...Differences in Competencies Between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-Degree Level Versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Level Patricia A. Wrecke Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V December 10, 2014 If you were a patient, do you think you would be able to tell the difference if you had a baccalaureate degree nurse vs. an associate degree nurse? Both the ADN and the BSN have the specifications needed that you get from accredited colleges to take the NCLEX. Once they pass they have licensure to practice as an RN and are capable of going into and being successful in any type of patient care setting. Let us compare the associate and bachelor degree and see if there are any differences or similarities. Some studies show that the BSN prepared nurse can have better patient outcomes. We will look at an example of a clinical situation to show if there is a difference in the care of the patient between an association degree RN and a baccalaureate degree RN. Mildred Montag was a nurse following World War ll. She saw a need to make more nurses in a shorter amount of time so she shortened the four year BSN and made a two year degree program to make technical nurses. (Grand Canyon University, 2014, Mildred Montag slide). These programs did well because they didn’t cost as much and they took less time. In the ITT Tech (2014) Nursing Associate’s Degree Program, things that are addressed in their education are “nursing values...
Words: 1227 - Pages: 5
...Baccalaureate Degree Nurses vs. Associate Degree Nurses Pamela Jones Grand Canyon University NRS 430V March 2, 2014 Due March 2, 2014 Since the beginning of the recognized nursing field, education and responsibilities of the nurse have been evolving. Two types of education are the Baccalaureate of Sciences (BSN) and the Associate Degree (AD). Both levels sit for the same NCLEX licensing exam, but many believe the BSN nurse is better prepared to meet the needs of patients. The BSN program is a four-year, knowledge, research and theory based degree. The AD is a shorter program, which focuses on clinical skills but lacks the evidence based practice (EBP) teaching the BSN program offers. Dr. Patricia Benner at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released a study titled Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation. The study found many of today’s nurses are “under-educated” to carry out the demands placed on them (Benner), and recommends that all nurses be prepared at the BSN level. According to the AACN, BSN prepared nurses have a more rounded education with focuses on social and physical sciences, EBP, community nursing and management teaching (AACN: Fact Sheet). They recognized the AD is less expensive and less time consuming, but still think the BSN is better prepared. BSN students are typically receiving more clinical training hours than the associate degree student (Nursing’s Future). Because of more clinical time, the BSN student...
Words: 905 - Pages: 4
...Associate Nursing Degree vs. Diploma vs. Baccalaureate Which is the Future Lena Slater-Everhart Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS-430V Professor Rhonda Johnston October 07, 2013 Associate Nursing Degree vs. Diploma vs. Baccalaureate The debate of different levels of education has gone on for years. The existence of three entry level educational programs—diploma, associate, and baccalaureate degree, all leading to registered nurse licensure and beginning positions—has led to confusion among the public and the profession as to the exact requirements for a credential as a professional nurse.( Creasia, & Friberg (2011).)The historical origins of nursing developed into the diploma programs based at hospitals. Yes, I believe is a difference in the educational experience between the Associate Nursing Degree, diploma and the Baccalaureate prepared nurse. Each level of nursing education has had a part of the development of what nursing is today. The nursing shortage has also contributed to the different education levels in the attempt to provide staff in the nursing field Creasia) The associate degree nursing program consists of two years of schooling and clinical experience. The programs are connected to community colleges, technical schools, and some Universities. The programs consist of teaching nursing information, the sciences, and general education to support then nursing curriculum. The programs touch on evidence –based making, but do not emphasize...
Words: 939 - Pages: 4
...base in their areas of profession. There are two common levels of nursing education with their competencies written to guide them to meet approved criteria established by the Board of Nursing. These competencies also ensure the programs prepare graduates who are able to provide safe and complete care to the patients’ and community as a whole. Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) is a two year program which is normally obtained from a community, junior or technical school. The focus is on biology and social sciences and these graduates possess a core of nursing knowledge common to all nursing education routes. The Bachelorette degree (BSN) is offered at colleges and universities for a total of four years. It provides a much broader perspective in the areas of study, focusing more on liberal arts, sciences and nursing theories. (Hill, 2009). Nurses at this level are able to obtain higher positions such as managers and directors. Although there are many differences between ADN and BSN in regards to their education levels, there are also many individual components that differentiate the two. The primary role of nurses of the Associate degree level is to provide direct nursing and coordinate care for a limited number of patients’ in various health care settings; as well as...
Words: 832 - Pages: 4
...Educational Preparation of Registered Nurses: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) vs. Baccalaureate Prepared Nurses (BSN) Donna Rodriguez Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS 430V Jayme Goodner September 28, 2013 Educational Preparation of Registered Nurses: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) vs. Baccalaureate Prepared Nurses (BSN) The purpose of this paper is to discuss the educational preparation of the Associate Degree nurse (ADN) versus the Baccalaureate prepared Nurse (BSN). This will be accomplished by first exploring the differences in competencies between nurses based on degree level and with the use of a patient care example to describe the difference in the nursing approach based on formal educational preparation. Currently there are two paths to obtaining a registered nursing certification the ADN versus the BSN. The reasons for the development of the ADN nursing programs were simple. It was a matter of supply and demand, and a necessary solution to a problem. In the year of 1951, after the war a huge nursing shortage existed. It was at that time that a nurse educator named Mildred Montag made a proposition to prepare nurse technicians in 2-year associate degree community colleges. A 5-year study of ADN graduates noted preparation was successful, as the nurses passed their exams for licensure and demonstrated the ability to practice nursing with competence (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). The typical ADN degree is comprised of an average of 70 credit hours;...
Words: 1025 - Pages: 5
...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...
Words: 1107 - Pages: 5
...Running head: ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSE VS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Associate Degree Nurse vs Bachelor of Science Nurse Associate Degree Nurse vs Bachelor of Science Nurse The nursing profession is unlike other health care professions. It has multiple education levels of entry into the nursing field. Many states have recently started to propose legislation to make registered nurses obtain their bachelor of science in nursing within ten years of becoming licensed registered nurses. This proposed legislation is aware of the associate degree nurses level of education and offers solutions for continued pursuit of furthering their education to the bachelor of science nurse. It is believed with the combination of the associate degree nurse furthering her education to a baccalaureate education, nursing will become a stronger profession and thus improve patient care outcomes and quality of care.(Lane, 2010) North Dakota became the first state to require the bachelor of science be obtained within the first tens years of obtaining the registered license. For many years the nursing leaders have discussed the idea of advancing the nurses education to the bachelor of science degree. North Dakota, New York and New Jersey were the first states to propose legislation for this to occur. North Dakota overturned their legislation and New York and New Jersey did not pass this legislation. According to the ANA many states have passed legislation to mandate required continuing...
Words: 641 - Pages: 3
...ASSOCIATE VS. BACCALAUREATE NURSES 1 Title: The Difference Between Competencies between an Associate's Level and a Baccalaureate Level Nurse- A Patient care Scenario Name: Susan M. Kreienbrink Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V July 26th, 2014 ASSOCIATE VS. BACCALAUREATE NURSES 2 It’s interesting how the educational requirements for nurses have changed over the years. Just over a 150 years ago you didn’t even need a formal education to be a nurse, in fact, there was none to be had. Now professional nursing organizations are pushing for 80% of nurses to have a bachelor's degree by 2020 (Chard, 2013). This paper will discuss the difference in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate’s degree level versus the baccalaureate degree level. Using a clinical case scenario, it will also describe how nursing care and the approach to decision making may differ based on the educational preparedness of the nurse. Associate Degree Nursing An associates degree in nursing can be acquired in two years with about a years worth of prerequisites. As associate’s degree in nursing (ASN) prepares nurses to deliver direct patient care within the scope of their practise. It is a relatively quick way to become a nurse and was founded by Mildred Montage in 1956, due to the severity of nursing shortage in the post war years. This program was offered to reduce the nursing shortage and the success of the program was measured in terms of the satisfactory level of clinical nursing...
Words: 1648 - Pages: 7
...Nurse Preparedness: ADN vs BSN Grand Canyon University June 7, 2015 Nurse Preparedness: ADN vs BSN In the early 1980’s though 2000 a shortage within the nursing field came to peak within the healthcare industry. For over 50 years the associate’s degree had significantly addressed the needs of nurses and nursing staff. However, with the rapid technological advancement of medical diagnosis and treatment, the competencies between nurses with an associate’s degree and a baccalaureate degree became the focus of the healthcare industry. With a demand for higher educational hospitals, a link between patient care and the education levels of nursing staff; the question was, are the competency levels adequate for the nurse with an associate’s degree? Though in writings, there have been no real major differences that are noted between the cognitive abilities of nursing students within baccalaureate degree programs and associate degree programs. Baccalaureate nurses are generally perceived as being better prepared for a wide range of nursing competencies and are seen as performing in the professional role for which they have been prepared during their education. Associate degree nurses are seen as performing well in the technical role for which they have been prepared in their education. In general, nurses were seen as performing in the roles for which they had been educationally prepared (Davis-Martin, 1990). I read an article in the Journal of Advanced...
Words: 762 - Pages: 4
...patients. The Nurses holding BSN degree have shown that they have decreased the risk of patient’s death. This topic will focus on the differences between ADN and BSN nursing care, based on the example of treatment a patient receives from both types of nurses. Associate Nurse An Associate degree nurse is a nurse with 2 to 3 years nursing training. Graduate of this program is qualified to take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. An Associate degree nurse has many roles such as teaching the patient about their conditions, assessing the patient’s condition, care plans, doctors’ orders, treatments, and medication. Some of the responsibilities that ADN nurses have are supervisory of the LVN, LPN, CNA, and other healthcare workers. ADN nurses thrive with more independence along with more complex situations with lots of ill patients. Baccalaureate Nurse A Baccalaureate Nurse is represented as a nurse with 4 to 5 years nursing training. Graduates of this programs are qualified to take the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. BSN nursing includes the role of assessing, communicating, teaching, leading, critical thinking, providing care, and strong communications between nurses, doctors to go along with great problem solving. BSN nursing practice including health promotion, early detection of health deviations, disease prevention, and adequate treatment of the patients and response to acute and chronic illness. BSN VS. ADN NURSES Nurse’s researchers...
Words: 949 - Pages: 4
...Educational Preparation of a Nurse: BSN vs ADN NRS-430V-O102 August 4, 2013 Educational Preparation of a Nurse: BSN vs ADN Nurses have several different options regarding their education. Since the 1950’s collages have offered entry level baccalaureate nursing programs to entry level students (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). Nursing shortages began to rise postwar years and this lead into the development of 2-year associate degree nursing programs. Mildred Montag proposed these programs and after a 5 year study of graduates from an associates program, the program was deemed successful. Funding for the program was secured in 1964 and community colleges began opening AD programs at an astonishing rate (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). The associate degree programs made it more accessible for men, women with families, older graduates, and other atypical students to attend the program. Nursing shortages were minimized in 1970s and 1980s due to the addition of the AND programs, and today associate nursing programs are the major entry point into nursing (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). In 2008 the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) conducted a survey that revealed nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession with more than 3 million registered nurses nationwide. 50% of the RNs in the workforce hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree while 36.1% hold an associate degree (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2012). On paper a BSN nurse and an ADN nurse...
Words: 915 - Pages: 4
...Educational Preparation of the Baccalaureate degree Nurse Shelly Crawford Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS-430V Leigh Ann Tovar March 16, 2013 Educational Preparation of the Baccalaureate degree Nurse To truly understand the differences between the Baccalaureate of Science in nursing degree verses the Diploma nurse and the Associates Degree in Nursing, you must first be able to understand the definition, description and the competencies of each Degree. 1. Definition of the Diploma Nurse A Diploma Nurse is someone who completes a nursing curriculum associated with a hospital or medical facility than traditional colleges. The Diploma Nurse program is a three-year program. ("Diploma vs. BSN," 2010, p. 1) 2. Definition of the Associates Degree in Nursing An Associate’s Degree in Nursing is a two to three year degree. Requirements are a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. Often these nursing degrees are conferred at community colleges. There are many 4 year colleges and universities that offer the associates degree programs as well. (Seehorn, “n.d.”, p. 1) 3. Definition of the Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) A Baccalaureate Degree in nursing is described as a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing that combines theory and clinical nursing courses and is granted by an accredited school. This degree is a 4 year degree which requires a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. ("Bachelor Degree," “n.d.”, Para. 1) There are...
Words: 1250 - Pages: 5
...Running Head: DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN ADN VS BSN 1 Educational Preparation: Differences in Competencies Between Nurses Prepared at Associates-Degree Level Versus the 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...
Words: 1646 - Pages: 7
...Associate Degree Nursing An associate degree nurse can be defined as a nurse with two to three years nursing training, usually at a community college. A graduate of this program is qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), to become a registered nurse (RN). Differences in Competences of ADN VS. BSN Nurse There have been studies that showed that investments in highly qualified and educated nurses produce better patient outcomes. A study of Magnet hospitals in Pennsylvania with higher proportion of baccalaureate prepared nurses revealed that patients in magnet hospitals had lower rate of inpatient death within 30 days and lower odds of failure-to-rescue compared with patients cared for in non-Magnet hospitals (Mc Hugh et al., 2012).Other studies observed the consequence of nursing practice; skills on cancer patients going through surgery showed that the educational level of a nurse has a vital impact on patient health. The BSN nurses were linked with lower mortality and failure-to-rescue rates confirming the view that if a higher proportion of staff nurses have at least a baccalaureate-level education; this would have a positive effect on a patient outcome, and will also reduce their stay in the hospital. ASSOCIATE NURSE VS. BACCALAUREATE NURSE Patient Case Scenario Using a patient case scenario, a known male hypertensive (high blood pressure) patient on medical floor may be reported by a medical assistant to have an elevated...
Words: 754 - Pages: 4
...Associate Degree Program vs Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Associate Degree Program vs Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing To become a registered nurse, one must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX exam. There are different routes one may take to become a registered nurse. These routes include a diploma, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree program. The diploma program was the core of nurse educating until the 1960’s. The typical diploma program lasts three years. This program focuses on clinical experience and direct patient care. Over the years, the diploma programs have decreased. In 2010, there was only 54 accredited diploma programs. Since diploma programs are not as common as associate degree programs or bachelor’s degree programs, this paper will compare the ADN and BSN programs and explain why having a bachelor degree in nursing is a benefit to not only the nurse, but also the hospital and the patient. Associate vs. Bachelor’s Degree Programs Associate degree programs typically last two years, but the student is required to take other courses to fulfill graduation requirements. According to Creasia & Friberg (2011),”the ADN program prepares the nurse for direct patient care for secondary care settings, such as community hospitals and long term care facilities”. Many people choose an ADN program because community colleges are less expensive than going to a university. Community colleges can also be more accessible...
Words: 1022 - Pages: 5
