...Benefits of a Baccalaureate Education in Nursing Benefits of a Baccalaureate Education in Nursing Nurses that complete nursing school at a baccalaureate degree level will be more prepared and have higher competency levels than nurses graduating from an ADN program. Grand Canyon University follows the guidelines from the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) for the curriculum regarding the nursing education, including the RN-BSN program. (Grand Canyon University College of Nursing Philosophy, 2011) The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) fact sheet (Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce, October 2012) talks about how baccalaureate nurses have more positive outcomes than an associate degree nurse. This refers to not only lower mortality rates but other factors such as medication errors. This shows that a BSN thinks outside of the box and treats the patient as a whole The focus of a patient, while hospitalized, is that they just want to get better. They want to know who brings their medication and who makes their bed. They don’t get to see the educational background of each nurse that cares for them. To them a nurse is a nurse. What the focus of a baccalaureate nurse caring for them is to treat the patient as a whole, not just the person who gives medications. Associate degree programs have been around since 1952. The ADN focus is concerned with the technical aspects of nursing. The focus is meeting the needs of the person through...
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...Educational Preparation: ADN versus BSN Prepared Registered Nurses Grand Canyon University: NRS 430-V Professional Dynamics September 23, 2012 Three different pathways exist to educate students with the knowledge needed to be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. The American Association of Colleges of Nurses states “the NCLEX-RN exam measures the minimum technical competency needed to practice as a registered nurse” (2012). The nursing student may complete his or her education over two to four years. The first, a hospital based program, requires three years to complete. Graduates receive a diploma, not a degree. “Approximately 54 diploma programs remain, in the United States” (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). The second, a community college based program, requires two to three years to complete. Graduates receive either an associate of science in nursing degree (ADN) or an associate of arts in nursing degree (AAN). “In 2009, 980 ADN/AAN programs were in existence, in the United States” (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). The third and final pathway, a traditional college or university based program, requires four years to complete. Graduates receive a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN). “In 2008, 748 BSN programs were in existence, in the United States” (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). ADN/AAN and diploma level education is comparable. The number of diploma programs is small compared to the number of associate and baccalaureate programs; therefore, I will limit...
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...Baccalaureate Prepared Nurses April 7, 2014 Baccalaureate Prepared Nurses “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela The profession of nursing has always been an evolving and demanding job. With each year the responsibilities of nurses grow and the demands for higher education increases. There are several ways to obtain a nursing license in the United States: a diploma program, associates program, and a baccalaureate degree. Even though the associate degree is a popular route to gain access to the NCLEX there has been much research revolving around the preparedness of associate degree nurses verse baccalaureate degree nurses. Both associates in nursing and baccalaureate in nursing give a student the sought after nursing license, however research shows there is a vast difference between the ASN and the BSN. The ASN programs are found primarily at community colleges and the curriculum is about 2 years in length. The ASN suffices all subjects related to the NCLEX and prepares students to pass to obtain their licensure. The BSN program is a four -year program that usually takes place in the 4 year colleges. They too are prepared to take the NCLEX, however they are required to gain knowledge deeper in the subject than the ASN. “The review of literature which was presented tends to support the ideology that baccalaureate degree prepared nurses are more proficient in the use of research, leadership, theoretical...
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...DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NURSES 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...
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...today’s ever changing healthcare arena, the need for more educated nurses is becoming more and more essential. The higher and often more complex health needs of today’s patient population requires nurses to have a wider more advanced knowledge as well as skill set. Nursing is more than just providing bedside care. More often than not, we as nurses are called upon to step into the role of social worker, spiritual counselors, therapist and many other titles that our patients may require of us. Nursing is taking into consideration the person as a whole and that usually means also taking care of whatever social, mental, emotional, and environmental concerns our patients may present with, in addition to their acute illness. In order for a nurse to be adequately prepared to step into all of these “roles” we need well educated nurses. When deciding to get a nursing degree, you have a choice between an associate’s degree and a baccalaureate degree. Immediately out of nursing school there may not be a whole lot of measurable difference in the two degrees. Both degree programs will adequately prepare you to be a bedside nurse. The difference between the two degrees however becomes very evident as your nursing experience grows. This paper discusses the differences between associate prepared nurses and baccalaureate prepared nurses. One of the most identifiable areas of difference between the associates and baccalaureate degree is the emphasis on the development of critical thinking...
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...evolving. Registered Nurses are a vital part of the existence of all communities. Nurses are required not only at inpatient hospital settings, but in schools, offices, community health settings, nursing homes, administration, and the list goes on! Despite both baccalaureate and associate prepared nurses taking the same board exam to practice nursing, educational advancement can contribute to the care of patients in all of these settings and aide in a more optimal outcome. The bachelors- prepared programs educate students on all the same topics as an associate- prepared program does. However BSN programs teach in further depth and promote professional growth. The difference in quality of patient care between the two degrees may not easily be observed to the clientele. However, much research proves that there is a correlation in patient outcome and the level of nursing education. One example of differing in the outcome of patient care is education. Promoting wellness and educating against disease and illness is an integral part of the nursing field. The baccalaureate- degree nurse is further prepared to promote wellness within communities and targeted populations. By individualizing a plan of care with interventions such as screenings, education and immunizations, a nurse can aid in the prevention of increased diseases and conditions (Sept., 2014). In order to education the client or patient population, a nurse must be educated themself. A baccalaureate prepared nurse “uses evidence...
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...1 Differences in Competencies Between Nurses Based on Degree Level Differences in competencies between nurses based on degree level are accurate and supported with detail, while demonstrating deeper understanding by incorporating prior learning. Competency Differences between ADN and BSN Prepared Nurse To work as a registered nurse, all the nurses have to undergo NCLEX-RN state board exam irrespective of the courses they have done. Another fact being that all these programs provide the basic knowledge and skill in effective patient care ADN nurses are more task-oriented employed in a workplace with not so complex patient scenario. They work under the basic nursing protocols. It is one of the preferred career path as it is the less expensive and short path of becoming a Registered nurse. The nurses with Baccalaureate are more skilled with good leadership qualities for effective patient care affecting less mortality. They take care of both the physical and mental well-being of a patient. They are more in to service than in to opportunities. They are with good leadership abilities and skills primarily focused on analyzing and resolving to critical patient care needs. They are efficient theoretically as well as practically enabling them to be part of multidisciplinary teams. Within the undergraduate subdivision, there are two preparatory levels of nursing education: Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN). patient-centered care and compassion...
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...Educational Preparation: A Comparison Between Baccalaureate and Associate Level Nursing Maridel Cruz Grand Canyon University: Professional Dynamics February 13, 2016 Educational Preparation: A Comparison Between Baccalaureate and Associate Level Nursing Achieving a higher level of education in the nation’s nursing population is a topic that the healthcare industry is currently putting a strong focus on. It used to be that having a nursing workforce composed mostly of associate-degree nurses was sufficient enough to care for the country’s patient population. However, in the past few years more hospitals and nursing employers are moving toward hiring nurses who are prepared at the baccalaureate level to keep up with the increasing complexity of care that is essential to positive patient prognosis. The importance of this change is supported by multitudes of studies and research dedicated to identifying the improvements of patient outcomes, cost efficiency of facilities, and the difference in competencies of nurses prepared at the associate-degree level and those of a baccalaureate level. According to the research shown by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Fact Sheet, “lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels” (Rosseter, 2015). For this reason, it is of great importance to hospitals, nurses, and other patient care facilities that employ them to make elevating...
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...ADN and BSN NRS-430v July 14, 2013 Differences in Competencies between ADN and BSN Over the past few decades, many drastic changes occurred in U.S health care delivery. Our current healthcare trends demand nurses to take more active role in the health care decisions in hospital setting, long term care setting and in community healthcare setting. Since “nursing is based upon a body of knowledge that is always changing with new discoveries and innovation” Potter and Perry (2005), nursing profession is compelled to grow from being just a traditional bedside nurse. IOM’s future of nursing report which is released in 2010 calls nurses to be “more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce”. There are two educational routes for becoming a professional registered nurse in U.S. One of the educational routes is be Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and another one is obtaining Bachelors in Nursing (BSN) or Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Although, both degrees enable nurses to get licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse, there are differences among Associate level prepared nurses and Baccalaureate level prepared nurses. In order to meet the requirements and demands of our changing health care system, nurses have to be least Baccalaureate level prepared. First of all, Associate degree program is a two year program that is usually offered by community college or junior college. Upon graduation, ADN student’s earn70 credits. The BSN program is usually four year of study...
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...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 to the individual who is wanting to go into nursing. According to Wilkinson & Van Leuven (2007), “students in baccalaureate programs are...
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...Benefits of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Nikki Rush State University of New York: The College at Brockport Benefits of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Many nurses believe there are benefits to obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN). “In October 2010, the Institute of Medicine released its landmark report on The Future of Nursing, initiated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which called for increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the workforce to 80% by 2020… in response to the demands of evolving healthcare system to meet the changing needs of patients, nurses must achieve higher levels of education” (The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2014). In relation to a Bachelor of Science degree, BSN prepared nurses possess clinical and critical decision making skills, and have desirable expected impact and outcomes in the field. Additionally BSN nurses are more sophisticated in nursing care, develop a mastery of skills and techniques learned in nursing school and have better leadership and management skills. One advantage of BSN training is a sophisticated level of nursing skills. BSN prepared nurses demonstrate sophistication in nursing care by being able to practice across critical care, outpatient, community health, clinics and psychiatric health care settings. This instruction leads to and enhances level of care the nurse can provide. Additionally these nurses learn to make quick life of death decisions, arrange...
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...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 thinking skills. Also, the baccalaureate degree level nurse is prepared to be in a leadership and management role versus the associate degree level nurse who is more geared towards bedside care. “Baccalaureate nursing programs encompass...
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...BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND THE BACCALAUREATE-DEGREE NURSES COURSE: NRS 430V-0104 COMFORT OKORIE FEBRUARY 2014 INTRODUCTION Nursing is centered on the care of people, which includes their families and their communities so as to reach or obtain an expected health and life status. Nurses are different from other health care providers, by the way they care for the patient, the training they obtained and their extend of practices. WAYS TO BECOME A REGISTERED NURSE One can become a registered nurse through three difference ways which includes the following,-three year diploma, Associate degree obtained in three years, and a baccalaureate degree obtain after four year university education, all of this graduates take the same Nclex-RN licensing test. Nurses has different areas of practice, some care for the patient depending solely on the physician’s order they work with, even though some nurses depending on their qualification and training are allowed to practice independently by law. [American Association of Colleges of Nursing 2012] Nurses are involved or take part in developing and managing nursing care plan. They teach and educate patients, families and the communities as a whole in the proper way to improve and maintain their health. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND BACCALAUREATE NURSES As had earlier been said, there are three different ways to become a registered nurse, and all working as patient advocate...
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...Running head: DIFFERENCES OF A BACCALAUREATE AND ASSOCIATE DEGREE Comparison of competencies between Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Prepared Nurses Kim Krapf Grand Canyon University NRS 430v October 11, 2013 The big question every nursing student asks is why a baccalaureate degree? How does this make me more valuable than a nurse receiving an associate’s degree? Does this make me a better nurse and why? These questions are posed all the time and the debate between both degrees continues. This paper will show the differences in both degree’s, point out how it is important to keep up with the competitive edge in healthcare, why it is so driven by education, and how the different levels of degrees impacts patient care. Both baccalaureate prepared RN’s and associate prepared RN’s is that both take the NCLEX exam, which is looking for a minimum safe competency level. The associate degree takes two years and 72 credits to complete. The baccalaureate degree builds on that base and takes four years and 125 credits. The main difference in these two programs is how they are prepared for the scope of practice, and the different levels of education they receive in community health and leadership skills. (Moore, 2009) Students who enter the associates degree in nursing (ADN) program focus on the pathophysiology of the disease process and how it affects the patient. The primary focus is on building competencies surrounding direct patient care. ADN...
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...The Differences Between Baccalaureates Versus Associate Degree Salamatu Bah Chris Bartholemew Grand Canyon University NRS430 December 12, 2015 The Differences Between Baccalaureates Versus Associate Degree The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, believes that education has a significant impact on the knowledge and competencies of the nurse clinician, as it does for all health care providers. Nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees are well-prepared to meet the demands placed on today's nurse. BSN nurses are prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Nurse executives, federal agencies, the military, leading nursing organizations, health care foundations, magnet hospitals, and minority nurse advocacy groups all recognize the unique value that baccalaureate-prepared nurses bring to the practice setting. AACN encourages...
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