Educational Preparation of the Nurse
Jennifer L. Pham
Grand Canyon University
Professional Dynamics
NRS-430V
Mandy Sheriff
November 04, 2012
Educational Preparation of the Nurse
The Author has never given much thought in regards to if there is a difference between the baccalaureate (BSN) prepared nurses versus the associate Degree (ADN) prepared nurses. She was firm in her belief that regardless what degree a nurse has, once they take the NCLEX-RN test and pass, they became a Registered Nurse. The nursing scope of practice between the BSN, ADN and Diploma prepared nurse does not discriminate, because all groups are awarded the same license. (Creasia & Friberg. 2011). Early in the author’s career, she was asked if she would ever go back to school for her Bachelor’s degree. She would always answer, “No”. The Author foolishly thought the only reason a nurse needed a higher degree, was that nurse wanted to go into management. The author loves floor nursing so much, she was adamant that she would never step into a management role. Within the last year, she has been given the opportunity to be an instructor, teaching various obstetric classes. In stepping into this new role she realized how much she enjoyed it. She found an error in her thinking. She did not need her Bachelor’s degree for the management role she never wanted. She needs it for the teaching role she enjoys. Her new focus in her career is to continue her education, so she can give back to the profession she loves, and share her knowledge and expertise with the new student nurses coming into the field.
The Bachelor’s degree versus the Associate degree Nursing has come a long way in the last 150 years. It has gone from, the privacy of caring for the sick in their home, to an open hospital setting. Over the years, the education required to be a graduate nurse has improved. The first baccalaureate nursing program was established at the University of Minnesota in 1909. This program is a four year program that prepares the professional nurse for the acute care setting, community-practice and beginning leadership/management roles. (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). According to the Institute of Medicine,
“The baccalaureate nurse provides patient-centered care that identifies, respects and Addresses the patients’ differences, values, preferences and expressed needs, as well as Involving the coordination of continuous care; listening to, communicating with and Educating patients and families regarding health, wellness and disease management and Prevention” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008 p.7-8).
“ The baccalaureate nurse has a more liberal background that incorporates knowledge of human cultures, including spiritual beliefs, and the physical and natural sciences supporting an inclusive approach to practice” (American Association of colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 9). The American Association of Colleges of Nurses also states, “The study of history, fine arts, literature and languages are important building blocks for Developing cultural competence, clinical reasoning, promotes the understanding of self and Others and contributes to safe, quality care, helps to understand health as well as disease Processes and forms the basis for clinical reasoning” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 11). According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the sciences are a critical aspect, and have clinical importance to the profession of nursing, to insure that graduates have the ability to keep pace with the changes driven by research and new technologies (Carnegie Foundations for the Advancement of Teaching, 2008).
The Associate Degree program was brought about because of the severity of the nursing shortage. It was a way to help get the student nurses into the workforce, especially in the 1970’s and 1980’s. A new group of students flocked to the Associate Degree program, which included men, married women with children and older than typical students. The Associate Degree nursing programs are shorter, only two years. It consists of a balance between general education and clinical nursing courses. The program is more technical or task oriented, and prepares the nurse for care in the community hospitals or long term health care facilities. The first Associate Degree program was introduced in 1951 by nurse educator, Mildred Montag. Her intent was that nurses with an associate degree would work under the direction of a registered professional nurse who was prepared at the baccalaureate level. There was a lot of confusion about the role and relationships between the two. By the time the first group of students graduated from the Associate Degree programs, they were proclaimed eligible for the RN licensure examination. (Creasia & Friberg, 2011)
Importance of Mixing Experience with Higher Education The author’s background is with a Diploma Degree. Her background focused on more clinical or technical aspects. She always considered herself an equal in regards to her practice, versus her peers, who had a Bachelor’s Degree. A major part of her job is Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP). When most babies are born, they transition from intrauterine life to extra uterine life with minimal assistance. There is a small percentage that will need assistance to help them start to breath. She is highly competent in the skills and in that rare instance she can successfully care for a compromise newborn. During a code situation, when the stress is always high, she would question whether she was performing the skills in the correct order. It wasn’t until she became an instructor, having to take a more in depth class that she understood the science behind the process. Having the science to back up why she does certain tasks has helped her to respond faster and more confidently in her actions. Before, she worried about if she was doing the process correctly. Now because of her knowledge of the science, she uses her assessment and critical thinking skills and applies them to her practice.
Conclusion
The author always considered her Diploma based background very effective, in preparing her to be a good bedside nurse. As her roles have changed, she has realized that it is important to have the clinical experience, but one must have the higher education to back up the experience. Therefore, nursing education and clinical experience must work together to create a highly skilled workforce that will lead to a more efficient and safer environment for our patients.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2008) the essentials of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. Washington DC: Author.
Carnegie Foundations for the Advancement of Teaching. (2008). Educating Nurses: Teaching and Learning for a Complex Practice of Care: in press.
Creasia, J. L., & Friberg, E. E. (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice (5th Ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
