...the following: 1. Discuss the differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level. 2. Identify a patient care situation in which you describe how nursing care or approaches to decision-making may differ based upon the educational preparation of the nurse (BSN versus a diploma or ADN degree). Refer to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Fact Sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce as a resource. Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, Within the nursing profession, education is an essential component to the training and preparedness of nurses. This is also true with all healthcare providers as education provides the necessary tools and resources for personnel to complete tasks. The following paper will discuss the differences between an Associate degree in nursing and a Baccalaureate degree in nursing including each degrees’ implications in competencies. Additionally, to further explore these differences, a case scenario will be provided to demonstrate differences in decision making between each level of education. Associates Degree A nurse receiving his or her associate’s degree implies that they have undergone a minimum of two years of training and education. This can be achieved at most colleges including community colleges. Additionally, in order to graduate from an Associate’s degree in nursing, the individual must...
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...Competencies 1 Running Head: COMPETENCIES AMONG NURSING EDUCATION LEVELS Competencies between Associates Degree and Bachelor’s Degree Nurses Mary Salazar Grand Canyon University Competencies 2 According to the Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing Philosophy,(2011) “We believe that ALL people are accepted and loved unconditionally as children of God. Human diversity is cherished. Spirituality is conceived as vertical and horizontal relationships with God and humanity. These relationships give hope and meaning to life now and in the future”. What is the difference between an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN)? An associate’s degree (ADN) in nursing is a two year program which requires the student to fulfill approximately seventy five credits. These credits include liberal arts, science prerequisites, and other requirements in the nursing. At this level students are introduced to the basic fundamentals of nursing. These fundamentals include: assessing patients, how to perform basic nursing skills, administering medications safely, and individualizing patient care...
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...prepared nurses versus Associate prepared nurses Shirley Jones Baccalaureate prepared nurses versus Associate prepared nurses What are the differences between baccalaureates prepared nurses and associates prepared nurses? This has been a topic for discussion for many years. Prior to the modern practice of nursing, the sick were taken care of by the less-than-desirable population such as “sinners, saints or mothers”. (L. Hover, lecture notes, June 2013). Times have changed since the days when prostitutes and women of ill repute or members of religious orders tended to the sick. (L. Hover, lecture notes, June 2013). In today’s nursing, no major differences are noted between the cognitive abilities of students in baccalaureate and associate degree programs (Davis-Martin, 1990). Baccalaureate nurses are generally seen as being better prepared for a wide range of nursing competencies and are seen as performing in the professional role in which they are prepared. Associate degree nurses are seen as performing well in the technical role for which they have been prepared, as well as in some leadership roles for which they were not originally prepared (Davis-Martin, 1990). One difference in competencies between the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) and the Baccalaureate Degree Nurse (BSN) is the time spent in the formal education process. The associate prepared nurse usually obtains their degree from a community college or junior college whereas the BSN nurse attends...
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...Associate’s Degree versus Bachelor’s Degree There are several differences regarding competencies between nurses that have been educationally prepared at the associate degree level versus nurses that have been prepared at the baccalaureate degree level including a difference in learning leadership skills, a difference in teaching how a nurse utilizes critical thinking, and also, determines how autonomous a nurse will be while practicing. While these differences show certain distinctions in each level of education, there are other things that factor in, such as each individual nurses experience in the field and any previous experience in leadership roles. There are many other differences that distinguish each degree level also. Leadership skills are one of the variations in education that determine whether a nurse is studying in an associate’s program or a bachelor’s program. A bachelor’s program prepares a student for “beginning leadership positions in a variety of settings” (Creasia, J., & Friberg, E., 2011). An associate’s degree program may cover the basics of leadership skills, but a bachelor’s program will teach and prepare the student to begin an entry level leadership position as soon as they become a registered nurse. One example of a situation in which a nurse with a bachelor’s degree might differ when in a patient care situation is that, because of the additional leadership training, they may be able to advance to a charge nurse position quicker than a nurse who...
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...Associate versus Bachelor Degree in Nursing Ana Parker Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-O502 July 6, 2016 Education Preparation: Associate versus Bachelor Degree in Nursing Though the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is available to the holders of both an associate’s degree of nursing and a bachelor’s degree of nursing, healthcare is constantly changing and looking for ways to expand and improve. According to NursingLicensure.org, an increasing number of hospitals are now overlooking an associate’s degree in nursing, and instead choosing to hire nurses with a bachelor degree or higher education (“The Future of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program,” n.d.). However, it remains to be seen if an emphasis on higher education will significantly benefit the healthcare system. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the differences in competencies between an associate degree nursing program and a bachelor degree nursing program, then determine which is the preferable degree to require throughout the healthcare systems. Associate versus Bachelor Degree in Nursing: Difference in Competencies Associate degree nursing programs require considerably less knowledge based learning, and includes more clinically structured education. Associate degree nursing programs last approximately two years and consist of half general education courses, as well as half nursing based courses that focus mainly on patient centered care. Commonly, associate degree nursing programs cover...
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...ANALYZING THE DEGREE OF COMPETENCIES Analyzing the Degree of Competencies for Nurses Prepared at an Associate’s Level and a Bachelor’s Level Mario V Grand Canyon University: Professional Dynamics NRS 430V Analyzing the Degree of Competencies for Nurses Prepared at an Associate’s Level and a Bachelor’s Level Nursing care today can be affected by the degree of education a nurse possesses. Licensures for nurses are diploma, associate’s and bachelor’s. Competencies vary depending on the degree obtained. The demand for nurses in healthcare has blossomed over the last twenty years. Unfortunately the amount of nurses with a higher degree of education only amounts to 50% and those with an associate’s 36.1% and 13.9% for diploma nurses. Research has showed registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree and higher have decreased the mortality rate and resulted in fewer adverse reactions in patient (Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. (2009). Nurse Leaders, higher institutions of learning, and employers are raising the awareness for nurses to continue their education in order to create better patient outcomes. Two Year ASN Degree An associate’s of science degree in nursing is a two year program. The duration of the program concentrates on clinical rotation which prepares the nurse for hands...
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...DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN NURSES PREPARED AT THE ASSOCIATE- DEGREE LEVEL VERSUS THE BACCALAUREATE-DEGREE LEVEL Donald Villarreal Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V Professional Dynamic 01/09/2016 DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN NURSES PREPARED AT THE ASSOCIATE- DEGREE LEVEL VERSUS THE BACCALAUREATE-DEGREE LEVEL According to Graves & McMullen (2015), registered nursing ranked number 9 on top 25 jobs for 2015. Nursing has gained great admiration over time and there is a demand for registered nurses in our world today. This profession dates back to the 1800’s and Florence Nightingale the developer of modern nursing, went beyond just administering medications but was more concerned for her patients as a whole. A lot of practices that are in place at the hospitals, clinics, and schools today are due to her insightful research overtime. It is the nurses that have more contact with the patient than the doctors, it is the nurses that are at bedside in the middle of the night, and it is the nurses who comfort the families as well. This line of work requires a person to make good judgment calls, life-threatening decisions, and critical thinking on behalf of the patient. Any person who chooses to become a registered nurse must graduate from an accredited nursing program and obtain either an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). To obtain an associate degree it may take two years while bachelor’s degree takes four years...
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...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...
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...Competency Differences between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree Level (ADN) or Baccalaureate-Degree Level (BSN) level Competency Differences between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree Level (ADN) or Baccalaureate-Degree Level (BSN) level It has always been said that the higher level of education one can obtain, the better. Currently for Registered Nurses there are many programs out there that encourage furthering education and enrolling back in school to obtain a Baccalaureate-Degree in Nursing (BSN). Both nurses, whichever program they are enrolled to, are educated through nursing programs that require them and prepare them to take the same National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). We will be able to see some differences in competency based on educational level and background based on research and evidenced-based practice. Nurses throughout the United States are being encouraged to enroll back into school to achieve a higher level of education. You can see RN-BSN programs; BSN-MSN, LVN-ADN or LVN-BSN program information anywhere from website advertisements, e-mails, commercials, and magazines. There is no doubt that education is important and that based on the job one is looking to fulfill, certain levels of a degree or certification are required. ADN and BSN nurses, although both RNs, do hold certain traits of differences based on their education level. A nurse with an Associate’s Degree is taught more how to treat the patient medically. They most...
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...Educational Preparation Differences in Nursing Susamma George Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V: Professional Dynamics October 28, 2012 Associate-degree Level versus Baccalaureate-degree Level Is there a difference in competency between nurses who have an Associate's degree and those who have a Bachelor's degree? Does the amount of schooling matter? This is a recent controversial issue that has emerged in the nursing profession (Nurse Village). To answer this question, the differences in education between the two must be investigated. Whether there is a difference must be established, and if so those differences must be qualified. Since there are more years of schooling for the baccalaureate, it seems to indicate a difference quantitatively at the least. There is a difference between Associate level and Baccalaureate level nurses, and Baccalaureate nurses are able to provide better patient care as can be demonstrated through their education levels and various studies. Education for Associate and Baccalaureate Nurses To begin, the differences in education must be established. A registered nurse (RN) can have an Associate Degree in Nursing, called an ADN. A registered nurse can also have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, also known as a BSN. To earn an Associate's degree, one must go to a nursing school for two to three years. During their education, they get hands-on experience through the hospitals and clinics associated with their school. Emphasis is...
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...patient safety to registered nurse staffing, but there are few studies that directly compare those outcomes to the level of nursing education. In 2003 the education levels or nurses became more specified during a study in the Journal of American Medicine; prior to that all registered nurses, regardless of associates degree or bachelor’s degree were often placed into the “RN” category and LPN/LVN was the other category specifying nurses with a certificate. (Ridley, 2008) The result of this study was found that hospitals in the Unites States that employed at least ten percent more bachelor degree nurses decreased patient mortality rates by five percent.(Aiken, Clarke, Cheung, & Sliber, 2003). This study began a long controversy which exists today between associates degree nurses (ADN) and bachelors degree nurses (BSN) educated nurses with many ADN nursing programs arguing that their graduates pass the NCLEX at or above the rate of many BSN programs. In 2012 the Nevada State Board of Nursing reported that the associate’s degree school with the largest graduating class had a pass rate of 93.24% of their 74 students, whereas the largest graduating bachelor’s school graduated 96.97% of their 33 students. ("NSBN," 2012) It should be noted that the NCLEX represents the minimum competency necessary to function as a registered nurse, but a minimum competency is not enough for favorable high quality patient outcomes. A higher education level gives nurses more assessment skills, more...
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...430V 10/12/2014 Educational Preparation Competencies One could argue that a nurse with a baccalaureate degree (BSN) holds a higher level of competency than a nurse with an associate’s degree (ADN). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) believes that. Acquiring a bachelor’s degree helps the nurse “strengthen her platform to make better decisions, plans and evaluations of patient outcomes.” (Hood, 2006) Studies show that hospitals with nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level show enhanced knowledge, which lower death rates, have less chance of medication errors and more positive outcomes in their patients. Higher education indicates the nurse is more prepared in critical thinking with a better understanding of psychosocial concerns. Courses offered at the baccalaureate nursing programs that are not offered at the associate’s level are courses specializing in cultural, spiritual, and community health, along with management, delegation and nursing research. The nurse not only relies upon her training but also understands what and why something is happening. Research shows those hospitals that invest in higher educated nurses have proved to have invested their money wisely. A study published by Olga Yakusheva from the University of Michigan, showed patient’s mortality rates dropped by 10.9% with baccalaureate prepared nurses. The study also showed that if hospitals increase their nursing staff of BSN nurses by 80%, the hospitals would save money ultimately...
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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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...Programs Academic focus: While the technical competencies provided by an ADN program can be quite comprehensive, where it often lacks is in providing the theoretical knowledge necessary for graduates to assume complex nursing roles. An RN-BSN program can not only fill that gap, but can also help inculcate critical thinking, analytical ability, and other such advanced skills because of its academic and intellectual focus. Career opportunities: There are a broader array of career opportunities for RNs who have a bachelor's degree as compared to those who have an associate's degree in nursing. If you're not content being a staff nurse for a good part of your career, the only way forward is usually an RN-BSN program. Educational advancement: An RN-BSN program is necessary if you're interested in pursuing a graduate degree. Roles like nurse educator, nurse manager, advanced practice nurse, researcher, etc. require candidates who have completed a master's or a Ph.D. program. Higher pay: According to payscale.com, RNs who have a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree can earn an average of up to $79,009 per year depending on experience, education, and location, whereas those who have an associate's degree in nursing may earn up to $74,487,** depending on experience, education, and location. Associate of Science in Nursing The Associate’s degree in Nursing program was first introduced to overcome the shortage of nurses. The intent of the program was to provide technical...
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...Preparation: Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Bachelor’s Level verses Associate’s Level Jasmin Bell Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V 02/08/2016 Nurses Prepared at the Bachelor’s Level Verses Associate’s Level Even though trends of healthcare have greatly changed over the years, education has been a consistent trend paving a path in nursing. Nurses plays a very critical part in delivering efficient, safe, holistic, and patient-focused care. Nurses are regarded as one of the most trusted professions. Nurses have a great responsibility to their patients to provide them with the upmost care. This includes work in treatment, planning and management. This increasing responsibility of the care provided by the Nurses, calls for better qualified nurses. Continuing education is important in the medical field because it is often changing. Health professional must be up to date on practices and procedures. While the Associates degree prepares nurses on clinical skills, BSN objective’s target leadership, nursing research, and management. This gained knowledge allows for nurses to make better decisions, plan and manage outcomes (AACN, 2014). Nurses are able to better understand complex processes, therefore able to adjust as needed to get the best possible outcome. It is this combination of knowledge and skills used to advance the work of a nurse at the Bachelor’s level. Competencies of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing The two year Associates Degree in Nursing...
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