...Differences in Competency Between Associate Degree Prepared Nurses and Baccalaureate Degree Prepared Nurses Grand Canyon University: Professional Dynamics July 2013 Differences in Competency Between Associate Degree Prepared Nurses and Baccalaureate Degree Prepared Nurses Achieving a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN), or an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), makes an individual eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Once either candidate successfully passes he or she is granted a Registered Nurse (RN) license and can gain employment in the workforce. With licensure as a RN come the core values that each nurse accepts while practicing nursing (Creasia J. & Friberg E., 2011). Both degrees hold the RN to the same level of accountability. These programs show varied curriculums, which produce differences in the outcome of the competencies that each RN exhibits. A BSN program is offered by a four-year college or university. The focus is on theory, collaboration, and evidence based practice, while encompassing and embracing the entire nursing picture. Within the BSN program, students discover perspectives about human diversity and promotion of spiritual and healthy wellbeing, as well as digging deeper into the ethical, political, historical, and social influences that have shaped and continue to shape the world of nursing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008). The number of BSN program options...
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...A Comparison of Critical Thinking Skills between Associate, Baccalaureate, and RN-to-BSN Nurses A Comparison of Critical Thinking Skills between Associate, Baccalaureate, and RN-to-BSN Nurses There are many differences in the competencies between associate and baccalaureate level nurses. Associate level nursing programs tend to concentrate on the more technical aspects of nursing which allows students once they graduate to provide appropriate care to patients and families, especially during times of illness. They may practice on a more restricted level, making their nursing skills limited to more direct patient care in nursing homes and hospitals. Baccalaureate nursing programs improve on these skills by teaching more critical thinking to allow a more thorough approach to caring for their patients. RN-to-BSN programs allow ADN nurses that have grown confident in their hands-on skills and want to gain more critical thinking skills the ability to build on their education and "prepare...for a broader scope of practice" (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2014). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) notes multiple research studies linking fewer medication errors, lower mortality rates and more positive patient outcomes to nursing education received at the baccalaureate level (2014). BSN programs also help teach the leadership needed for nursing supervision and prepare their nurses for graduate studies. Critical thinking competency is key...
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...Differences between Nurses Educated at Associate Level vs. Baccalaureate Level Nursing Christy Lilly Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-O501 March 27, 2015 Differences between Nurses Prepared at Associate Level vs. Baccalaureate Level Education can be a factor in determining a person’s success and well-being. Does the difference in RN education play a role in well-being of those they care for? I will explain some educational differences between an Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) and a Baccalaureate of Science Nurse (BSN). Also, I will share a clinical case scenario to demonstrate the differences in approach, experience and skills effect clinical decisions made by a BSN and an ADN nurse. Associate Degree Nursing Education The ADN requires two or three years of college, whether at a community college or junior college. The graduate earns an Associates of Science in Nursing and is qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). The idea of the ADN was founded by Mildred Montag in 1952 due to the nursing shortage post World War II. Montag proposed a two-year program in junior or community colleges. Her intent was the ADN would be more educated than the untrained nurse, otherwise known as a practical nurse. The ADN would qualify to test for RN licensure and enter practice working under the supervision of a BSN nurse. Montag’s proposed framework and model was not executed completely. Instead...
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...The Age Old Debate: ADN vs BSN, a comparison Seth Ronning Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics Kimberly Hammerton September 4, 2013 The Age Old Debate: ADN vs BSN, a comparison In battles of good versus evil through out history, good almost always triumphs in the end. For example the New York Yankees have won a total of twenty seven World Series Championships compared to the Boston Red Sox who have won a meager seven World Series. Another example would be Darth Vader returning from the dark side to vanquish the evil Emperor by means of hurling the villain over a rail to unseen depths and certain death. In the case of Bachelors level nursing compared to Associates level nursing however, there really is no good versus evil to compare. There is no dark versus light there is just a different level of attained educational degree. The question is what does the difference in education level provide in the level of competency of each nurse. The aim of this paper is to discuss what is the definition of competency in nursing and how is it measured, what are the advantages in nursing care for associates and bachelors degree care, and how do the differences in educational level affect overall patient outcomes. What is competency in nursing? The American Nurses Association, or ANA, defines competency by stating, “competency is an expected level of performance that results from an integration of knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment” (ANA 2004). A nurses’ ability...
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...2014 The differences in competencies between the Registered Nurse who is completing the ADN versus the BSN are many. In this country there are two types of Registered Nurses: the Registered Nurse who graduates from an Associate Degree program and the Registered Nurse who graduates from the Baccalaureate Degree program. Both types of RNs take the National Council Licensure Examination also known as the NCLEX-RN. The results of the NCLEX-RN examination determines if the nurse has the technical competency to practice nursing. What the exam does not determine is the difference between graduates who have different levels of education. Although the passing rate for the exam is the same among the two groups of nurses, it is not proof that there are no differences between the two groups. The length of the ADN program is two years, while the BSN program is four years. The ADN is the shorter, faster path to obtaining RN licensure. Both types of Registered Nurses have the same license. Although both types of RNs may go through similar clinical training and have a similar income, there are differences in their educational and professional training as well as in their level of competency. The associate degree program’s emphasis is on clinical skills that are required to work in a hospital or clinic setting. The RN is trained to be task oriented. Education and competency are confined to hands on patient care. The baccalaureate program emphasizes nursing practice which is evidence-based...
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...Educational Preparation Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Level Is a nurse a nurse? Many nurses seem to do the same things at a glance. They may perform procedures similarly but is the thought process equal? Defining an Associate Degree in Nursing nurse (ADN) and a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing nurse (BSN) helps to begin understanding the differences they incur. An Associate’s degree program can be completed in 2 years and the focus is on the technical aspects of nursing, at the community college level (Hood & Leddy, 2006, p.18-19). This nurse is usually more task oriented or technical. The Baccalaureate degree RN is a four-year program at a college or university level. The focus is towards more independent thinking within a community as a whole (Hood & Leddy, 2006, p. 19). This nurse concentrates on evidence-based practices. There has been discussion and debate over the mentioned differences and desires since 1965. More recently, In the October 2012 issue of Medical Care, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that surgical patients in Magnet hospitals had 14% lower odds of inpatient death and 12% lower odds of failure-to-rescue compared with patients cared for in non-Magnet hospitals. The study concluded that better outcomes were attributed in large part to investments in highly qualified and educated nurses, including a higher proportion of baccalaureate prepared nurses. McHugh, MD et al. (2012) Both degrees...
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...Title: Difference in Competency Between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-degree Level Versus the Baccalaureate-degree Level Nursing is a job, a career and profession. With the historical development, nursing shaped its own progress under the influence of education. Well educated nursing workforce is related to care quality and patient safety. Associate degree and baccalaureate degree are different pathways for one who becomes a registered nurse through the education. This paper will discuss the differences in competency between associate degree nurses (ADN) and baccalaureate degree nurses (BSN). A clinical case scenario also gives the example that the difference of nursing care in making decision or approaches based on the various education level, ADN versus BSN. Associated Degree Nursing Mildred Montag (a nurse educator) was the first one who designed the associate degree in nursing (ADN) in 1952 to solve the severity of the nursing shortage. Ever since then, nurse profession had been recognized by diverse population. Therefore, an associate degree nurse can be defined as a nurse who gets fundamental and basics of nursing training in community college in two to three years and eligible to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) after the program. Baccalaureate Degree Nursing The baccalaureate nursing program has been established in the United States for over a century but developed slowly until the Second World War. The program had entered the...
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...Competency Differences between the ASN and BSN RN GCU Professional Dynamics May 25, 2014 There is an ongoing debate whether associate-degree level curricula prepare the nursing student proficiently for a successful entry-level career in nursing. In fact, many studies have been conducted to determine the differentiation of competencies between an Associate of Science degree in Nursing (ASN) and a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree (BSN). Before I discuss about some of the literature findings, I would like to provide one Pennsylvania’s Nursing School ASN objectives which are for the student to gain nursing knowledge, develop clinical skills, and reaffirm care and compassion. Whereas, the BSN program objectives are to enhance nursing knowledge through advancing the student’s critical thinking skills, communication skills, theoretical knowledge, and professional education. (PCHS, 2014) As the reader can see, there is a direct correlation between education received and what the learner can be expected to demonstrate in their nursing career. In this paper, I hope to identify the differences of competencies between both degrees and describe how nursing care approach may differ. The American Association of College in Nursing (AACN) has provided a fact sheet on “The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice”, within in the document, it focuses on studies that report BSN prepared RN’s experience lower mortality rates and better patient outcomes compared...
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...Running Head : DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN BSN VERSES ADN. Educational Preparation Shyni Joseph Grand Canyon University 02/17/2013 Nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. Quality patient care hinges on having a well educated nursing workforce in the interest of improving patient safety and providing enhanced nursing 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. Education enhances both clinical competency and care delivery. The overall outlook of healthcare professions has dramatically changed in the past few decades. In nursing, competencies define the duties and skills required for nursing positions and establish the educational requirements needed to qualify for each nursing title. In its October 2010 report on The Future of Nursing, the institute of Medicine states” an increase in the percentage of nurses with BSN is imperative as the scope of what the public needs from nurses grows, expectations surrounding quality heightens, and the settings where nurses are needed proliferate and become more complex.”In a study released in May 2008 issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr Linda Aiken and her colleagues confirmed the findings from their landmark 2003 study which shows a strong link between RN education level and patient outcomes, The researchers found that every 10% increase...
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...become a registered nurse (RN). In 1952 Mildred Montag created the ADN program due to the rising demand of nurses after the war. This program was offered to increase nurses in the workplace. The programs’ success was determined by satisfactory clinical nursing skills and passing a national exam (Creasia & Friberg, 2010, p.26). A BSN nurse can be defined as a nurse with four years of nurse training. This consists of two years of general studies, followed by a two year nursing program. Upon graduation in order to become a RN students must pass a national exam. According to Creasia and Friberg (2010), the BSN program was founded after World War II. The program was not popular at first and they struggled to find qualified instructors. Now many of the instructors who teach are well respected in the nursing field (Creasia & Friberg, 2010, p.25). The BSN program includes all the courses taught in associate degree programs. However, according to Creasia and Friberg, “liberal education, quality and patient safety, evidence-based practice, information management, health care policy and finance, communication/collaboration, clinical prevention/population health, and professional values” (Creasia & Friberg, 2010, p.25) are taught more in depth. According to Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing: Baccalaureate nursing practice incorporates the roles of assessing, critical thinking, communicating, providing care, teaching, and leading…Nursing practice includes health promotion,...
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...Educational Preparation Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Level Is a nurse a nurse? Many nurses seem to do the same things at a glance. They may perform procedures similarly but is the thought process equal? Defining an Associate Degree in Nursing nurse (ADN) and a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing nurse (BSN) helps to begin understanding the differences they incur. An Associate’s degree program can be completed in 2 years and the focus is on the technical aspects of nursing, at the community college level (Hood & Leddy, 2006, p.18-19). This nurse is usually more task oriented or technical. The Baccalaureate degree RN is a four-year program at a college or university level. The focus is towards more independent thinking within a community as a whole (Hood & Leddy, 2006, p. 19). This nurse concentrates on evidence-based practices. There has been discussion and debate over the mentioned differences and desires since 1965. More recently, In the October 2012 issue of Medical Care, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that surgical patients in Magnet hospitals had 14% lower odds of inpatient death and 12% lower odds of failure-to-rescue compared with patients cared for in non-Magnet hospitals. The study concluded that better outcomes were attributed in large part to investments in highly qualified and educated nurses, including a higher proportion of baccalaureate prepared nurses. McHugh, MD et al. (2012) Both degrees...
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...Competency differences between Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate degree Nurses Antoinette Njombua Grand Canyon University: NRS 430V-0103 September 5, 2015 Competency differences between Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate degree Nurses. To become a practicing nurse, graduates must first acquire the knowledge and educational blue print necessary to participate in and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. There are various educational pathways and schools for nurses to complete these requirements. There are vocational Programs, the Associate degree program, and the Baccalaureate programs. Though all are eligible to take the same NCLEX-RN exam to attain licensure for practice as registered nurses, they all practice at different levels of competencies and scopes. Although the cognitive abilities between the associate degree and the baccalaureate degree nurses are similar, the difference between these two practicing nurses is mostly related to the level of preparedness and their role functioning standards. The achievement of BSN by practicing nurses serves to enhance nursing care particularly on individuals, families and community like the ADN, but also extends their expertise to community health, leadership, research and evidence based practice. Although the differences in the abilities may not be evident in the beginning of their nursing practice, it becomes pronounced as these nurses gain experience in clinical areas. On like the associates level, the “BSN education...
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...Adn vs Bsn: Differences Rachel McAdams Phoenix University September 2, 2010 Adn vs Bsn: Differences may be a Matter of Degree In the late 1850s Florence Nightingale started her own school to train nurses and developed standards by which nurses performed their duties. She may never have envisioned that one day there would be different educational tracks resulting in multiple degrees and disciplines in nursing, each having their own set of criteria for excellence. Associate degree nurse (ADN) and baccalaureate degree nurse (BSN) are the two most common entry level nursing positions. An ADN can be obtained in two or three years whereas the BSN takes four years of education to complete due to additional courses. Differences between the degrees begin with education and mature as the nurse gains experience. Raines and Taglaireni’s (2008) article states ADN and BSN nurses attend the same basic liberal arts and general education courses such as English, literature, history, math, humanities, and arts. Both have basic nursing courses, the same technical skill sets are taught, and nurses must pass the same National Council Licensing Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN©) which measures minimum technical competency for entry-level nursing practice. Colleges will differ in the exact requirements for each degree but the community college ADN program consists of approximately 75 course credits of which 38 are science and liberal arts prerequisites, and 37 credits are in the...
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...Differences Between Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate Degree Nurses Lisa Thayer Grand Canyon University: Professional Dynamics May 12, 2013 Differences Between Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate Degree Nurses Registered nurses who are prepared with a baccalaureate degree are more highly qualified in clinical competency and delivery of care compared with registered nurses who have an associate’s degree. There is very compelling research that shows an association between better patient outcomes and baccalaureate prepared nursing care in the hospital setting. Competencies Clinical competency is the ability to use the knowledge and skills attained to effectively perform as a nurse. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing states that “…education enhances both clinical competency and care delivery” (Rosseter). A higher degree of education should bring greater clinical competency. There are very evident differences between associate-degree nurses (ADN) and baccalaureate-degree nurses (BSN) with regard to schooling. Most associate degree programs require 2 to 3 years of study, while a baccalaureate degree programs requires 4 years of study. Both ADN and BSN nurses must pass the same exam to earn their Registered Nurse license, however, there are major differences in the program curriculum between these two approaches to attaining the RN license. ADN programs focus on learning the technical skills for providing patient care. Baccalaureate...
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...BSN is better than ADN really? Grand Canyon University Grand Canyon University NRS 430V November 3, 2013 Education Preparation Paper With the focus on economical, Political, and technological advances, the healthcare is moving at a rapid pace in today’s world. To meet the consumers educational healthcare needs they are looking for the safest and most effective care they can receive. There are differences in collegiate competencies between nurses prepared at the associate degree (ADN) level versus those with a bachelorette degree (BSN). Scope of practice and state regulations are the same for either nurse. However, how the nurse cares for or approaches decision-making tends differ between the two entities. Allowing nurses to be academically prepared in the workplace and to offer the community professional knowledge needed to care for their families and loved ones with preventive care and improve patient outcomes (Sexton, Hunt, Cox, Teasley, & Carrol, 2008, p. 105) Differences in Competencies Associate Degree programs are offered at community colleges around the country. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) provides and efficient, economical pathway to becoming a registered nurse (Raines & Taglaireni, 2008). The number of ADN programs around the country has steadily increased since being introduced in 1958 with about 1000 programs across the country (Raines & Taglaireni, 2008). The ADN program is shorter and more concise which focuses on the clinical skills and...
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