...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;...
Words: 829 - Pages: 4
...Differences in competence between Associate degree and Baccalaureate degree 1 Running head: EDUCATION PREPARATION Education preparation: Differences in competences between nurses prepared at the Associate degree level versus Baccalaureate degree level nursing Awudu Braimah Shaibu Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V Professional dynamics. Date: 10/07/2012 Differences in competencies between Associate and Baccalaureate degree level nursing 2 Associate degree level nursing is a two year nursing program that is being pursued in most of the community colleges in the United States of America. Students pursuing associate degree complete or earn 60 credits in order to graduate from this program. Baccalaureate degree or BSN level nursing is a four year nursing program that is offered in most of the colleges/universities across America. Students pursuing this program required to complete/earn 120 credits in order to be able to complete the program. This paper is going to look at the differences in competencies in these two programs. Research has shown that quality patient care depend on having a well educated...
Words: 1137 - Pages: 5
...Differences in competencies between nurses with associate degree verses baccalaureate degree level Is there a difference in the thinking and processing of a nurse with baccalaureate degree and associate degree? According to the researches that were done in the past, there are difference in competencies between Baccalaureate nursing and associate nursing. Performance in nursing care by well educated nursing is higher than one with lesser education. A role of nursing is to help provide healthy and safe environment So that a person can live in an optimal health. Practice of nursing requires good theoretical understanding of health, diseases and their management. It would also need competence in technical skills, critical thinking process organization and time management. How does a nurse get all these qualities? Some of these qualities can be obtained from nursing education and some from experience. What is a competency? “Competencies are outcomes of an educational process, and they also describe the kind of personal abilities most nurse educators are seeking to develop in students, and administrators are seeking to select for and develop on the job” (Alverno College Faculty, 1976; Alverno CollegeNursingFaculty, 1985; Mentkowski & Doherty, 1984). According to this definition competencies are attained by education and experience. Faculty is responsible to evaluate the competency of a nursing student. Competencies can be tested by giving a scenario and see how the nursing...
Words: 807 - Pages: 4
...Differences in competencies between nurses with associate degree verses baccalaureate degree level Is there a difference in the thinking and processing of a nurse with baccalaureate degree and associate degree? According to the researches that were done in the past, there are difference in competencies between Baccalaureate nursing and associate nursing. Performance in nursing care by well educated nursing is higher than one with lesser education. A role of nursing is to help provide healthy and safe environment So that a person can live in an optimal health. Practice of nursing requires good theoretical understanding of health, diseases and their management. It would also need competence in technical skills, critical thinking process organization and time management. How does a nurse get all these qualities? Some of these qualities can be obtained from nursing education and some from experience. What is a competency? “Competencies are outcomes of an educational process, and they also describe the kind of personal abilities most nurse educators are seeking to develop in students, and administrators are seeking to select for and develop on the job” (Alverno College Faculty, 1976; Alverno CollegeNursingFaculty, 1985; Mentkowski & Doherty, 1984). According to this definition competencies are attained by education and experience. Faculty is responsible to evaluate the competency of a nursing student. Competencies can be tested by giving a scenario and see how the nursing...
Words: 806 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 1039 - Pages: 5
...Title: Difference in Competences between Nurse Prepared at Associate Level vs. Baccalaureate Level Nursing- Patient Case Scenario Difference in Competences between Nurse Prepared at Associate Level vs. Baccalaureate Level Nursing history has proven the necessity of education in practice. Even though all nursing license or diploma have the same target of protection, promotion human being well-being and illness prevention, there are many different levels of tasks that different degree of nurses can proceed. Differences in Competencies between Associate Degree Nurse vs Baccalaureate Degree Nurses Education is the key factor for the growth and development of nursing. With associate degree, students have been prepared with all knowledge and skills to work in the real world. Information about diseases, treatments, diagnosis, signs and symptoms along with interventions are applied to the plan of care and communicated among the team. Within 3 years, an associate degrees program will prepare hands-on nurses to be ready for the real world of nursing. However, a 4 years of baccalaureate nursing program will encompass the associate program plus a broader scope of practice such as nursing research, management, public and community health, humanities and sciences. It opens up a bridge to get to master degree for a more in-depth nursing knowledge. All the additional courses of baccalaureate nursing program provide nurses ways to empower the roles of assessing, critical thinking...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...Baccalaureate-Degree Nurses Versus Associate-Degree Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V January 31, 2016 Baccalaureate-Degree Nurses Versus Associate-Degree According to the American Nurses Association (2010), “a competency is an expected level of performance, knowledge, skills, abilities and judgment” (p. 12). Does the amount of education matter in regards to an associate-degree level nurse (ADN) verses a baccalaureate-degree level nurse (BSN) when it comes to a nurse’s competence? The purpose of this paper will review and compare competencies between nurses studying at the level of ADN versus BSN and describe a patient care scenario where the decision-making process would differ between degree levels. Nursing Education According to the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN), there are three (3) different levels of education for registered nurses that are offered. These include, a 3-year diploma (offered in hospitals), 3-year associate degree from a community college and the 4-year baccalaureate degree which can be obtained through universities or senior level colleges (AACN, 2014). In order to become a registered nurse, specific amounts of education is needed to receive a degree. Education is imperative. Once graduated from one of the three programs, the same National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) will be given. This exam tests minimal competencies to enter the nursing profession and there is no comparison in the passing rate (AACN, 2014)...
Words: 1083 - Pages: 5
...The Difference in competencies between Nurses prepared at the Associate Degree level versus the Baccalaureate Degree level. Frances Frederick-Whiteman Grand Canyon University NRS-430V-0500 January 31, 2016 As one progresses through life, they are given many opportunities to become distinguished among others. This opportunity is given to all, but only few will uptake them, and even fewer are able to see through with the opportunity at hand. This situation in itself can be used to identify the differences in competences between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate degree level. When receiving an education in nursing care, you are taught guideline procedures to handle a situation at hand. However, while practicing nursing care, you may need to deviate from the educational process taught to handle the situation. For example, during your educational process, you may have been taught to handle a fallen patient in a certain manner. However, because of the many complications that the patient may have, you may have to alter the way in which you must handle the patient. Students and educational administrators involved in nursing education are responsible for providing appropriate development and use of nursing knowledge. Nurses can receive...
Words: 1117 - Pages: 5
...Differences in Competencies between Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate Degree Nurses “BSN in 10” bills either pending or under legislation in some states, will require nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree in 10 years. Even more hospitals and healthcare facilities seeking Magnet status seem to be encouraging Associate Degree nurses to return to school or obtain a BSN before applying for employment. Nursing is a profession that involves skills and knowledge to provide optimum level of care. ADN versus BSN has been an issue of controversy for years. The primary focus of this paper will be discussing the differences in competencies of nurses educated in an ADN level to those educated in a BSN level. These differences include varying curriculum requirements, education content and patient outcomes. The first difference in ADN and BSN is the amount of education. The associate degree in nursing includes two years in the nursing program and can be obtained at a community or junior college. However, there are prerequisite courses required for entry into the nursing program, so ADN programs can be at least 3 years in length. Today, earning an ADN takes almost as long as earning a BSN (Orsolini-Hain & Waters, 2009). In contrast, baccalaureate degree in nursing includes four academic years of college at a four year university. Both degrees take the same NCLEX board exam for licensing and both degrees enter into the same position as a registered nurse, with similar wages and benefits...
Words: 891 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 1276 - Pages: 6
...Difference In Competence Between Nurses With Associate Degree versus The Baccalaureate Degree nkechi oke Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V May 10, 2015 The purpose of Nursing education is to prepare individuals that have interest in the nursing profession to become nursing care professionals. Nursing education has an important value on the competence and knowledge achieved by the nurse and other health care professionals. Nursing has gradually developed in every direction of the healthcare field as well as the nursing roles in healthcare. Health care employers increasingly are recognizing that education makes a difference and are looking to hire nurses with higher education (Trautman 2015). Most employers want to hire nurses who can implement the latest research and evidence into practice, providing sensitive and quality care. An associate degree in nursing is a nursing degree that is usually awarded and obtained from the community college which typically takes two to three years to complete. In the 1970’s the associate degree in nursing (ADN) program helped to control and minimize the shortage of nurses there by encouraging facilities to educate their nurses in the community college. In 1951 nurse educator Mildred Montag proposed a new program to prepare nurse technicians in two year associate degree in the community colleges (Creasia and Friberg 2011). Graduates of the Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) program must pass a national licensing examination, known...
Words: 1165 - Pages: 5
...Running head: DIFFERENCES OF A BACCALAUREATE AND ASSOCIATE DEGREE Comparison of competencies between Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Prepared Nurses Kim Krapf Grand Canyon University NRS 430v October 11, 2013 The big question every nursing student asks is why a baccalaureate degree? How does this make me more valuable than a nurse receiving an associate’s degree? Does this make me a better nurse and why? These questions are posed all the time and the debate between both degrees continues. This paper will show the differences in both degree’s, point out how it is important to keep up with the competitive edge in healthcare, why it is so driven by education, and how the different levels of degrees impacts patient care. Both baccalaureate prepared RN’s and associate prepared RN’s is that both take the NCLEX exam, which is looking for a minimum safe competency level. The associate degree takes two years and 72 credits to complete. The baccalaureate degree builds on that base and takes four years and 125 credits. The main difference in these two programs is how they are prepared for the scope of practice, and the different levels of education they receive in community health and leadership skills. (Moore, 2009) Students who enter the associates degree in nursing (ADN) program focus on the pathophysiology of the disease process and how it affects the patient. The primary focus is on building competencies surrounding direct patient care. ADN...
Words: 904 - Pages: 4
...Competency Differences Between Adn and Bsn Nurses The Difference in competencies between Nurses prepared at the Associate Degree level versus the Baccalaureate Degree level. Bernice Brown-Hypolite Grand Canyon University, Phoenix Arizona: NRS-430V-0500 November 24, 2015 Introduction: Education enhances both clinical competency and quality care delivery. Quality patient care hinges on having a well-educated nursing workforce. 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. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is committed to working collaboratively to create a more highly qualified nursing workforce since education enhances both clinical competency and care delivery. The AACN fact sheet looks at today’s nursing workforce, highlights research, connecting education to outcomes and outlines the capacity of four year colleges to enhance the level of nursing education in the U.S. The definition of Associate Degree and Baccalaureate degree is stated below: Associate Degree in Nursing: The Associated Degree was founded by Dr. Mildred Montag in 1956, in order to alleviate the shortage of Nurses after World War 11, by decreasing the length of education to 2 years, and also providing a sound educational base for nurses. Creasia and Friberg (2011). This program was deemed successful because the graduates were able to pass...
Words: 831 - Pages: 4
...Differences in competencies between the associate degree and baccalaureate degree nurse A Registered nurse is one who has completed at least an Associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and who has been successful in passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Even though the associate degree and bachelor’s degree nurse share similar roles, differences in competencies do exist between these two nursing roles. An associate degree level nurse is one that studied for two years in a community college setting, and whose training focuses mainly on nursing theory and skills. “The graduate of an associate nursing degree program is prepared to provide and coordinate safe, quality holistic patient-centered care as an entry-level professional nurse in a variety of health care settings” (Amarillo College Nursing Division, 2010). The associate degree nurse is prepared to administer care in structured healthcare settings such as community hospitals and long term healthcare facilities. The associate degree nurse not only functions within the nurse’s legal scope of practice but also adheres to the policies and procedures of the healthcare institution. The associate degree nurse functions as an entry-level professional and assists in promoting, restoring and maintaining the health of patients and families. The nurse utilizes a systematic approach and clinical reasoning to provide patient centered care. The nurse provides safe and quality care...
Words: 1012 - Pages: 5
...Running Head: Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Levels Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Levels Elizabeth N. Asuagbor Grand Canyon University October 12, 2014 Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Levels In today’s rapidly changing health care environment, the nursing role is becoming less traditional and increasingly more diverse (Creasia, & Friberg, 2011). Health care organizations continue to make changes to keep up with the changing environment. An area of focus is the need for competent nurses with emphasis for Baccalaureate prepared nurses. This need continue to increase and has gained the support of American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AAACN). A BSN in nursing has been highly valued by organization and groups such as the U.S. Military and the Coalition for Advancement of the Nursing Profession (Lane & Kohlenberg, 2010). With the increasing need for Baccalaureate nurses, the question remains then, are there any differences in competencies between Baccalaureate nurses and Associate Degree nurses? This essay will focus on some of the differences between the various degrees. The preparation and training between BSN nurses and ADN nurses differ in some aspects. In BSN programs, training is focused on the how with more emphasis on the why. The difference in the length of time with regards to schooling cannot be overlooked. The...
Words: 988 - Pages: 4
