The Difference in competencies between Nurses prepared at the Associate Degree level versus the Baccalaureate Degree level.
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-0502
6/26/2016

Introduction
Studies have shown that the competency of care that can be achieved by an associates degree RN and a bachelors degree RN are varied. As explained by the AACN associates degrees are achieved by sitting down and taking the NCLEX-RN. This standardized test that is usually passed at the same rate by all that complete the program just can’t demonstrate the complexity of the competency that is needed for all levels of care in the field of nursing. It states that the bachelor’s degree helps to test for a broader spectrum of education and skills and calls for a more rounded nurse that is able to look at the patient’s cultural background and spiritual health. It also helps the nurse move from the bedside to a more managerial position within the nursing field.
Associates degree in nursing
An associates degree in nursing is a two year degree that was created in 1943 by Mildred Montag, who was named the directory of the School of nursing. The program was started due to the large demand for nurses during World War II. The program was created to decrease the period of time it took to become educated while also providing a sound well-rounded education that paved the way for the fix to the nursing shortage of the time. This degree is usually earned at a local two year institution that consists of intense research and studying and some hands on clinical experience. It’s two years of packed data. It is a program still continued today and even though it is the first step to many paths in Nursing it is still very highly regarded. Some nurses stop at this step and others continue on to the next step, which is the Bachelors in Nursing. Although, it’s projected that most hospitals will start looking to only hire the BSN nurse associate nurses are still practicing in all hospitals.
Bachelors in Nursing
A bachelors degree is usually a 4 year degree earned at an accredited institution. Earning this degree allows the nurse to take on more of a leadership role. BSN nurses are more educated and have completed a lot more research than the associates nurse. Most hospital settings are trying to change and have a bigger ratio of BSN employees instead of your nurses that only hold associate degrees.
Competencies of the Associate degree Nurse
This is a two year program deigned to put as much education as possible in a short period of time. The amount of information and skills that have to be learned by someone before they are allowed to sit for their NCLEX and practice as a RN Is so much that the associates nurse really doesn’t have time to complete the proper research needed to take care of the patients as a whole. Anyone that has gone to nursing school knows how much we have to know. Simple things like needle sizes, types of fluids, to critical care information and data. Two years to pack that much data is very challenging. It just doesn’t leave the rounded nurse the bachelors degree leaves.
Competencies of the Bachelors degree Nurse
The baccalaureate degree is a 4 year degree that requires more research and digs deeper in leadership, management and humanities. It also looks deeper into the cultural and spiritual aspect of nursing care. The baccalaureate degree nurse receives more education that goes a lot deeper than the associates. It allows time for more research to be completed. It is also more focused on the nurse taking on a leadership role. If you want to move up and take these roles you have to be willing to continue your education. The extra education just calls for a more competent nurse.
Patient care Situation based on decision making of educational preparation of Nursing:
Although I have yet to receive a bachelors degree to compare my own personal experience on how a more advanced degree will help me in a patient care setting, from what I have learned upon researching the difference of a Associates and a bachelors is the bachelor graduate is more rounded and culturally sound care taker. Where an associate nurse is more about facts and data the bachelors nurse is able to apply more in depth thought processes to the situation. They are able to think about the whole picture. They have done a lot more research about disease processes and usually had a lot more hands on clinically. They learn to think about the patents whole self. Not just worrying about the lab values on the computer screen or the BP on the monitor, they also think of the patient’s culture. They are usually better equipped to deal with families and advocate for the patient. Moves the nurse from that data collector and med pusher to an overall caregiver. One instance where I think this would have helped me with patient care was when I was with a lady just told she had about two weeks left. She was young and otherwise healthy besides a tumor in her brain pushing on the area that controls her body temperature. She came in thinking that she was getting sick and left with an unimaginable fact that her life was days from being over. I remember sitting there next to her feeling almost helpless. I could not think of what to say. I had all these facts running through my head. I almost felt the need to start giving her some book knowledge on the condition and how It progresses. I was not capable of treating her like a patient in the aspect of her feelings and overall well-being. I only knew how to collect her temperature and treat it accordingly. I am going back for more training to become the rounded nurse I keep mentioning. The one that can collect and treat the data but also the one that can look at every aspect of their patient’s life.
References

Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2016, from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-workforce

The Nurse Advocate in End-of-Life Care. (2011, December). Retrieved June 26, 2016, from http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/doi/abs/10.1043/1524-5012-11.4.325

The Nurse Advocate in End-of-Life Care. (2011, December). Retrieved June 26, 2016, from http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/doi/abs/10.1043/1524-5012-11.4.325