...Differences in Nursing Competencies: ADN vs. BSN Sheri Lancaster August 23, 2014 Differences in Nursing Competencies: ADN vs. BSN There has been much discussion recently about the need to require a minimum of a baccalaureate degree for entry-level nurses. Many hospitals have moved to this ideology and have already began to give a hiring preference to those nurses who hold a baccalaureate degree and many have hired Associate degreed nurses with the requirement that they will obtain their baccalaureate degree within so many years of employment date. This paper will discuss the differences between a nurse holding an associates degree and a baccalaureate degree, as well as, present a patient care situation describing how patient care decisions difference based upon the nurse’s educational level. History of ADN and BSN Programs It was during the post World War II years that Mildred Montage developed an associate degree level of nursing education in response to the shortage of nursing (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). She developed the associate degree-nursing program with the intent that these nurses would work under the supervision of baccalaureate level nurses who were at the time considered professional nurses. The Associate program is a two-year program that focuses on the fundamentals of nursing and teaching bedside clinical skills. The baccalaureate degree program has been in existence since 1909 and was developed as a five-year program (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). It...
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...Running Head: COMPETENCY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADN AND BSN LEVEL OF NURSING Competency difference between ADN and BSN level of Nursing Presented to Professor Mandy Sheriff By Marlene Holmes Grand Canyon University: NRS-430-102 November 4, 2012 Competency difference between ADN and BSN level of Nursing This paper will look at the competencies between the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN), and the Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) as it relates to the educational requirements for both programs. It will also discuss a patient care scenario where both nursing disciplines provide nursing care or the approach in the decision making process based on educational preparation of the nurse. When we speak of where the nursing profession is heading in the future, we must take a look at our past in order to fully understand current practices. Originally, nursing was not seen as a “profession” it was a job for the undesirables (Friberg & Creasia, 2010). The undesirable were men and woman who would help the sick, poor and abandoned individual and nurse the sick back to health. It was not until the 1800’s when Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, helped to change the way things were being done in military hospital as it relates to taking care of the sick. She fought for sanitary changes in the hospitals as well as educational advancement for nursing practices (Friberg & Creasia , 2010). In the 1860’s Nightingale established...
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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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...ADN AND BSN DIFFERENCES 1 ADN AND BSN DIFFERENCES 2 Random Differences between ADN and BSN Nurses Although testing for one’s RN license is universal, the training background of an ADN versus a BSN nurse are very different. This has brought us to the discussion of the differences between an ADN and a BSN level nurse. As the needs of the patient population is changing, the demand for a more educated, skilled, resourceful practitioner is required (Smith, 2009). Personal Experience Example of how an ADN versus BSN nurse would treat a CHF patient. A specific patient case I reviewed, was readmitted to a hospital again within thirty days with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The ADN trained nurse could administer drugs, perform daily weights, ensure that the patient followed a cardiac diet, but was strictly task oriented (The Future of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program, 2013). The BSN trained nurse, would base the care provided using a more integrated system (Why the Push for BSN Nurses?, 2012). The focus of the BSN trained nurse would encompass more teaching, measuring compliance of instructions that were given, and ensure core measures would be met prior to discharge. The follow up care would include determining if the patient had access to meds, home health, understood the need to maintain dietary restrictions, and instruct the patient on keeping a daily weight log to ensure that weight trends would be monitored and recorded. ADN...
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... The difference between an Associate's degree education (ADN) and a Bachelor's degree education (BSN) has been a topic of discussion between nurses for years. Completion of either an ADN program or a BSN program will result in the same outcome, a Registered Nurse Licensure (RN). There are some nurses that would argue that there is no need to obtain a BSN degree unless the nurse is planning to work in a management position. Then, there are some nurses that would argue that in the very near future a BSN degree will be required in order to work in an acute care environment. Choosing one over the other depends on financial factors, the length of time to be spent in an educational program, and long-term career goals (Morrow, 2008). All of the arguments may have their validities, but in this paper this writer will describe the differences in competencies between nurses with an ADN education and a BSN education. There are two primary goals of any nursing program whether it is an ADN program or a BSN program. The first goal is to endow their nursing students with the appropriate tools to provide safe and competent care to patients. The second is to prepare their students to complete and pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX provides computer adaptive testing that measures minimal competence for safe professional nursing practice. Exam content includes health promotion, pharmacotherapeutics, nursing assessment...
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...Running Head: COMPETENCY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADN AND BSN LEVEL OF NURSING Competency difference between ADN and BSN level of Nursing Presented to Professor Mandy Sheriff By Marlene Holmes Grand Canyon University: NRS-430-102 November 4, 2012 Competency difference between ADN and BSN level of Nursing This paper will look at the competencies between the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN), and the Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) as it relates to the educational requirements for both programs. It will also discuss a patient care scenario where both nursing disciplines provide nursing care or the approach in the decision making process based on educational preparation of the nurse. When we speak of where the nursing profession is heading in the future, we must take a look at our past in order to fully understand current practices. Originally, nursing was not seen as a “profession” it was a job for the undesirables (Friberg & Creasia, 2010). The undesirable were men and woman who would help the sick, poor and abandoned individual and nurse the sick back to health. It was not until the 1800’s when Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, helped to change the way things were being done in military hospital as it relates to taking care of the sick. She fought for sanitary changes in the hospitals as well as educational advancement for nursing practices (Friberg & Creasia , 2010). In the 1860’s Nightingale established...
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...ADN AND BSN DIFFERENCES 1 ADN AND BSN DIFFERENCES 2 Random Differences between ADN and BSN Nurses Although testing for one’s RN license is universal, the training background of an ADN versus a BSN nurse are very different. This has brought us to the discussion of the differences between an ADN and a BSN level nurse. As the needs of the patient population is changing, the demand for a more educated, skilled, resourceful practitioner is required (Smith, 2009). Personal Experience Example of how an ADN versus BSN nurse would treat a CHF patient. A specific patient case I reviewed, was readmitted to a hospital again within thirty days with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The ADN trained nurse could administer drugs, perform daily weights, ensure that the patient followed a cardiac diet, but was strictly task oriented (The Future of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program, 2013). The BSN trained nurse, would base the care provided using a more integrated system (Why the Push for BSN Nurses?, 2012). The focus of the BSN trained nurse would encompass more teaching, measuring compliance of instructions that were given, and ensure core measures would be met prior to discharge. The follow up care would include determining if the patient had access to meds, home health, understood the need to maintain dietary restrictions, and instruct the patient on keeping a daily weight log to ensure that weight trends would be monitored and recorded. ADN...
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...Differences in competencies between ADN and BSN nurses Registered nurses comprise the largest sector in the health care field. 2008 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses conducted by the Health Resources And Services Administration (HRSA) says that nursing is one of the nation's biggest health Care Profession and it comprises more than 3 million registered nurses (RNs) in the United States. It is a dynamic profession and learning is important for nurses to update their knowledge with Increased complexity of the healthcare needs of today and into the future. Debate regarding the minimum educational requirement for the nurses has been going over years with still no definite answer. Nurse with RN license may be educated to the level of BSN (Bachelor degree of nursing) or ADN (associate degree in nursing). This paper will focus on the differences in the competencies between BSN AND ADN nurses. ADN ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) is the 2-3 year Associate degree level, which can be obtained at a community college or junior college. The associate degree level of nursing was originated when there was a shortage for nurses during Second World War. Primarily AND nurses were known as technical personnel’s by working under the professional nurses’ supervision and by assisting them. Eventually associate degree level of nursing became more popular and is considered as an attractive path for those who want a shortened, less expensive way to become...
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...Competencies between BSN and ADN, RN Nurses [pic] In the United States only registered nurses (RNs) are allowed to legally offer nursing services. The RNs have to be certified by the “National Council Licensure” after successfully completing the (NCLEX) “National Council Licensure Examination”. RNs are drawn from both successful Bachelors of Nursing Degree students (BSN) and the Associates Degree of Nursing (ADN) students. [pic] Despite, the differences in their respective programs of preparation, the two categories of RNs have to undergo the same mentorship and their entry level income is pretty much similar and close. However, there are notable differences not only in their professional, educational preparation, but also in their competencies. ADN programs are basically short (usually taking two years) in comparison to the BSN programs which take up to four years (Whall & Fitzpatrick, 1989). [pic] The ADN program was developed during the World War II as a means to produce more nurses to meet the rising demand prompted by the war. The ADN scheme was meant to provide concise curriculum on nursing which emphasizes the acquisition of clinical skills that would make the nurse highly task oriented in the clinical set up (Moorhead & Cowen, 2006). Critics now argue that this program can be blamed for low quality delivery. It primarily focuses on hands on skills. [pic] As such the ADN program does not offer the theoretical and scientific background required for the nursing profession,...
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...Running head: THE DIFFERENCE IN COMPETENCIES OF AN ADN AND A BSN 1 The Difference in Competencies of a Nurse with an ADN versus a Nurse with a BSN Stacey M. Kestler Grand Canyon University THE DIFFERENCE IN COMPETENCIES OF AN ADN AND A BSN 2 Abstract According to American Association of Colleges of Nursing fact sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce, there are 2.8 million registered nurses currently active and practicing, of these 55% hold a bachelor’s degree, and by 2020 they estimate that number will increase to 80%. This is important because what will happen to the nurses that currently have an ADN or are about to enter into the ADN program? What is the difference between a nurse with an ADN and a nurse with a BSN, and is one better than the other? Nurses make the decisions to get their ADN or BSN for many different reasons, but there are many journals and articles in publication that statically show that having a BSN is safer for patients. In the October 2014 issue of Medical Care, it published that having a 10% increase in the proportion of bachelor educated nurses decreased mortality rates by 10.9%. In the May 2014 issue of The Lancet, it published that European hospitals with a higher number of BSN nurses showed that patients were more likely to live after facing complications due to surgery. In conclusion Nancy Burgess states in her article ADN versus BSN Nursing Degree…Which will it be?, that...
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...Running head: DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN ADN VERSUS DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN ADN VERSUS BSN DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES BETWEEN BSN VERSUS ADN The purpose of this work is to explore the differences in competencies between Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Registered nurses are only legally allowed to practice on patients and clients, these nurses have to be certified and issued licenses by a licensure council after successfully completing and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). These nurses are either Bachelors of nurses or ADN nursing students. ADN nursing program was first introduced during the World War 11 when there was high demand of clinically skill oriented nurses to meet the rising demand the war prompted. ADN program usually take two years to complete and can be done in city or community colleges in comparison to the BSN program which is done in the university and takes about four years to complete. (Moorhead &Cowen, 2006). ADN program emphasize on the acquisition of clinical skills and does not offer the theoretical and scientific knowledge required for the nursing profession, making the program lack competency of scientific theory and ways of providing health services. BSN program, is very different because it requires four years to complete and it focuses on the whole view of nursing field and it enables the student a wide range of diverse populations...
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...PREPARATION The history of nursing education dates back a century ago. Nursing education has evolved all these years and courses and programs have been adapted to meet the growing demands for nurses. The topic the author is writing on is educational preparation and will further discuss the competencies between nurses prepared at the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of science in Nursing (BSN) levels and identify patient care situation where the approach to decision making or skill differs between the two levels. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish nurses who holds BSN to the ADN. The author’s position here is that there are differences between ADN and BSN graduates in terms of education, training and competencies (Cherry & Jacob, 2010, p. 60-62). The BSN degree is different from the ADN in several ways. The BSN was established before the ADN. In 1909 the University of Minnesota started the first BSN program in nursing in the United States. It was not until the after the second world war that this program gained momentum. Due to a growing shortage of RNs and social, political and educational reforms in society in the 1950s, the ADN emerged as another program in nursing education for community colleges. This program became very popular (Creasia & Friberg, 2011, p. 25-26). The BSN started as 5years program. However, most BSN programs today are now 4 years in length. There are different programs for the BSN. There is the ADN to BSN and the generic, both trying...
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...Running head: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BSN AND ADN PRACTICE 1 The Difference Between BSN and ADN Practice Lauren DiMuro Southern Vermont College What is the difference between BSN practice and ADN practice? This is a question that every nursing student should ask and research as both BSN and ADN nurses can sit for the same NCLEX-RN exam. There are multiple answer to this question, however the short answer is that nurse with a BSN degree has more opportunities to work in a variety of health care settings that offer an extensive array of opportunities for professional growth. (Moore, 2009) BSN student learn skills at a higher level that are required for exceptional practice. (Huston 7) The difference between the ADN nurse and the BSN nurse is not limited to the opportunities allotted but spans out to the education. The BSN nurse completes a curriculum that has a different focus than that of the ADN curriculum. The BSN curriculum emphasizes evidence based practice, leadership, critical thinking, and public/community health. (Moore, 2009) As part of this curriculum you receive crucial training in key areas like communication, leadership, and critical thinking- enhanced knowledge that will become ever more valuable in the complex and changing future of health care delivery. (Simons, 2012) BSN nurses can be and are not limited to...
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...A Difference in Competencies: ADN, Diploma, and the BSN Dirk Davis Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS-430V Anna Auler January 26, 2013 A Difference in Competencies: ADN, Diploma, and the BSN Before Florence Nightingale began changing the profession of nursing, nurses were considered to be on the lower tiers of society and so were considered “caretakers”, there was no formal training and no such rules or regulations as we have in place today. So as sanitation improved, and this was noted as helping the wellbeing of patients, thanks to Florence Nightingale, nursing as a career began to be respected. As a profession, guidelines were then put into place for the training of nurses in our society. In the area of nursing, there is the Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN and diploma programs, or a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing, a BSN. One of the differences in these programs is the number of hours spent in school. The ADN curriculum requirement is that of 72 credits and the BSN curriculum are 125 credits (Journal of Nursing Education Volume 25, No.7, 275-285 2008). The ADN program is completed in two years at a Community or Junior College, the Diploma is generally through a hospital and the BSN is completed at a 4 year University. As the ADN program tends to focus on the direct hands on clinical atmosphere, the BSN program offers managerial and leadership skills which will help carry the BSN nurse further. “The ADN programs attract greater numbers...
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...Running head: ADN vs. BSN ADN vs. BSN ADN vs. BSN When I read the assignment for this paper, I thought the answers were clear cut and easy. As I was researching for the paper, I found that I was becoming extremely defensive in the cases where studies were attempting to prove Associate-Degree Registered Nurses were not as competent as Baccalaureate-Degree Registered Nurses. I felt personally attacked. When I asked myself why I was taking this course to further my education and proceed towards obtaining a Baccalaureate-Degree, the answers became clear and obvious once again. In researching the differences in competencies of nurses prepared at the associate-degree level verses the baccalaureate-degree in the nursing field there was little evidence to show a significant difference in initial practice. Both ADN and BSN nursing graduates are required to pass the same National Licensure Council Examination (NCLEX). BSN and ADN nurses initially practice at a similar level. (Davis-Martin & Skalak, 1992, p. 27). In the both ADN and BSN nursing programs students are prepared with courses in ethics, nursing process, critical thinking, accountability, and basic understanding of cultural diversity among the nursing curriculum. Yet there are some basic preparation differences. BSN prepared nurses are required to take courses in liberal arts and humanities which create a well diverse or well-rounded student. The BSN program also requires courses in community health, and more...
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