...PREPARED AT THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE LEVEL VERSUS BACCALAUREATE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NURSES PREPARED AT THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE LEVEL VERSUS BACCALAUREATE Different levels at which a nurse is prepared have a strong impact on the nurse`s ability to practice in a health care setting. In the nursing profession, nurses are prepared at different levels. A baccalaureate nurse is a nurse who has completed a four years formal training in a university or senior college and has completed a 120 hours college and has acquired broader understanding in physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, political, economic and social issues. While an associate degree nurse is a nurse who has completed a two years program in a community college and has completed a 60 hours college credit and only acquired understanding of fundamentals of nursing and sometimes lacks some basic knowledge to handle critical issues as they arise in patient care. Although both Educational levels took the same licensure exam after completing their program and have registered nurse license to practice as a registered nurse, there are still some enormous difference between the quality of their work in terms of positive patient outcome, lower mortality rates, quality patient care, clinical competency, administrative/leadership role, critical thinking and decision making. These roles are also incorporated in the GCU college of nursing philosophy where it states” the baccalaureate nursing practice...
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...Nursing is said to be the largest healthcare job in the United States with above 2.6 Million registered nurses (RN’s) working in the hospital and other different settings in the nation. Nursing programs offered by community colleges and four-year universities must meet the growing demand to replace the nearing retiring nurses. (www.aacn.nche.edu/aacn-publications/position/joint-statement) Increasing expansion of clinical knowledge and complexities of patient’s health status mandates current nurses to have a high level of education with diversified skills. The registered nurses requires not only can practice across multiple setting such as simply performing procedures, giving medication and starting an IV’s but also they must exceeds in out of the hospital settings as well. They must know how to think logically and critically in making the appropriate decision in regards to patient care and able to manipulate high tech equipment. Preparation includes greater knowledge to community based health care, giving importance to health promotion, maintenance and cost effective care ("American Association of Colleges of Nursing," 2000, p.1). Nowadays, student can have choices either to have Associate level degree of nursing or Baccalaureate level degree of nursing. Both ADN and BSN must pass the NCLEX-RN licensing examination. The truth is even though nurses pass the NCLEX exam at the same rate does not mean that all entry level nurses are equally prepared for practice. The test only requires...
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...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; The Baccalaureate education provides nurses...
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...Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-Degree level versus the Baccalaureate Degree level in Nursing Grand Canyon University NRS-430V Professional dynamics 125 January 11, 2012 The Differences in Competencies between Nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree level versus the Baccalaureate Degree level in Nursing In modern society human being, encompass extensively sophisticated requisites provoking advanced techniques of acquisition directly correlating to health care industry. The health care is intensifying in complexity and observing beneficial amendments. The longevity and expectations have heightened thus nurses are obligate to become educated in higher echelon, the professional baccalaureate level, to comprehensively achieve composite necessities. The professional nurse who graduates with a baccalaureate is primed for broader role in numerous facet of health care in addition to global knowledge of functionality of medical system and diverse methods of application. Enabling the application in daily patient care ,the delegation of tasks ,independent decision making ,secure patient discharge , and numerous other aspects provoking an improvement in quality of care . 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. (AACN, 2011). Education for nurses is...
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...at the Associate-Degree level versus the Baccalaureate-Degree level in Nursing. Gillian Gimby Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V August 11, 2013 Discussing the Differences in Competencies between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree level versus the Baccalaureate-Degree level in Nursing. Nursing has been constantly evolving in every direction of the health care field. In the beginning of nursing it was built and expanded on many frameworks of education/models. In becoming a registered nurse there are many stage: general educations, prerequisites, nursing school of Associate or Baccalaureate degree, Master of Nursing in multiple fields and Doctoral degree. When becoming a registered nurse there consideration of what type of degree. Within this essay I will be viewing the differences between Associate-degree level (ADN) and Baccalaureate-degree level in nursing (BSN). Definition As defined by Wikipedia the definition of Associate -degree nurse is: “is a tertiary education nursing degree which typically takes 2-3 years to complete. This type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Students awarded an Associate of Science in Nursing are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse”. (Associate of Science in Nursing) As defined by Wikipedia the definition of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing: “is an American and Canadian four-year academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted...
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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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...Differences in competencies: Baccalaureate of Science versus Associate of Science in Nursing Grand Canyon University: Profession Dynamics Section 0106 September 30, 2012 Baccalaureate of Science versus Associate of Science in Nursing There are three educational pathways to becoming a Registered nurse. These include baccalaureate, associate degree, and diploma programs (Friberg et al, 2011). It has been proven in various studies that nurses with a higher level of education provide better quality patient care versus the associate level nurse (Rosseter, 2012). There are several differences in competencies between a associate and baccalaureate nurse that include mortality rates, leadership skills, critical thinking skills, health care promotion, clinical skills, and case management (Rosseter, 2012). Baccalaureate Program The American Association of Colleges of Nursing believes that a Baccalaureate degree has a significant impact on a nurse’s level of competency and knowledge base (Rosseter, 2012). The Baccalaureate program is a four year degree and the nursing courses are at the upper division level (Friber et al., 2011). Courses include health informatics, healthcare economics, leadership, research, and health policies (ANA, 2012). The components of the classes such as at Grand Canyon University (GCU) are liberal education, patient safety, evidence-based practice, management of information, health care policies, communication and collaboration, and professional...
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...Competencies Between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-degree Level Versus the Baccalaureate-degree Level. Amanda J. Perez Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-0105 NRS-430V Professional Dynamics March 10, 2013 The Differences in Competencies Between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-degree Level Versus the Baccalaureate-degree Level. Although both an associate-degree level and baccalaureate-degree level prepared nurses may sit for the same NCLEX-RN exam, “nurses prepared at the baccalaureate-level are linked to lower mortality and failure to rescue rates” (AACN, 2012). This is simply one difference between the competencies of a nurse prepared at an associate-degree level versus one prepared at a baccalaureate-degree level. In the mid 1900’s an associate-degree level nurse was thought of as a “technical nurse”, closer to the role of a limited vocational nurse; created to assist the professional baccalaureate-degree level nurses during nursing shortages (GCU, 2013). Since then associate-degree level prepared nurses can very much function and practice on their own, once passing the state board licensing examination. However differences in patient care and nursing approach are evident between associate-degree level and baccalaureate-degree level prepared nurses. According to Table 2-1 “Comparison of Nursing Education Programs” in Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice, the purpose of an associate- degree level program is to “prepare competent, technical...
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...Differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate- level versus the baccalaureate-degree level John Edgar May 15, 2011 Differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate- level versus the baccalaureate-degree level As a registered nurse the individual has an opportunity to work with other healthcare professionals in an effort to provide quality of care to the clients they are responsible for in a variety of different settings. In an effort to provide quality of care it is important to verify that the care is delivered safely and in a manner that promotes the patients over all well-being. The question that is being asked by many in the healthcare community is whether or not the patient is best served by having the care delivered by an associate-degree nurse (ADN) or a nurse that has a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). This paper will review a few of the differences in competencies for nurses that are prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level in nursing. There are three levels of education that will qualify an individual to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). The associate’s degree in nursing consists of two years of concentrated study focused on clinical skills in the community college setting. The diploma nursing program offers three years of nursing education focused on learning nursing skills in a hospital-based setting. In diploma nursing programs, students typically receive the most clock...
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...Competency Differences: Associate-degree level versus Baccalaureate-degree level nurses Karolyn M. Walker Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V Professional Dynamics June 24th, 2012 Competency Differences: Associate-degree level versus Baccalaureate-degree level nurses The future of nursing education changed forever in the 1950’s when Mildred Montag successfully created the two-year associate degree in nursing. Men and women who were unable to attend nursing school due to families, work situations, or for financial reason were able to attend these programs and aid in reducing the nursing shortage that was rapidly growing in our country. Montag proposed education for a new kind of nurse, a nursing technician (Schank & Stollenwerk 1988). This nurse would function as nursing technicians and be able to: assist in the planning of nursing care for patient, give general nursing care with supervision, and to assist in the evaluation of nursing care given (Schank & Stollenwerk 1988). Since this time, there has been much debate over the competencies of the “technical” nurse educated at the associate degree level and the baccalaureate level educated nurse. Many studies have been conducted to determine if there should be differentiated roles in nurses with different levels of education. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “the fact that new nurses pass the licensing exam at the same rate does not mean that all entry-level nurses are equally prepared...
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...Educational Preparation: Associate- degree nurses versus baccalaureate- degree nurses Registered nurses make up one of the biggest professions in healthcare. There is a wide variety of skill levels amongst RNs, including differences in education. However, one thing they have in common is having passed the National Council Licensure Examination. Associate and baccalaureate degree programs each prepare its students for becoming nurses. Although, research has shown there is a variance in competencies between the two degrees, and that hospitals employed with bachelor’s degree nurses have better patient outcomes (Aiken, Clarke, Cheung, Sloane & Silber, 2003). Associate degree nursing education was developed more than sixty years ago at the end of World War II. There was a shortage of nurses, and a project was initiated for the two- year degree. Doctor Mildred Montag, the project director, designed the curriculum to be patient centered instead of disease centered. It consisted of approximately half nursing courses and half general education courses. Fundamental concepts were instilled in the students in the beginning of the program, and by the second year were built on with more complex concepts. Clinical experiences were also different in that it included community facilities, in addition to hospital-based experiences. The two- year program deemed itself successful, and became a stimulus for growth. Even with the associate degree’s success, it has been a controversial subject when...
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...Difference Between Associate- Degree Level Nurses and Bachelor- Degree Nurses There is always a question about which program is better; Is it the associate’s degree in nursing program provided by community colleges or the baccalaureate of science in nursing program provided by colleges and universities? One similarity is for sure that nurses from both programs can take the NCLEX-RN exam. Before I started college I was debating whether I should go to school for an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing, but because I just had a baby and the university is one hour away from our home, I decided to go ahead and enter the registered nursing program in our community college. I know that there is a lot of differences between nurses that are prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate degree level in nursing that is why I set a goal that someday I will go back to school for my Bachelor’s degree. This paper will be explaining the difference in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate degree level versus the baccalaureate degree level in nursing by comparing their education, patient care and opportunities. This paper will also give some examples about a patient care situation in which how nursing care approaches to decision making may differ based upon the educational preparation of a BSN versus ADN. Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate Nurses Differences with Education An associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) program...
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...Historically nursing and nursing education continues to grow and change. The first nursing program started with Florence Nightingale who laid the foundation of professional nursing with the diploma program. Today, there are three different pathways to become a registered nurse. The three pathways include; the baccalaureate degree program, associate degree program, and the diploma program. All of these pathways allow the student to take the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse. What is the difference between the programs and student outcomes if all the students end up with the same licensure? The difference is the technical nurse versus the professional nurse. This paper will focus on the difference in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level in nursing. "The existence of multiple pathways contributes to a confusing landscape of nursing education and creates challenges for aspiring nurses as they try to choose the most appropriate type of program in which to enter the profession" (book reference). The associate and baccalaureate programs are available to anyone who wishes to pursue a career in nursing, but the two programs prepare two different types of nurses. The associate degree level nurse is more focused on task oriented practice and are more technical driven and clinically competent. On the other hand, the baccalaureate degree level nurse is more professional and use evidence based practice and advanced critical...
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...Difference Between Associate Degree Versus Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Abstract In this paper will analyze the difference in competency of education between nurses prepared with an Associate degree or a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing. A comparison in scholastic preparation of both degrees. Will discuss the recent increase of demand of Baccalaureate degree graduates over the Associate degree as a new hire in the medical setting. We will also focus on magnet status hospitals and those trying to achieve magnet status and how they have promoted a change in hiring of this two degrees. The American Nursing Association view of Baccalaureate Degree in comparison to Associate degree. We will also address research that has recently be published that displayed baccalaureate patient outcomes and patient safety in writing and statistical data. Patient care situation will be analyze decision making approach relating Associate degree versus Baccalaureate degree in nursing. First we must address the similarities they both are able to be called and hold the title of Nurse, they both are able to seat to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. They both work in similar settings ambulatory and inpatient medical facilities to name the most prevalent. The main difference in competency and preparation lies in education and training the Associate Degree Nurse in most cases is a two year technical nurse who graduates from a community college or nursing school. The baccalaureate...
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...Competencies: Associate versus Baccalaureate Degree Nurses Rachel Beissel Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V Professional Dynamics November 20, 2011 Comparison of Competencies: Associate versus Baccalaureate Degree Nurses There are currently three different degree programs for Registered Nurses in the United States. The first degree plan is a diploma nursing degree, which is a 3 year program that focuses on nursing tasks in a hospital setting. It is noted that the diploma nursing program provides the most clock hours of clinical instruction (Hood, 2010, pg. 15). The second degree plan is the associate degree in nursing; this degree focuses on a combination of didactic and clinical skills over a 2 year period. The last degree is the baccalaureate degree in nursing which is a higher level of education in nursing; this includes additional courses in nursing research and community health projects. This paper will give an overview of the differences between the competencies of the associate degree plan versus the baccalaureate trained nurse in the patient care setting. Associate Degree in Nursing The associate degree was originally created to help with the nursing shortage after World War II. The first associate degree nursing program was started by Dr. Mildred Montag in 1952 (Potter & Perry, 2009, pg. 3). The associate degree in nursing is an attractive alternative for many people who decide to go to school to become a nurse. In recent years the ability to obtain a degree in a shorter...
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