The Difference in Competencies Between ADN and BSN Prepared Nurses

In the United States today, there are three levels of education that prepare students to sit for examination to become registered nurses. These include Diploma programs that are hospital based, Associates of Science Degree programs, mostly taught at Community Colleges, and Baccalaureate Degree attained at four year universities and colleges. The purpose of this discussion is to look at the differences between he Associates Degree trained nurse and the Baccalaureate trained nurse. Due to the varying levels of care provided by these nursing professionals, it is important to understand the differences. In addition, this discussion will examine how these differences affect the nurse’s approach to care and the effect of that approach upon the patient’s response to that care.
The Associates Degree in nursing is generally offered at the Community College level. It offers an efficient and more economical pathway to becoming a nurse. These “graduates are prepared with clinical competence” and are considered proficient in the technical skills required to perform patient care safely in a variety of settings (Raines & Tagliareni, 2008). Associate Degree nurses are expected to provide safe bedside care, including use of the nursing process and to adhere to specific organizational guidelines. Their emphasis is on the needs of the patient, and the patient’s family. ADN’s are trained to delegate care to, and to supervise Licensed Practical Nursed and Nursing Assistants. It is common for the ADN to provide education to patients and their families utilizing standard teaching plans (https://lc-gcu.edu/learningPlatorm/contents/view/content/2/6/2657f7e6-293f-4cde-).
The Baccalaureate Degree prepared nurse’s training includes the aforementioned skills and the processes taught at the Associate Degree