...Baccalaureate-Degree Level in Nursing Jenny Curie Grand Canyon University NRS-430V Tara Harris February 10, 2013 DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN ADN VS BSN 2 Competency is defined as the quality of being competent. To be competent one must possess required skill, knowledge, qualification, or capacity. The profession of nursing requires a skillset and knowledge base that is specific to its kind. There are many options in one’s educational journey to obtain a nursing degree. Nursing is the largest health care profession in our society today with three million registered nurses nationwide (AACN, Nursing Workforce). Along with the growing profession and the ever growing need for quality health care the debate over what qualifies a nurse to be skillful and competent in her profession and what type of education is required is at the for front. What are the differences in competency between a nurse with an associates degree and one holding a baccalaureate degree? Of the three million registered nurses nationwide 50% of those hold a baccalaureate degree while 36.1% have an associates degree, and 13% a diploma (AACN, Nursing Workforce). The quality in which we provide patient care and the need for those in this field to obtain higher levels of education is being discussed. The NCLEX exam taken to become a licensed nurse in any given state only tests for the minimum technical competency for safe entry into basic nursing practice (FACT SHEET). ...
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...AACN's Essentials for Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing (link located in the Week 1 Topic Materials)? Explain your rational. http://www.gcu.edu/About-Us/Mission-and-Vision.php http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing-and-Health-Care-Professions.php As for me, the Comparisons that can be found between the Grand Canyon University (GCU) Mission and Domains/College of Nursing (CON) Mission and Program Competencies with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Essentials for Master Education for Advance Practice Nursing are as follows: First, Grand Canyon University mission and domains prepares the students to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders by providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of Christian heritage (http://www.gcu.edu/about-Us.php), whereas with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Essentials for Master’s Education for Advance Practice Nursing focus predominantly on the education of nurses for advanced practice nursing in direct care roles which comprises two elements, Master’s Education: Societal Role , which is practice oriented with a goal that professional s develop advanced skills and knowledge for their professional roles and those programs that are more theoretically or research directed with a goal of developing scholars for generation of new knowledge and Master’s Education in Nursing: Diversity and range, which primary...
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...Advanced Generalist: Reaction Paper In today’s society nursing has grown to fit the healthcare needs of society. We have grown by providing different nursing educational roles that will evolve healthcare as we know it. The advanced generalist education role is a clinical nurse leader. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing defines the clinical nurse leader role (CNL) as a leader in the healthcare system that delivers care across different settings within a Microsystems, using assimilation and application of research-based information to design, implement and evaluate the patients plan of care (Thompson, and Lulham, 2007). The Clinical Nurse Leader is further described as designing and implementing, and evaluating client care by coordination, delegation, and supervision of the care provided by the health care team (Thompson and Lulham, 2007). Thompson and Lulham (2007) states that the healthcare team in which supervision care is provided from the CNL include the license nurses, technicians, and other various health care professionals. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2013) states that clinical nurse leaders are masters prepared nurses that involves risk anticipation for individuals and groups of patients, implementation of evidence based practice initiatives, team leadership, management and collaboration with other health care professional team members, and the use of information system and technologies to improve healthcare. The advance generalist advocates...
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...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). Associate-Degree Nurses Associate-degree nursing programs include one year of general education and two years of clinical courses which prepare the nurse for working in community hospitals, long term care facilities...
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...qualified nursing workforce to deliver the high quality patient care. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Fact sheets: It continuously thrive to increase the highly qualified nursing workforce with education, so nurse will be more competent in clinical aspects and deliver high quality of care. Presently, successfully completion of Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Baccalaureate Degree Nursing (BSN) graduate program study is the route to become a nurse in the United States, after passing the NCLEX exam. Both program are differed by when they started, reason for establishment and the study contents of it, are as follows. In 1952, ADN program is was first designed by the Mildred Montag, to alleviate the nursing shortage by creating technical nurses. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is normally subsist of general education and clinical courses credits coursed and study time is 2 years long. It is normally awarded by the Community colleges and nursing schools. Upon completion of such program, nursing student is eligible for NCLEX-RN license exam. As stated by Creasia & Friberg (2011), ADN program is very successful nursing program, which make ADN nurse eligible to pass NCLEX-RN exam and start a career as nurse with strong clinical competency. While Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) program was started in 1909 in University of Minnesota. This Program required 5 years of study, divided in 2 years of general education and 3 years...
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...the Bachelor’s Level Verses Associate’s Level Even though trends of healthcare have greatly changed over the years, education has been a consistent trend paving a path in nursing. Nurses plays a very critical part in delivering efficient, safe, holistic, and patient-focused care. Nurses are regarded as one of the most trusted professions. Nurses have a great responsibility to their patients to provide them with the upmost care. This includes work in treatment, planning and management. This increasing responsibility of the care provided by the Nurses, calls for better qualified nurses. Continuing education is important in the medical field because it is often changing. Health professional must be up to date on practices and procedures. While the Associates degree prepares nurses on clinical skills, BSN objective’s target leadership, nursing research, and management. This gained knowledge allows for nurses to make better decisions, plan and manage outcomes (AACN, 2014). Nurses are able to better understand complex processes, therefore able to adjust as needed to get the best possible outcome. It is this combination of knowledge and skills used to advance the work of a nurse at the Bachelor’s level. Competencies of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing The two year Associates Degree in Nursing was created by Mildred Montag. Her revolution helped with a nursing shortage during World War II by creating another level of nurse known as the “technical” nurse (GCU, 2016). Associate...
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...ead the AACN documents for essentials of baccalaureate versus master's education and identify the competencies that reflect use of theory and knowledge. Compare and contrast the competencies for baccalaureate and master's level. Baccalaureate Prepared Nurse: According to AACN essentials, the baccalaureate curricula emphasizes concepts related to patient centered care, evidence based practice, quality improvement, patient safety, clinical reasoning/critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and practice across the lifespan in an ever changing and complex healthcare environment (AACN, 2011) This in-depth education encourages professional development and allows the baccalaureate graduate to better understand the many social, cultural, economic and political issues that impact patients and influence healthcare. Nursing practice is built on nursing knowledge, theory, and research. In addition, nursing practice derives knowledge from a wide array of other fields and professions, adapting and applying this knowledge as appropriate to professional practice (AACN, 2011). It is believed, the baccalaureate education, is the foundation upon which all graduate nursing education builds (AACN, 2011). . Master's prepared nurse: Master education curricula provide advanced, focused training in one particular area of nursing care. The programs incorporate theories of nursing science and health care management and include extensive clinical experience and research....
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...offered at senior colleges and universities. Graduates of all the above programs take the same NCLEX-RN licensing examination. To understand the contrast in competencies between an associate degree in nursing and a baccalaureate degree in nursing, it is logical to first define competency. According to the American Nurses Association (2008), competency is described as “an expected level of performance that integrates knowledge, skills, abilities and judgment” (p.3). Graduates of both programs have necessary knowledge and skills to render safe and effective care; however, contrary to their counterparts, nurses with a baccalaureate degree have been able to handle situations with an improved analytical lens due to their educational training. Associate degree nursing (ADN) programs are designed to be two years long and are offered at community colleges. Individuals choose a particular program based on their personal situation or preferences. The associate degree provides the graduates with necessary skills to practice the profession safely. The program focuses more on teaching what needs to be done and when, but not why it needs to be done (Creasia & Friberg, 2010). The focus of the program is directed towards acquiring skills necessary to practice nursing. Community nursing and research are not part of the associate degree curriculum. Although the graduates of the associate degree program have been equally successful in passing NCLEX-RN licensing exam, there has been a lot...
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...associate-degree level curricula prepare the nursing student proficiently for a successful entry-level career in nursing. In fact, many studies have been conducted to determine the differentiation of competencies between an Associate of Science degree in Nursing (ASN) and a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree (BSN). Before I discuss about some of the literature findings, I would like to provide one Pennsylvania’s Nursing School ASN objectives which are for the student to gain nursing knowledge, develop clinical skills, and reaffirm care and compassion. Whereas, the BSN program objectives are to enhance nursing knowledge through advancing the student’s critical thinking skills, communication skills, theoretical knowledge, and professional education. (PCHS, 2014) As the reader can see, there is a direct correlation between education received and what the learner can be expected to demonstrate in their nursing career. In this paper, I hope to identify the differences of competencies between both degrees and describe how nursing care approach may differ. The American Association of College in Nursing (AACN) has provided a fact sheet on “The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice”, within in the document, it focuses on studies that report BSN prepared RN’s experience lower mortality rates and better patient outcomes compared to their counterparts. (AACN, 2014) According to AACN, the National Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice reminds us of nursing’s expanded...
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...NRS-403V Professional Dynamics August 23, 2014 Nursing is a profession that has been around for a very long time. While there was not a formal education program when nursing was in its infancy, the need for higher and continuing education has grown exponentially. There are many pathways to choose to enter the field of nursing. Healthcare has had many changes and much advancement. The field continues to evolve on a daily basis. The needs of people are more complex, nurses have a lot of responsibility, and the need for a nurse with a higher education is in demand. There are differences between nurses prepared at a higher level of education, and the care that is delivered may also be affected depending on level of education. There are many differences between the nurse who has been prepared at the associate degree level and the nurse who has been prepared at the baccalaureate degree level. One big difference is what is viewed as critical content in the curriculum. Nursing educators from both the associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs agreed that important content for curriculum include, “nursing process, caring, communication, ethics, accountability, aging, and cultural diversity” (Meyer, 1997). However, BSN nursing educators also included “critical thinking, health teaching, leadership, and professionalism as essential components” (Meyer, 1997). Patient outcomes are better when nurses have continued their education beyond the diploma or associate degree. Many research...
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...ever evolving pursuit of perfection in healthcare and in the nursing profession, healthcare providers have come to the conclusion that elevated levels of formal education are necessary among nurses to ensure the highest degree of care possible. Current education levels found among the working profession have been found wanting and in need of improvement. Formal educational differences between those who have sought and obtained their baccalaureate in nursing versus those who have stopped at an associate degree or a diploma in nursing have been shown to contribute to differences in patient outcomes in many healthcare environments. The movement towards an overall increased level of education among nursing professionals has received momentum and support from many of the most reputable of healthcare organizations and is clearly the wave of the future. This paper is intended to detail the differences and benefits of advanced formal education in the nursing field and efforts to elevate the nursing workforce through education. While the current levels are considered lacking and those deficient levels are indicative of bad environments for healthcare, the future of nursing comes with it a promise of growth and improvement. Current Education in Nursing The undersupplied nursing profession has, over the years, pushed organizations to staff their nursing teams with approximately ½ of their workforce consisting of educations less than the baccalaureate level. Often times the justification...
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...AACN Statement of Support for Clinical Nurse Specialists The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is committed to advancing professional nursing roles and highlighting the connection between well-educated nurses and quality health care. As a leading supporter of academic institutions that educate advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), AACN is keenly aware of the direct link between graduate-prepared nurses and both patient safety and positive outcomes. Within the APRN community, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) play a unique role in the delivery of high quality nursing care. These clinicians are experts in evidence-based nursing and practice in a range of specialty areas, such as oncology, pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatric/mental health, adult health, acute/critical care, and community health among others. In addition to direct patient care, CNSs also engage in teaching, mentoring, consulting, research, management and systems improvement. Able to adapt their practice across settings, these clinicians greatly influence outcomes by providing expert consultation to all care providers and by implementing improvements in health care delivery systems. AACN supports the full definition of the Clinical Nurse Specialist outlined in the American Nurses Association’s 2004 publication titled Nursing: Scope & Standards of Practice. (See Attachment A). Further, the growing body of research on CNS outcomes shows a strong correlation between CNS interventions and safe...
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...College of Nursing (AACN) Fact Sheet: The Impact of Education on Nursing Education, education has a significant impact on the knowledge and competencies of the nurse clinician, as it does for all health care provider. This paper will discuss the differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level and baccalaureate-degree level. In 1952, the associate degree in nursing program (ADN), was designed by Mildred Montag as an alternative preparation for technical nurses in response to the nursing shortage (Creasia, J. L., & Friberg, E. E. 2011). The ADN programs were created to be 2 years in length, and consists of general education and nursing courses. Prior to the first ADN group graduating, some confusion arose about the roles and relationships between nurses. Despite the confusion the ADN group was made eligible to sit for the RN licensing examination. Currently this eligibility is still in effect. The first baccalaureate degree program was established in 1909 at the University of Minnesota (Creasia, J. L., & Friberg, E. E. 2011). Most baccalaureate programs are 4 years in length, and nursing is the major. The baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) graduates are prepared as generalists to practice nursing in beginning leadership positions in a variety of settings, and they are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN(Creasia, J. L., & Friberg, E. E. 2011). The Grand Canyon University College of Nursing Philosophy states “Baccalaureate nursing practice...
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...Associate Degree Nurses vs Bachelor Degree Nurses Gladys Baldwin Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-0501 April 19, 2015 The digressions in the competency of nurses with an associate-degree in nursing and a bachelor-degree in nursing might be puzzling due to the various educational pathways available to become a nurse. Understanding the history of the varied programs available aid in a better understanding of factors that influence nursing education. Nursing programs at all levels offer multiple programs that will offer a student one or more nursing credentials (Creasia, J.L. & Friberg, E., 2011). Nurse leaders have always argued the importance of higher education for nurses. Shortages in nurses evolved and the need to remedy this shortage of nurses lead to the development of the associate degree nursing program by Mildred Montag in 1952. The program could be completed in two years and included general nursing education as well as clinical courses. Originally the program developed by Montag was for the associate degree nurse to work under the supervision of the baccalaureate degree having nurses. The graduates of the associate degree nursing program sat for the NCLEX-RN examination. This was the same exam given to the baccalaureate degree nurses. (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). Today associate degree nurses work in various settings without the direct supervision of baccalaureate degree nurses. Although the associate degree nurse has the skills to provide adequate patient...
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...amount of time period. Patients are requiring more advance care for more complex issues hospitals are now in need of highly skilled, trained professionals to provide this level of care. The quality of patient care and outcome of the patient depends a lot on the level of education of the nurse. Case studies have proven that where positive patient outcomes have been linked to nurses that have a higher level of education Baccalaureate prepared. With that being said one of the main differences between the ADN vs. the BSN is the level of education. There are three educational pathways to become a Registered Nurse 1. Three-year diploma program. 2. Two year Associate Degree program offered at a community college 3. Is a four year program Baccalaureate Degree program. (AACN, 2014, #3) An Associates degree in nursing is earned over a course of two years and the curriculum is more technical and bedside focused (Creasia &Friberg, 2011). The Bachelor of Science in nursing includes the same course work as the ADN. The BSN is more in depth in the treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management and humanities (AACN, 2014, para#4) According to the AACN “ The additional course work enhances the students professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, “ and allows the baccalaureate graduate to” better understand the many social, cultural, economic and political issues that impact patients...
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