Running head: COMPETENCY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BSN AND ADN OR

Competency differences between BSN and ADN or diploma degree
Margaret Strelau
Grand Canyon University

Competency differences between BSN and ADN or diploma degree
As of today, nursing has a long history of education and it has come a long way. In the beginning nursing was “regarded as the work of those in the lowest classes of society or in religious life” (Grand Canyon University: Canyon Connect, 2009-2011), and “there was little organization associated with nursing and certainly no social standing” (Grand Canyon University: Canyon Connect, 2009-2011). Florence Nightingale is recognized in nursing history, as one of her many achievements is the “organization and advancement of nursing education” (Grand Canyon University: Canyon Connect, 2009-2011) These days nursing education has moved from on the job training in a hospital to colleges and universities. As it entered the colleges and universities it required a baccalaureate (BSN) degree, which took 4 years to complete. “The severity of the nursing shortage in the postwar years encouraged faculty to develop new entry-level nursing programs.” (Cresaia & Friberg, 2010, p.15) A nurse by the name of Mildred Montag “revolutionized nursing education by the creation of the 2 year associate degree in nursing” (Grand Canyon University: Canyon Connect, 2009-2011). This allowed for a wide variety of people to receive a nursing degree, which would otherwise be unable to complete a 4-year BSN program. With this more nurses became available to fill in the missing blanks in the hospitals and various facilities that needed nurses urgently. The 2-year associate-degree level nurses (ADN) or diploma nurses primarily have a role at the bedside, as those programs are more skill and task oriented. The BSN education provides more theory, research and knowledge, and