Difference in Nursing Degrees
Melissa Rintz
Grand Canyon University
NRS 430V
September 1, 2013

Nursing today has many different levels of degrees. Nurses have choices in the types of nursing schools they can attend. Nurses can obtain their degree through diploma programs that are based out of hospitals, through local community colleges, or through universities. Now in healthcare evidence based research supports that patients receive higher level of quality care with fewer adverse outcomes for patients [ (Friese, 2008) ]. A nurse is not just a nurse anymore. This paper will explain the differences in the competencies between nursing degrees including the differences between the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN), and Baccalaureate Degree Nurse (BSN). The differences will be exposed with patient care situations and the different approach based on the level of nursing degree.
Associate Degree Nursing
There are many differences between the ADN nurse and BSN nurse, but only a few similarities. The major correlation between the two degrees is they both sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing examination is exam is taken upon completion of your nursing program (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2012). The ADN nurse attends school for two years and takes significantly fewer credit hours and is generally less expensive [ (Link, 2010) ]. In both ADN and BSN programs the core curriculum is somewhat the same. The ADN nurse focuses more on learning technical clinical skills and learns more hands on approach to deal with patients and their families. The ADN nurse is trained to be a more task oriented nurse [ (Dianne S. Moore, 2009) ]. There are multiple job opportunities for a nurse with an Associates’ degree. The ADN nurse is usually limited to bed side nursing mostly in nursing homes, doctor’s offices and hospitals. Most associate degree nurses hold entry level