...October 18, 2014 Nurses are important in maintaining better healthcare for our world today. Obtaining a nursing degree can be reached by Bachelor in nursing (BSN), Associate Degree (ADN), or diploma. The type of degree received depends on how many years of schooling the individual completed. Although both types of nurses provide proficient care, comparing the two degrees bachelor prepared nurses have a higher competence level than associate prepared nurses in today’s society. Associate prepared nurses (ADN) receive their degree after completing two years of higher level education. This degree offers a basic knowledge of nursing care for the lifespan of the patient. The ADN will implement nursing care with integrity, responsibility, caring and high quality. Due to the limited amount education received an ADN nurse may have a lower skill set level than a bachelor prepared nurse. Graduates of ADN programs possess a core of nursing knowledge common to all nursing education routes. (Mahaffey, 2002). Even though they receive the required nursing classes they don’t receive the classes that enhance critical thinking which in turn could lower their competency level. Based on information provided the ADN nurse has an adequate but lower competency level than a BSN nurse. Bachelor prepared nurses (BSN) receive an additional two years of education beyond the ADN. Expect courses in leadership and management, community health or population focused nursing, and evidence...
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...and financial gain. There is no doubt that good educational preparation immensely affects nurses’ competencies in rendering quality patient care. The benefit of acquiring the latest trends and knowledge in healthcare delivery through advancement in education is without any question. The two levels of Nursing education currently are Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing which are offered in Community Colleges and Universities, respectively. Nurses who completed either of these programs take the same nursing qualifying examination to practice nursing in each respective state. Moore (2009) stated that the most basic difference between the two nursing programs is that the ADN has 72 credits units while the BSN has 125 credit units which include subjects in research and statistics. What about their difference in the clinical practice as staff nurse? Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Level the Nursing education of today has two educational levels: the associate level of nursing education which is considered the technical level of nursing. This is a two year educational program offered in the community colleges and the curriculum focuses on the clinical-technical skills of nursing care. The baccalaureate level of nursing education is considered the professional level...
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...Educational Preparation: Associate Degree Nursing VS. Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Gina Danna Grand Canyon University: Professional Dynamics April 9th 2015 There is an increasing demand for advanced level of education for nurses to meet the more complex needs for care in various settings. Baccalaureate nurses are esteemed for their skills in quality patient care, critical thinking, health promotion, leadership and innovations in professional nursing practice across a variety of settings. A baccalaureate degree should be the minimal level of education required for entry-level nurses. Differences in Competencies Between Associate Degree Level and Baccalaureate Degree Level Nurses There are multiple pathways to become a Registered Nurse. The two most common are through the associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs. Each program prepares the student to take the NCLEX exam to be licensed as a Registered Nurse. While each program prepares the student to be a registered nurse, there are differences in competencies amongst the two degree levels. A baccalaureate educated nurse is being preferred over the associate educated nurse due to their diversified responsibilities and clinical expertise. Associate Degree Nursing In 1952 the associate degree in nursing (ADN) was designed for students wanting to become a Registered Nurse. This program was designed by Mildred Montag to prepare nurses to practice in entry-level positions to accommodate...
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...daughter, a wife, a girl with a goal to some day go back to school. I graduated from Los Angeles Valley College in 2007 and always hoped to continue my education. I have looked into it numerous times but to be honest I would get discouraged. I was missing three classes, which were a mandatory requirement and must be completed before the entrance to the BSN program. Every school that I researched had the same criteria, classes must be completed upon submission of application and that wasn’t compatible with my schedule, therefore I kept putting it off for what started to feel like forever! I swear I was beginning to lose my motivation and the whole idea of returning to school was sadly fading. Until one day, it dawned on me, I used to have a neighbor who graduated from University of Phoenix with her BSN. I remember how highly she spoke of the university, so I decided to look into it. So Here I am! Although I changed my start date twice, I am proud to say, the ball is finally rolling. The University of Phoenix has provided me with excellent resources, a flexible schedule and a supportive staff. I still need the three classes required for the BSN program, however it is made possible to take a weekend course for each class followed by an exam. Passing the exam will complete the requirements. The organization that the university referred me to is Dantes Test Preparation, and it is my short-term professional goal to complete the three classes between February 24, 2014 and March 23, 2014. I...
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...The Competent Nurse: The Movement Towards Baccalaureate Degree Nursing There is an ongoing debate on how to properly educate registered nurses. It has been proposed that the entry degree for practice should be the Baccalaureate of Science and Nursing (BSN). In 1951, due to a nursing shortage, the Associate Degree of Nursing was established (Friberg, Creasia, 2011). It is suggested that having two separate entry levels into registered nursing creates inconsistent competencies (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Organization of Nurse Executives, and National Association of Associate Degree Nursing, 1995). This paper is a review of findings that support baccalaureate registered nurses having advanced competencies. Included is an example of a patient care situation connecting the outcome to the registered nurse’s education at the entry level of practice. Most medical treatment team members have educational requirements that are at, if not above, the baccalaureate degree. For registered nurses to have collegial acknowledgement their educational pathway should be at least equivalent. The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) has reported that a baccalaureate registered nurse is best skilled in the ability to effectively communicate patient care within the medical treatment team (Education and Practice. First report, 2001). Additionally the report provides declaration that registered nurses holding a baccalaureate degree are...
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...information infrastructure (IOM (Institute of Medicine), 2011). These recommendations are essential tools that today’s nurses can use to assist in the evolution of nursing practice. Nursing education, nursing practice and leadership skills are all areas that need improvement according to the IOM report. If these improvements are achieved, nurses will be able to enrich the quality of care delivered to their patients using the most up to date research along side fellow healthcare professionals. The IOM report suggests achieving higher levels of education among the nursing community (IOM (Institute of Medicine), 2011). Nurses currently holding an associate’s degree should advance to a baccalaureate or higher degree to meet these standards. BSN degree nurses should advance...
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...Politics, Legislation, and Implications to Patient Care Abstract There are constant changes to laws and legislation regarding patient care and safety. The purpose of this report is to inform the reader of recent and upcoming changes to legislation that may affect nursing care of patients. Research by L. Aiken, et al. and A. Tourangeau, support the need for higher education of registered nurses. Their research proves that patient outcomes are improved when registered nurses carry a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Research conducted by J. Needleman, et al., concluded that reducing the nurse-patient ratio resulted in the patient being at less risk for developing hospital-acquired illnesses as well as a reduced risk of inpatient mortality. The reader will also be informed about the Joint Commission’s protocol for reducing the occurrence of wrong-patient, wrong-site, and wrong-procedure during surgical procedures. Politics, Legislation, and Implications to Patient Care As the American population ages, healthcare and its resources are in greater demand. As the demand for healthcare increases, the topic of patient safety has become increasingly important. Laws and legislation regarding patient care are changing almost constantly to maintain patient safety while still providing comprehensive patient care. This report will focus on informing the reader of recent and upcoming legislation regarding patient care, what has brought those changes about, and the effects it can...
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