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Educational Preparation: Differences in Competencies Between Nurses Based on Degree Level

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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 take the same exam with the board of nursing. Clinical competencies between the ADN and the BSN are the same with mastery of the skills developed over time with practice.
However, a major difference in education is that a BSN degree includes more nursing theory, nursing informatics, and nursing research (“ADN vs. BSN” 2012). This gives greater exposure in technology for computer

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