSN nurse, after completing their college requirements have to pass a standardized licensure exam, The N-CLEX RN to be certified by the “National Council Licensure” to be allowed by their state to practice as a professional nurse. There are huge differences in competences between the ADN nurse and the BSN nurse. The ADN nurse completes her/his education in a two to three year college setting while a BSN nurse completes their education in a four year university. Although both programs provide the prospective nurse the required knowledge to pass the N-CLEX “which tests for minimum technical competencies for safe entry into basic nursing practice” (Rosseter, 2012, p1), research has shown that the nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level provides the nurse with “more advanced analytical and creative capabilities...
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...Competency Differences of ADN and BSN Graduates Virginia Tanner Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V January 10, 2016 Controversy over the entry level educational requirements to the nursing profession has been on-going since the inception of the two-year degree program by Mildred Montag in 1952. This educational model was meant to be a temporary solution to a critical nursing shortage post WWII but became a mainstay of nursing education to present day. Therefore, the debate between various state educational programs, nursing organizations, and other interest groups has continued for over half a century without formal resolution (Mahaffey, E. 2002). Additionally the reality that both associate degree (ADN) and baccalaureate degree (BSN) prepared nurses gain the title of RN by passing the same board examination only increases the confusion surrounding these two program levels of nursing education. Examination of these different educational preparation pathways in the level of nurses’ competencies requires discussion for the nursing profession to evolve while continuing to utilize both ADN and BSN prepared nurses. The primary educational focus for an ADN is hands-on bedside care of patients. The BSN educational focus encompasses the ADN model along with public and community health care, and leadership development within the nursing field. The different degree levels is advantageous because ADN programs provide a population source for BSN programs. Associate program graduates...
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...Education for Nurses Means Safer Care for the Patients Ethan Hu May 29, 2014 Higher Education for Nurses Means Safer Care for the Patients I. Introduction: In today ever changing world of healthcare, where technologies become more advance and patients become sicker, there is an urgent call from many nursing associations, especially the American Nurse Association, which encourages nurses to pursuit higher education. While two-year prepared nurses have the same set of clinical skills as four-year prepared nurses, there are data that show association between better patient outcomes and higher educational level of nurses. This paper will focus on the differences in competences, approaches as well as clinical decisions made by associate nurses and baccalaureate nurses and how they affect patient outcomes. II. Definitions: According to American Nurses Association, nurses who have completed any qualified two-year degree nursing program offered by any community or private colleges and successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) are considered Associate Degree Nurse (ADN). ADNs are only prepared to meet the standard defined by the nurse’s scope of practice in order to practice nursing at an entry-level. ("How to Become a Nurse," n.d.) Baccalaureate nurses are those who have gone though a four-year program and received a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS/BSN). Besides possessing the basic skills required to enter practice, BSNs are also academically...
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...Educational Preparation The difference between an Associate's degree education (ADN) and a Bachelor's degree education (BSN) has been a topic of discussion between nurses for years. Completion of either an ADN program or a BSN program will result in the same outcome, a Registered Nurse Licensure (RN). There are some nurses that would argue that there is no need to obtain a BSN degree unless the nurse is planning to work in a management position. Then, there are some nurses that would argue that in the very near future a BSN degree will be required in order to work in an acute care environment. Choosing one over the other depends on financial factors, the length of time to be spent in an educational program, and long-term career goals (Morrow, 2008). All of the arguments may have their validities, but in this paper this writer will describe the differences in competencies between nurses with an ADN education and a BSN education. There are two primary goals of any nursing program whether it is an ADN program or a BSN program. The first goal is to endow their nursing students with the appropriate tools to provide safe and competent care to patients. The second is to prepare their students to complete and pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX provides computer adaptive testing that measures minimal competence for safe professional nursing practice. Exam content includes health promotion, pharmacotherapeutics...
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...Johnson Grand Canyon University: NRS-430-V 03-26-15 Differences in Associate Degree prepared Nurse and Baccalaureate prepared Nurse Competencies. The rise in morbidity and mortality rates among hospitalized patients in the United States heightens concerns about professional competency. Nurses and other healthcare professionals are under increased pressure to provide safe, effective patient care. Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels. This paper will compare the differences between an Associate degree prepared nurse (ADN) and a Baccalaureate degree prepared nurse (BSN). Education Differences An ADN or associate degree nurse is as a nurse with two to three years training, usually at a community college or technical school. The curriculum usually consists of fundamentals, the basics of nursing and clinicals. A BSN or baccalaureate prepared nurse is a nurse with four or five years of training usually at a University. With the BSN, a nurse will have to think outside the box, use credible research, theory, leadership skills, all of which will make the nurse a better critical thinker, and in turn her patients will be safer. Both ADN and BSN will be qualified to take the NCLEX exam upon graduation from either community college or a university and become RNs. ADNs get primarily fundamental education in school consisting...
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...Competencies Among Associates Degree Nurses (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree Nurses (BSN) Kristel Garan, RN Grand Canyon University: Nursing 430V April 13, 2014 Competencies Among ADNs and BSNs Does the educational level of a registered nurse (RN) have an impact on patient outcomes and safety? Yes, in fact the Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) prepared RN has been linked to lower mortality rates, medication errors, decubitus ulcers, and shorter lengths of stay (Blegen, Goode, Park, Vaughn, & Spetz, 2013). According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN] (2013), there are approximately 2.8 million RNs actively practicing, of which 55% currently hold a BSN degree. In the United States, both graduates of ADN and BSN degree should pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses licensing examination (Rich & Nugent, 2009). However, this does not mean that every nursing graduate is equally prepared for practice. It has been emphasized that the entry-level licensing exam measures only minimum technical competency for safe nursing practice (AACN, 2013). Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary (n.d.) defines competence as “the ability to do something well”. Since it has been demonstrated that the BSN prepared RN is more “prudent” in yielding safer patient outcomes, it is critical to examine the differences in competencies among ADN versus BSN prepared nurses, as well highlight these differences by examining a developed patient...
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...Title: Difference in Competences between Nurse Prepared at Associate Level vs. Baccalaureate Level Nursing- Patient Case Scenario Name: Ogunniran Sesan Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-O104 August 10, 2013 Education has an important effect on all nurse clinicians, as it does for all health care providers today, and one should be able to move forward as one learn every day .This paper will focus on the differences between an Associate degree nurse (ADN) and a Baccalaureate degree nurse (BSN). Using a clinical case scenario, this paper will also discuss the differences in approach, and the roles that experience and skills play in clinical decisions made by a BSN and an ADN nurse. Associate Degree Nursing An associate degree nurse can be defined as a nurse with two to three years nursing training, usually at a community college. A graduate of this program is qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), to become a registered nurse (RN). ADN was founded by Mildred Montage (a nurse educator) in 1956, due to the severity of nursing shortage in the post war years. Friberg, (2011). This program was offered to reduce the nursing shortages and the success of the program was measured in terms of satisfactory level of clinical nursing skills and graduates pass rate on the NCLEX. Baccalaureate Degree Nurses A baccalaureate degree nurse can be defined as a nurse with four to five year nursing training, that consist of a two...
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...Competency Differences between ADN and BSN Nurses James Brown Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS-430V-0101 July 5, 2013 Competency Differences between ADN and BSN Nurses Each potential or practicing nurses, have heard the furious examinations in regard to the benefits of an ADN/ASN vs. BSN. To date, all efforts on discovering which one scores over the other has done nothing more than led to considerable confusion. Each of these nursing degree programs possesses a unique set of benefits. (Scheckel, 2009) Each program is designed to prepare the student to take the National Council Licensure Examination also referred to as the NCLEX. Following successfully completion the NCLEX, graduates are well-informed to accomplish physical evaluations, and to administer medications. Nursing graduates from these degree programs are similarly well-informed of medical equipment and are proficient in life resuscitating procedures, such as wound care, lacerations, drains, cardiovascular oxygen transport. In today’s nursing environment, more and more are expected from nurses which includes more than just following physician’s orders and commencing IVs. (Forster, 2008)Today’s nurse should be able to make vital decisions regarding a patient’s care. (Forster, 2008)There are significant differences between programs that will ultimately influence nursing care and end-results for patients. (Clarke, Donaldson, 2008)This paper will review the differences in the competency...
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...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 to...
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...Running head: DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN ADN AND BSN IN NURSING Differences in competencies between ADN and BSN in nursing Alex F. Button Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V Professional Dynamics July 9, 2011 Difference in Competencies Between ADN and BSN in Nursing Nursing is a fast growing profession, which started out very slow. Nursing defines as a profession that provides caring and nurse people that cannot function daily activities i.e. for the sick and poor in health of all ages, races and gender. Women cared for the sick in their family and this is where the first form of nursing started. Florence Nightingale is well known for the work she has done during the Crimean War in 1853 to 1856 which she and other women where able to save life of wounded soldiers because of her experience she knew the importance of trained nurses which marked the foundation of today’s nursing along with her and many other nurses theories that help create a better nursing profession (Creasia, 2011, p. 3). As the years went by nursing is no longer a poor women’s job but all gender and race with high paying, benefit job that still in demand. And as years went by education of nurses went up higher and each higher level a nurse is required to provide that is equivalent to their education level. Associate-Degree Nursing According to nursingdegreeguide.org, after the war there was a huge nurses shortage, and nurses weren’t well trained to handle important things...
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...Who is the Better Nurse? Christa A. Hosley Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V August 9, 2014 Who is the Better Nurse? What is the definition of competence? Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary describes competence as the ability to do something well or the quality or state of being functionally adequate. This paper will describe competency differences between the two year degree nurse, otherwise know as the (ADN), and the four year degree nurse, otherwise known as the (BSN). An Intensive Care Unit patient care situation will be described, making you aware of the different approaches to nursing care and decision making based on educational levels of the nurse. What is the future of the nursing profession? We must first, take a look at the history of nursing. Several centuries ago, nursing was not seen as a profession, rather a job for the less dersired. (Friberg & Creasia, 2010). These men and women helped the sick, poor, and abandoned individual, nursing them back to health. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was responsible for the first Diploma School of Nursing at St. Thomas Hospital in London, England, to educated nurses on better practices with improved sanitation and environments. (Friberg & Creasia 2010). Due to a major nurse shortage after World War II, Mildred Montag founded the first ADN nursing program in 1956. (Friberg & Creasia 2010). There are now multiple educational options for students. A graduate of an accredited nursing program...
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...to grow in future. In 1909 the first 4-yrs bachelor’s degree nursing program was established at the University of Minnesota. Due to the shortage of nurses after the World War II, again in 1952, nurse tech 2-yrs associate degree nursing program was started. Today nursing is a profession with multiple pathways for entry level practice. The purposes of this paper are to discuss the differences in competences between associate and bachelor’s prepared nurses and how their education levels affect the patient outcome. Associate versus Bachelor’s Degrees: Differences in Competencies Mildred Montag in 1952 proposed 2-year associate degree nursing program to prepare technical bedside nurses for secondary care settings, like nursing homes and community hospitals. The graduates of this program are provided with basic general education and skills required for entry into clinical nursing courses. Because the program was shorter than Bachelor’s degree it was more affordable and accessible to many students. In the beginning there was some confusion about the roles and responsibilities and licensure procedure of ADN graduates and BSN graduates. Though they were educated and trained at different levels, ADN graduates were declared eligible to take the same NCLEX exam and get their RN licensure as of their BSN counterparts. Supporter of BSN program...
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...Educational Preparedness: The Differences Between Associate-Degree and Baccalaureate-Degree Nursing Competencies Starting as a profession that was reserved for the bottommost members of the social order, nursing has risen to the stature of an exceedingly regarded profession. There is an intertwining connection between the increasing regard for the nursing profession and the quality of education required of nurses. In the early nineteenth century there was no formal education required or provided for nurses and the profession was considered one for the “undesirables” (Canyon Connect Timeline, 2013). Since the establishment of nursing schools, graduate nurses, and a registry for educated nurses, the nursing profession has become one of the most respected professions of all. Currently in the United States, to become a registered nurse, one must complete one of three different types of formal education followed by the completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) with a score of passing. These three types of formal education are baccalaureate-degree nursing (BSN), associate-degree nursing (ADN), and the diploma in nursing. Curriculum standards for all three types of formal education are set and regulated by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Although curriculums vary between the three, the standards set are equivalent for all, requiring education and training of elementary nursing...
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...1 Differences in Competencies Between Nurses Based on Degree Level Differences in competencies between nurses based on degree level are accurate and supported with detail, while demonstrating deeper understanding by incorporating prior learning. Competency Differences between ADN and BSN Prepared Nurse To work as a registered nurse, all the nurses have to undergo NCLEX-RN state board exam irrespective of the courses they have done. Another fact being that all these programs provide the basic knowledge and skill in effective patient care ADN nurses are more task-oriented employed in a workplace with not so complex patient scenario. They work under the basic nursing protocols. It is one of the preferred career path as it is the less expensive and short path of becoming a Registered nurse. The nurses with Baccalaureate are more skilled with good leadership qualities for effective patient care affecting less mortality. They take care of both the physical and mental well-being of a patient. They are more in to service than in to opportunities. They are with good leadership abilities and skills primarily focused on analyzing and resolving to critical patient care needs. They are efficient theoretically as well as practically enabling them to be part of multidisciplinary teams. Within the undergraduate subdivision, there are two preparatory levels of nursing education: Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN). patient-centered care and compassion...
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