...DIFFERENCE IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN NURSES WITH ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND BACCALAUREATE DEGREES Kelly Matthews Grand Canyon University: RN to BSN NRS 430 V – PROFESSIOANL DYNAMICS 06/14/12 Abstract This is an attempt to analyze the differences in competencies between the nurses with Associate Degree (ADN) and Bachelor’s degree (BSN) in Nursing. The contemporary nursing career demands critical thinking, effective communication skills and comprehensive knowledge. To be equipped with these attributes, a Nurse must pursue at least the BSN degree program. The salient points considered for this analysis and finding are: • A comparison of curricula of both programs. • Increasing requirement of Educators, Researchers and Administrators in Nursing. • Patient safety, quality of care, sync with technological advancements. • A patient care situation. DIFFRENCES IN COMPETENCIES OF NURSES WITH ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND BACCALAUREATE DEGREE Education is an infinite process. Everyday, new developments emerge and new deceases and remedies discovered. The overall outlook of healthcare professions has dramatically changed in the past few decades. Nursing plays a very critical and important part in efficient care and patient safety. Nurses work shoulder to shoulder with physicians in treatment planning and management. Legal and ethical responsibility of the care provided is also increasingly shared by the Nurses. Nursing profession thus calls for better qualified and well groomed...
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...Differences in Competency between ADN and BSN Nurses Angela G. Strickland Grand Canyon University NRS-430V August 15, 2012 Differences in Competency between ADN and BSN Nurses Presently if a person chooses to be a registered nurse they can follow three different pathways; diploma, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree. Diploma nurses obtain their education through a hospital based program. Associate degree programs are similar to baccalaureate degree programs except not as in-depth because of this they are more fast-paced. The Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is a four year academic degree that depending on which school and program can be very pricey. All three of these pathways will qualify the nurse to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX only tests for the minimum competency in order to work as a safe nurse. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) “The NCLEX-RN is only one indicator of competency, and it does not measure performance over time or test for all of the knowledge and skills developed through a BSN program” (Rosseter, 2012). In this paper only the competency of the ADN and BSN nurses will be discussed. A large percentage of nurses take the associate degree pathway, it is an attractive option because of the shortened amount of time it takes to graduate and begin work as a registered nurse, plus it takes half the amount of money. The associate degree programs were developed in order to...
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...Differences in Competences between Nurse Prepared at Associate Level vs. Baccalaureate Level Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V- Professional Dynamics June 7, 2015 Differences in Competencies between Nurse Prepared at Associate Level vs. Baccalaureate Level There have been many comparisons between the different levels of nursing education, mainly between the Associate degree level vs. the Baccalaureate level. Having a Bachelor’s degree nor an Associate degree will not necessarily make a better nurse, however, there are differences in their course of study that will differentiate them from one another and how they approach patient care. This paper will differentiate the competencies between the Associate degree prepared nurse vs. the Baccalaureate degree nurse. In 1951, Mildred Montag, a nurse educator, started the Associate Degree program to reduce the nursing shortage after the war. The program’s success was measured by the students’ ability to pass the nursing licensure exam (Creasia, Friberg, 2011). The Associate Degree program is today’s most popular route to become a Registered Nurse. It can be taken in a community or junior colleges as a two-year program and once the students graduate, they are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), to become a registered nurse. Baccalaureate degree nursing was also founded after the war (Creasia, Friberg, 2011). It is a nursing program that requires a four-year education at colleges and universities. Graduates...
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...Running head: The differences in competencies between the Associate Degree Nurse and the Baccalaureate Degree Nurse Educational Preparedness: The differences in competencies between the Associate Degree nurse and the Baccalaureate Degree Nurse Grand Canyon University: Nrs-430V Professional Dynamics Diane Irby January 25, 2014 Introduction In 1860 nurse training began after the Crimean war. Florence Nightingale started the nursing program by caring for the sick, injured and dying soldiers during the war. The first nursing school was established in London. During the civil war the American women provided skilled nursing care. During world-war II they needed more nurses so an Associate’s Degree nurse program was developed. This was intended for them to work in the field of nursing as a technical nurse, assisting and working under the supervision of the professional nurse. (Creasia J., & Freiberg, E (2011). Differences in competencies between the Associate degree nurse and the Baccalaureate degree nurse There are 3 levels of nursing. 1. The diploma nurse who is trained by the hospitals this level hardly exists anymore. 2. The Associate’s degree nurse who gets the training at community colleges and Universities. They learn the technical aspects of nursing by learning the knowledge and skills needed to provide direct care to patients and families mostly in the acute care setting. 3. The baccalaureate nurse which is earned at the university...
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...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...
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...Competency Differences between ADN and BSN Prepared Nurses Linda Jewell Grand Canyon University Competency Differences between ADN and BSN Prepared Nurses Merriam-Webster defines nurse as: “a person who cares for the sick or infirm; specifically: a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health”. This definition gives no differentiation between the nurse educated at the Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) level and the nurse educated at the Associate degree of nursing (ADN) level. Many do not realize there is difference between the two. Both nurses subscribe to the same nursing philosophies and teachings but the baccalaureate nurse expands upon those philosophies and teachings to provide a higher standard of care. On a day to day basis, nurses are asked to draw on their training, experiences and education to make decisions about the care of their patients. Many times it is the nurses that suggest treatments and medications to the physicians since they have more one-on-one time with the patients. A BSN educated nurse may think of a treatment or medication based on her course work or even experience on the job that an ADN nurse would not. In many long-term care facilities, the method of treatment of wounds is often left up to the nurse to decide and get approved by the physician. Every nurse has different experiences with what has worked...
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...Study Of Charge Nurse Competencies Yvette Thornton Grand Canyon University May 27, 2011 NRS 433V The article,” A qualitative study of charge nurse competencies” by authors Yoder, Connelly and Miner-Williams in the October 2003 issue of MedSurg Nurse, focus on the lack of formal training for charge nurses and the feedback from the staff on what competencies are necessary for a charge nurse to be effective. This qualitative study sought to identify a key set of competencies that are necessary for the charge nurse to an effective leader and through effective leadership, improve patient care. The authors reviewed current literature while researching the topic. As stated in this excerpt from the article by Yoder, Connelly and Miner-Williams(2003) such as recent articles offer advice to the new charge nurse (Costello-Nickitas, 1997; Shermont & Russell, 1996; Sonnenberg, 1999), to managers about the role (Zimmerman, 2000), or about the legal responsibilities of the team leader and charge nurse based on litigation (Mahlmeister & Koniack-Griffin, 1999). There are no true charge nurse development or training programs or studies that focus on this issue at all. In one of the few studies about the role, Bostrom and Suter (1992) examined charge nurse decision making concerning patient assignments. They concluded that experienced charge nurses considered more factors in making assignments and relied less on the acuity system than did novice charge nurses. Some authors have...
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...Do Baccalaureate- Prepared Nurses have Higher Level of Clinical Competency and Care Delivery over Associate Degree Nurses? Susan Olson Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS-430 Dr. Monica Kidder June 10, 2016 Do BSN nurses have higher level of clinical competency and care delivery over ADN nurses? The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has compiled a fact sheet: “Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce”(Rosseter, 2015, p.1). This fact sheet is a very extensive list of worldwide research connecting education to outcomes. This list is compiled of about twenty-four major research studies with very compelling evidence to support the overall claim that having more baccalaureate-prepared nurses(BSN) in the workforce will increase patient safety and decrease patient deaths. The numbers are consistent throughout all the research provided in the fact sheet. Basically, a 10% increase in the proportion of baccalaureate-prepared nurses decreases the mortality by roughly 10%. (Rosseter, 2015). Associate Degree Nurses (ADN) are equated with entry level nursing, and BSN nurses are considered more advanced because of the higher level of education. Education, being the key word here, not necessarily that BSN is better than ADN. After reading the research, an ADN could come away feeling like they are in some way, not as good as the preferred BSN graduates. The American Organization of Nurse Executives state this push for higher education is preparing...
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...Educational Preparation Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Level Is a nurse a nurse? Many nurses seem to do the same things at a glance. They may perform procedures similarly but is the thought process equal? Defining an Associate Degree in Nursing nurse (ADN) and a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing nurse (BSN) helps to begin understanding the differences they incur. An Associate’s degree program can be completed in 2 years and the focus is on the technical aspects of nursing, at the community college level (Hood & Leddy, 2006, p.18-19). This nurse is usually more task oriented or technical. The Baccalaureate degree RN is a four-year program at a college or university level. The focus is towards more independent thinking within a community as a whole (Hood & Leddy, 2006, p. 19). This nurse concentrates on evidence-based practices. There has been discussion and debate over the mentioned differences and desires since 1965. More recently, In the October 2012 issue of Medical Care, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that surgical patients in Magnet hospitals had 14% lower odds of inpatient death and 12% lower odds of failure-to-rescue compared with patients cared for in non-Magnet hospitals. The study concluded that better outcomes were attributed in large part to investments in highly qualified and educated nurses, including a higher proportion of baccalaureate prepared nurses. McHugh, MD et al. (2012) Both degrees...
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...Comparing Competencies of the Associate Versus Baccalaureate Degree Prepared Nurse The American Association of Nursing (AACN) defines nursing as “the protection, promotion, and organization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations”. (American Nurses Association;) Nurses receive education in the United States by completing a baccalaureate degree (BSN), associate degree (ADN) or diploma program. Graduation from one of these programs allow the nurse to be eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which nursing graduates must pass in order to receive initial licensure (ANA). Once the nurse has achieved licensure, they earn the title of Registered Nurse (RN); little differentiation exists in terms of entry-level practice, so one might wonder why a nursing student would choose a baccalaureate degree program over an associate or diploma program. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the difference in competencies between the ADN and BSN, and how those differences might influence the practice of the nurse. The paper will not discuss the diploma prepared RN because “diploma programs have diminished steadily-to 4% of all basic RN programs in 2006…” (American Nurses Association, 2011) Describing Competency In order to illustrate the difference in competencies...
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...The Competencies of ADN Nurses vs. the Competencies BSN Nurses Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V May 5, 2012 Abstract Both ADN and BSN nurse needs to take licensing examinations to start working as a registered nurse in the United States. Associate degrees require two years of studying in a community college. However a bachelor’s degree requires four years of academic studying in a college. The first topic of the paper is whether not the risk taking propensities of the nurses changed between ADN and BSN nurses. A second topic of this paper is whether there is a different sort of management role between ADN nurses and BSN nurses. Lastly the quality of work between the Associate Degree Nurses (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree Nurses (BSN) will be examined to see if the competency of the ADN and BSN differs. The Competencies of ADN Nurses vs. the Competencies BSN Nurses History of Nursing According to Joan L Creasia and Elizabeth Friberg, the first baccalaureate degree of nursing in the U.S.A was started in the University of Minnesota in 1909. Until the 1950’s the program usually consisted of two years of general education and then three years of nursing education. These nurses who graduated in 5 years could either begin as a general nurse who works in the hospital and is a part of patient care or they can join the management side of patient care and become managers of hospitals. For the BSN they would have to study liberal arts, patient quality...
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...How are we as nurses going to keep up with our required learning and competencies? It’s a lifelong battle to get the number of CEU’s and then, let’s not forget, the stuff we need just to function in our respective jobs. I’ve spoken to a lot of my peers concerning this issue and we all say, we have too much to do just to stay current and all the education and required competencies are taking us away from our patient’s bedside. The sheer amount of required education has more than doubled for me in the last 25 years. With that said, how do we do it? Upon researching this topic I found a lot of questions surface as to what it is to be competent and having competency. These are not the same, as stated by McConnell, (1998). “Competence is the potential ability, a capability to function in a given situation” and “Competency focuses on your actual performance in a situation”. Competency starts first with your college or basic level of education. This marks the beginning of a lifelong learning journey. The most appropriate method depends on what needs to be learned. According to McConnell, (1998), “your competence makes you capable of fulfilling your job responsibilities. Competency means, however, that you fulfill your job as expected”. There are many methods or types of instruction. Multi sensory stimulation: hands on learning as an example, is best for increasing skill and retention. The more senses you involve the more likely you will retain this information. I like the statement...
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...While the Registered Nurse, be it ADN or BSN, provides similar care as regards skill level, medicine administration, and composition of care plans, the LVN is more limited in scope. The LVN is not permitted to hang or push IV medications, perform admission assessments, write nursing care plans, or flush PICC/Central lines. Differences between ADN and BSN are often more subtle as regards both learning and application. Bachelor level nurses typically demonstrate a higher level of competency when dealing with patients of greater comorbidity and acuity as well as a more sophisticated approach to decision making. Medical terminology indicates comorbidity as multiple system diagnosis of disease, such as a patient with both acute renal failure and congestive heart failure. Such an individual presents a unique challenge in that blood pressure control is at risk via both systems. While both ADN and BSN may approach the nephrologist regarding use of a diuretic, the BSN will have a superior understanding regarding risks/side-affects as pertains to each system, ideal length of use, and related laboratory results to communicate to each physician specialist. This difference in ability stems, in part, from additional hours exposing them to extensive pathophysiology, pharmacology, and research involving all aspects of the profession. Acuity reflects patient stability and while list of diagnosis, patient history, and physical may contribute a more intimate knowledge of client needs, the...
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... & Rankin, 2013, p. e43 The transition from being a nursing student to a novice nurse is a challenge that can be overwhelmingly filled with stress and anxiety. Providing a structured orientation program is helpful in easing this stress and anxiety for a short period of time. After orientation, novice nurses are faced with challenges that require critical thinking and clinical skills beyond what he/she has developed causing a spike in stress and anxiety. Continuing education will help in the progression of a novice nurse to that of an expert nurse, however not exclusively....
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...Competencies of Baccalaureate-Degree Nurses As health care becomes more complex and clinical knowledge expands, nurses must have the appropriate educational groundwork to competently perform their job. As the delivery of care to the community becomes more complex, the old adage of a nurse simply being a bedside caregiver has evolved. More emphasis must be placed on coordinated health care, including health promotion, maintenance, and affordable managed care. In an effort to provide community-based health care outside the inpatient hospital setting, health maintenance organizations, community health, outpatient centers, home, public schools, and nursing centers were developed (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 1998). These developments command higher educated nurses to work in environments with an advanced skill-set so as to operate independently with regards to clinical decision-making and case management. Such responsibilities encompass delegation skills in addition to organizing medical care across multiple settings. Consequently, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) identifies “the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice” (AACN, 2000, para. 2). Contrary to a nurse with an associate degree, a nurse with a baccalaureate degree is outfitted to work in all health care settings. The curriculum of the BSN program incorporates “clinical, scientific, decision-making, and humanistic...
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