...Educational Preparation 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...
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...Personal Goals Diana Meldon HCS/301 February 12, 2013 Thomas P. Carras, MSEd Personal Goals Setting goals should not be just for school assignments but should be part of one’s everyday life. Developing goals gives people something to strive toward and allows an individual to keep going forward in life. Without goals, it is very easy to give up when things get rough. According to Bishop, Carter, and Kravitis (2011), “Setting goals involves defining what an individual is aiming for in both long-term and short-term time frames. Long-term goals are broader objective an individual wants to achieve over a long period, perhaps a year or more. Short-term goals are smaller steps that move an individual toward a long-term goal, making it manageable and achievable, piece by piece (p. 98). Smart Goals is a tool that helps to focus and create effective goals. Smart Goals is an acronym that consists of five steps: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time frame (Carter, Bishop, & Kravits, 2011). Examples of using these acronyms for writing this paper are Specific – by receiving a B grade in every nursing class, Measurable – by completing each class for a step closer to receiving a degree, Attainable – by commitment and many hours of study, Relevant – achieving a B grade is not unrealistic with commitment and determination; the goal is to think positive and know that I can achieve anything, and Time frame – every five weeks completing a class The following are the...
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...2 My Professional Goals There are several professional goals that I want to accomplish before my career is over. My first short term goal I want to accomplish is being a staff nurse III, in my unit. A staff nurse III position is considered a nurse who is known as a nurse leader in the unit. A staff nurse III, is the resource person in the unit. They are required to keep staff up to date with new information and participate in quality improvement projects. The next step in my professional goal is to become a clinical instructor. Clinical instructors are professionals that teach nursing students to apply knowledge in clinical settings (Koharchik & Jakub, 2014). A long term goal I want to pursue is becoming an neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP). NNP is an advanced nursing practice that utilizes extended and expanded skills, experience and knowledge in assessment, planning, implementation, diagnosis, and evaluation of the care required for neonates (Freed, Dunham, Martyn, Nantais-Smith, & Moran, 2013 ). I enjoy teaching, and the professional goals that I have chosen will give me the opportunity to teach others in a health care setting. Strengths, Ethics, & Values There were a couple reasons that I decided to return to school. First, I wanted to show my son that education is very important. If he wants to have a career, he needs a college degree. I want to teach him that knowledge is key to success. Second, I have been...
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...base. My personal nursing philosophy is shaped by the early pioneers in nursing to promote health and achieve optimal state of wellness for the patients. An individual value and beliefs system plays an integral role in delivering nursing care. My personal values and beliefs have guided me throughout my nursing profession. During my nursing career, I have carefully examined different pathways to achieve higher education to maximize my potential as a health care provider. This paper will discuss my personal philosophy of nursing including values and beliefs; roles of a baccalaureate prepared nurse including role transition with new opportunities available; two professional short term and long term goals including barriers and challenges; develop a strategic plan to accomplish these goals within five years. In my daily practice as a registered nurse, my focus is directed by my philosophical beliefs to promote wellness for each individual. As a clinician, I respect the values of the early philosophers who have outlined the responsibilities of the nursing profession. Based on the guidelines of the philosophers, a clear understanding of each patient’s physiological and psychological needs must be addressed to facilitate therapeutic treatment. My core fundamental nursing philosophical belief is to practice holistic care and demonstrate kindness to all patients despite race, gender, or socioeconomic strata (Cameron, 2009). Values and beliefs is a window through which human beings view...
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...nurses enhancing their education to meet the expanding technological advances and expansion of the nursing role by pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. These opportunities include nursing research, education, and IOM’s main focus, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). A key point the committee states is that “nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression" ("IOM Nursing Report," 2010). By achieving a higher level of education, this will allow a nurse with a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) to be likely hired in an acute care setting over a nurse with and Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN). I have dealt with this on a personal level and I have been denied an acute care position because I did not meet the BSN qualification. To overcome the rejection, I have enrolled in a BSN program in order to...
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...Benefits of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Nikki Rush State University of New York: The College at Brockport Benefits of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Many nurses believe there are benefits to obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN). “In October 2010, the Institute of Medicine released its landmark report on The Future of Nursing, initiated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which called for increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the workforce to 80% by 2020… in response to the demands of evolving healthcare system to meet the changing needs of patients, nurses must achieve higher levels of education” (The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2014). In relation to a Bachelor of Science degree, BSN prepared nurses possess clinical and critical decision making skills, and have desirable expected impact and outcomes in the field. Additionally BSN nurses are more sophisticated in nursing care, develop a mastery of skills and techniques learned in nursing school and have better leadership and management skills. One advantage of BSN training is a sophisticated level of nursing skills. BSN prepared nurses demonstrate sophistication in nursing care by being able to practice across critical care, outpatient, community health, clinics and psychiatric health care settings. This instruction leads to and enhances level of care the nurse can provide. Additionally these nurses learn to make quick life of death decisions, arrange...
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...October 18, 2014 Nurses are important in maintaining better healthcare for our world today. Obtaining a nursing degree can be reached by Bachelor in nursing (BSN), Associate Degree (ADN), or diploma. The type of degree received depends on how many years of schooling the individual completed. Although both types of nurses provide proficient care, comparing the two degrees bachelor prepared nurses have a higher competence level than associate prepared nurses in today’s society. Associate prepared nurses (ADN) receive their degree after completing two years of higher level education. This degree offers a basic knowledge of nursing care for the lifespan of the patient. The ADN will implement nursing care with integrity, responsibility, caring and high quality. Due to the limited amount education received an ADN nurse may have a lower skill set level than a bachelor prepared nurse. Graduates of ADN programs possess a core of nursing knowledge common to all nursing education routes. (Mahaffey, 2002). Even though they receive the required nursing classes they don’t receive the classes that enhance critical thinking which in turn could lower their competency level. Based on information provided the ADN nurse has an adequate but lower competency level than a BSN nurse. Bachelor prepared nurses (BSN) receive an additional two years of education beyond the ADN. Expect courses in leadership and management, community health or population focused nursing, and evidence...
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...“Survival requires short-term goals that secure long-term goals”. (Latham & Locke, 2014, p. 232). My professional long-term goal is to complete my BSN in the next two years by April 2016 which will enable myself career advancement. I would like to take a management job and teach nursing. By currently being enrolled in BSN courses, I am now eligible to increase my job duties at work which is a short-term goal to obtain in the next month. Another short-term goal is to join a work-based council at my hospital and unit this year. I plan to increase in level in our hospital nursing career ladder which is a short term goal to do within the next year. I cannot get past a level two nurse without being enrolled in classes for my BSN. Completing my BSN is also a long-term personal goal for self-improvement. My short-term personal goal is to complete my first online course with at least a B average or above within the next month. Improving my computer skills and writing skills are other short-term personal goals in the next six months. According to Bateman and Barry (2012) “When people are committed to short-term goals, they focus attention on those goals, exert effort, develop strategies, and persist in pursuit of the long-term goal”. (p. 986). By reaching my short-term goals I will continue to pursue reaching my goal of getting my BSN and I will improve myself personally including the lifestyle for myself and my family. In order for me to reach my goals I need to master the skill...
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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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...system. Advances in nursing practice will aide in changing and making health care more affordable, safe and effective. This paper will discuss how nursing, as a profession, can rise to the occasion through elevation of education, primary care practice, and leadership as outlined in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report: The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. This paper will also discuss how the author will alter personal practice to meet the goals of the IOM report. Education Advancement The Need for Advancement Since its inauguration nursing education has progressed and reformed to meet the needs of the client and the health care delivery system of the time. Issues in health care have influenced the role of education in preparing nurses to deliver safe and effective care and advocate for their patients. Nursing shortages have prompted multiple levels of education for entry level nurses. There are three pathways that have existed for nurses to become an RN. The Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), the associate degree in nursing (ADN), and the diploma in nursing. There is also another undergraduate level of nursing for prospective nurses to pursue, the licensed practical/vocational diploma in nursing (LPN/LVN). The LPN/LVN play a crucial role in long term care and nursing homes. The most popular pathway of...
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...2011). This report has resulted in “The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action,” whose purpose is to put into effect the proposals started by “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” report (Future of Nursing Campaign for Action, n.d.). The goal of most healthcare organizations is to improve nursing practice by hiring more educated nurses, as stated in the IOM’s report. This paper will discuss the impact of the IOM’s report about advancing nurse education and the role of leadership. IOM’s Report Impact on Nursing Education “Nurses should achieve high levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression” (IOM, 2011). The IOM report discusses the effect of having a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing, and its correlation to positive patient experiences. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), published an article in which stated “nurses with Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees correlated with positive patient outcomes and adverse patient events were linked to nurses have and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma.” (AACN 2015). Multiple studies were sited by the IOM report with several different outcomes if BSN nurses had more positive...
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...before physician will and it’s up to the nurse to respond accordingly within the scope of their practice to take care of that patient. That attracted me because years ago I thought of going to medical school after high school but lack of money prevented that, nursing was not introduced to me till later while attending a ACLS class at a local collage in which the instructor was a R.N., she thought I was a person whom would be good at nursing. I then searched and found out what nursing had to offer, which seemed to be along the lines of a M.D. but without the length of schooling and residency. I have been able to find a job in different areas of nursing and now working in a perioperative setting which presently meets my carrier goals. Working in an enviroment that has high technology and being self motivated, working with different disciplines and a 12 hour work days three days a week keeps me attracted. The philosophy of nursing goes beyond culture, religious beliefs, geographic location; it sometimes becomes a part of us and who we are. Though a good percentage of nurses are in this profession for economic reasons a lot of the leadership I have worked with have had high standards and reflected a positive philosophy of nursing practice. The definition of a philosophy is “a statement of a belief that is used as a bases for thinking and acting.”(Chitty & Black, 2007 p319). In this paper three different topics will be discussed are...
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...over the course of life. To choose this profession, one has to determine what his educational goals are as this will help you follow the necessary path required in the completion of this goals of attaining a higher level of education. I remember growing as a child has had in mind to have a career that I will be happy practicing and also enjoy doing every single task involve in the profession. This actually paved way for me because it made see realize the areas am going to be good at and well know the potentials I possess as an individual. This insight helped me to purse nursing career because I have seen myself possess most of the qualities of a nurse as per the definition of nursing. The definition of nursing by ANA is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and population. Differences in Competencies between AND and BSN Nurses The difference in competencies is that BSN prepared nurses possess high level of education in nursing which allows the opportunity to assume a position that involve the use of certain skills. These skills includes decision making skills, critical thinking, planning, implementation, intervention and evaluation in nursing.(Rosster, 2006 P.4). A BSN nurse having spent more years in nursing program has increased knowledge in all areas of studies...
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...society. The general goal of nursing has not changed over time. Compassionate care of sick people to provide comfort and assurance is the conclusion of any given nursing theory. Originally nursing was considered a service, but the constantly changing needs of society resulted in the evolution of the nursing practice into a modern profession. In 1860, the first organized nursing training started at the Nightingale Training School for nurses at St. Thomas Hospital in London. The first BSN program was established in the United States in 1909 at the University of Minnesota. World War II resulted in the demand and supply mismatch of well-trained nurses. Diploma programs gained popularity at this time. They usually consisted of 2 to 3 years of education within a hospital. In 1952, associate degrees in nursing at community and junior colleges replaced them, as hospitals were finding it difficult to fund these programs. All these programs make a student eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam but they differ in their ability to provide quality nursing care, leadership roles and patient education. BSN requires four years of a college level education to prepare nurse generalists (Creasia, 2011). They complete the same education as ADN programs and continue with in-depth exposure of humanities, physical and social sciences. Nursing research, public and community health are included in the core curriculum. The American Nurses Association (ANA) always recommends BSN as a starting education...
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...universities throughout the first half of the 20th century, it was not till 1950s when hospitals finally agreed to this significant change. Nonetheless, the baccalaureate nursing programs (BSN) did not generate enough nurses to eliminate the post-war nursing shortage. Fortunately in 1951, a well-know nurse and educator Mildred Montag suggested and shaped a new associate degree-nursing program (ADN) to overcome the nursing shortage (Creasia, 2011). The two-year ADN program was designed to be only a temporary solution to a pressing problem; however, the ADN program remained and is producing many new nurses every year. The emphasis of my work is to compare the current ADN and BSN program and highlight the main differences between an ADN and BSN nurse. Moreover, I will use a patient scenario to demonstrate how nurses with an ADN and BSN degree are prepared to provide a competent and safe nursing care to their patients. Two Main Pathways of Becoming RN An ADN program takes two years to complete and is usually offered by community colleges. The curriculum for this nursing program includes both classroom time as well as clinical time in healthcare settings. This program prepares nursing students to pass not only the mandatory coursework but also the NCLEX-RN exam in order to be licensed as RN. A BSN program is an undergraduate degree offered by many colleges and universities. This program takes on average four years to complete and trains nursing students...
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