...Differences in competencies: Baccalaureate of Science versus Associate of Science in Nursing Grand Canyon University: Profession Dynamics Section 0106 September 30, 2012 Baccalaureate of Science versus Associate of Science in Nursing There are three educational pathways to becoming a Registered nurse. These include baccalaureate, associate degree, and diploma programs (Friberg et al, 2011). It has been proven in various studies that nurses with a higher level of education provide better quality patient care versus the associate level nurse (Rosseter, 2012). There are several differences in competencies between a associate and baccalaureate nurse that include mortality rates, leadership skills, critical thinking skills, health care promotion, clinical skills, and case management (Rosseter, 2012). Baccalaureate Program The American Association of Colleges of Nursing believes that a Baccalaureate degree has a significant impact on a nurse’s level of competency and knowledge base (Rosseter, 2012). The Baccalaureate program is a four year degree and the nursing courses are at the upper division level (Friber et al., 2011). Courses include health informatics, healthcare economics, leadership, research, and health policies (ANA, 2012). The components of the classes such as at Grand Canyon University (GCU) are liberal education, patient safety, evidence-based practice, management of information, health care policies, communication and collaboration, and professional...
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...Differences and in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at Associate-Degree versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Level in Nursing The nursing profession has multiple entry levels which are diploma, Associate (ADN) degree and Baccalaureate (BSN) degree (Lane & Kohlenberg, 2010). Historically, The Bachelor of Science in nursing degree was established in 1909, whereas the Associate degree was established in 1958 (Hood & Leddy, 2006). BSN students are required to attend 4 years of college education, mostly given at colleges or universities, and on the other hand ADN students are required to attend 3 years of a community college nursing program (AANC, 2011). These variations in the years of education create differences in competences between BSN and ADN. Some variations include critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, and ethical reasoning. Both, ADN and BSN prepared nurses sit for the same licensure examination (Taylor, 2008). According to Lane & Kohlenberg (2010), “Baccalaureate education provides nurses with critical thinking for complex patients and opportunities for leadership, professional mobility, and advancement, this does not mean associate degree nurses are unimportant” (p. 220). Associate degree nurses demonstrate the critical role in nursing (Lane & Kohlenberg, 2010).They continued by adding that through building onto the fundamentals of Associate degree education, emphasis on research, social and physical sciences, and management of community health;...
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...Differences in Competencies between Nurses Based on Degree Level Name University Introduction Nursing profession has many levels of education from more than forty years like, the diploma nurses, technical nurses, professional nurses, master level degree nurses and doctorate degree nurses. In 1965 the committee on nursing education of the American Nurses Association (ANA) published a position paper which addressed the different levels of education for registered professional nurses. Different Approaches to Nursing Education There are three different approaches to nursing education: I. 3-year diploma program, administered at hospitals. II. 3-year associate degree usually offered at community colleges. III. 4-year baccalaureate degree offered at senior colleges and universities. Baccalaureate nursing programs encompass the entire curriculum in associate degree and diploma programs, and also vide in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing management, nursing research, public and community health, and the humanities. The Baccalaureate nursing programs enhances the student’s professional development, develops the new nurse for a more liberal scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and determine health care delivery. Throughout the last decennium, policymakers and practice leaders have recognized that education makes a difference...
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...Competency Differences Between ADN vs BSN in Nursing Grand Canyon University: Professional Dynamics Competency Differences For ADN vs BSN in Nursing Are all registered nurses created equal and the same? To simply put it, no they are not. A registered nurse may be prepared at the diploma level, associate-degree level, baccalaureate-degree level, master degree level, and some possess a doctoral degree. The focus of this paper will be directed at the differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree (ADN) level and nurses prepared at the baccalaureate-degree (BSN) level. Graduates from either degree must pass an examination as put forth by the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in order to become a licensed registered nurse. The NCLEX exam is the same for both degrees even though their prepared education is different. Three major differences in nursing competencies include education, nursing judgment, and professional identity. The following paragraphs will review and discuss how nursing care or approaches to decision making may differ upon the educational background of a registered nurse. First and foremost, “baccalaureate nursing programs encompass all of the course work taught in associate degree and diploma programs plus a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities” ("Impact of Education," 2014, para. 4). The additional...
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...Differences In Competencies between ADN and BSN NRS-430v July 14, 2013 Differences in Competencies between ADN and BSN Over the past few decades, many drastic changes occurred in U.S health care delivery. Our current healthcare trends demand nurses to take more active role in the health care decisions in hospital setting, long term care setting and in community healthcare setting. Since “nursing is based upon a body of knowledge that is always changing with new discoveries and innovation” Potter and Perry (2005), nursing profession is compelled to grow from being just a traditional bedside nurse. IOM’s future of nursing report which is released in 2010 calls nurses to be “more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce”. There are two educational routes for becoming a professional registered nurse in U.S. One of the educational routes is be Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and another one is obtaining Bachelors in Nursing (BSN) or Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Although, both degrees enable nurses to get licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse, there are differences among Associate level prepared nurses and Baccalaureate level prepared nurses. In order to meet the requirements and demands of our changing health care system, nurses have to be least Baccalaureate level prepared. First of all, Associate degree program is a two year program that is usually offered by community college or junior college. Upon graduation, ADN student’s earn70 credits. The BSN...
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...The Differences Among Us: ADN vs. BSN The Differences Among Us: ADN vs. BSN Having worked with hundreds of registered nurses throughout my ten year career, it is not usually very easy to determine if the nurse next to me graduated with an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. Whether working with a charge nurse, staff nurse or even a case manager, the differences are minor, and only upon further inspection realized. Both types of nurses are qualified and excel at their jobs, but the BSN nurse has the extra training and critical thinking skills needed, not only for their current station in life, but also their future and growth in the field. First I will be discussing why there are so many more ADN nurses in relation to BSN nurses. Secondly, a discussion of why there is a major push towards BSN prepared nurses. Last, a look into the differences I have noticed in my own nursing career between the ADN nurse and the BSN nurse. Not long ago, the primary degree in nursing was a hospital diploma. This was the standard way to becoming a nurse. As recently as the mid-1980’s, half of the country’s registered nurses had started that way. By that time though, community colleges and the associate’s degree of nursing was beginning to take over (Perez-Pena, 2012, para. 4). Although many four year programs existed, this was the quickest and easiest way for a student to obtain a nursing degree. This quicker program appealed especially to the workforce that were going back to school...
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...PREPARATION AHMED CHAM THERESA GAITHER NRS-430V PROFESSIONAL DYNAMICS 06/07/2015 EDUCATIONAL 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...
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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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.... Professional Dynamics: Competency differences between Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate degree Nurses Antoinette Njombua Grand Canyon University: NRS 430V-0103 September 5, 2015 Competency differences between Associate Degree Nurses and Baccalaureate degree Nurses. To become a practicing nurse, graduates must first acquire the knowledge and educational blue print necessary to participate in and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. There are various educational pathways and schools for nurses to complete these requirements. There are vocational Programs, the Associate degree program, and the Baccalaureate programs. Though all are eligible to take the same NCLEX-RN exam to attain licensure for practice as registered nurses, they all practice at different levels of competencies and scopes. Although the cognitive abilities between the associate degree and the baccalaureate degree nurses are similar, the difference between these two practicing nurses is mostly related to the level of preparedness and their role functioning standards. The achievement of BSN by practicing nurses serves to enhance nursing care particularly on individuals, families and community like the ADN, but also extends their expertise to community health, leadership, research and evidence based practice. Although the differences in the abilities may not be evident in the beginning of their nursing practice, it becomes pronounced as these nurses gain experience in clinical areas. On like...
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...To become a registered nurse, you must go through a stringent of nursing educational process. There are two entry educational levels: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN), and the Associate degree of nursing, ADN, ( Lane & Kohlenberg, 2010). Completion of any of these programs allows one to take the licensing exam, National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, NCLEX-RN. The ADN is a two year program established earlier on as a quick fix to address nursing shortage in 1958. Its focus is more on application of the basic nursing skills to achieve patient care. This program is usually in community colleges. BSN is a four year college education whose program is more extensive and expansive of the fundamentals of the ADN program to include “physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing., 2012). Both BSN and ADN educated nurses have to take the NCLEX exam for initial licensure and so, one may wonder why spend more time and money in school to achieve the same result. This paper is therefore going to show the competency differences between the BSN and ADN as applied to nursing practices. It goes without saying that the BSN being a four year program will definitely mean more education, knowledge, skill and, with knowledge and skill comes confidence. BSN will...
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... Page 1 Knowledgeable Nurses: Differences of ADN versus BSN Higher level of Nursing Education results in better patient outcomes. Although working as an ADN graduate along side nurses who have BSN degrees, I can honestly say that as far as judgment, and skills, I cannot see much difference. Not to say that there are not some differences, maybe it is just the individuals who hold those degrees. I can see a difference in leadership, and critical thinking. In my workplace staff members who have BSN degrees seem to have more confidence in themselves, and come up with solutions to apparent problems seemingly quicker. I have the utmost respect for all our staff, but observing the difference is what brought me to wanting to obtain a higher education in nursing. Mildred Montag, revolusionalized-nursing education by the creation of the two-year associate degree in nursing following World War II, there was an acute shortage of nurses (GCU: multimedia 2009-2011). Mildred Montag started a trend that would take the world by surprise, and flourish into hundreds of programs throughout community colleges giving opportunity to people who might not have had the chance to become nurses otherwise. Many seek out the Associates Degree in Nursing for the simple fact that it is a quicker course, financially more affordable, in todays job market, it seems many people are scrambling...
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...Education can make difference in one’s life by providing the respect and well career advancement for their future. People often call uneducated person illiterate; without an education a person waste his whole life. Education is a form of learning, usually transferred from one generation to other. It is provided through teaching, training, or research. One chooses his or her career to earn what they want. Every career is different, and they are different in their competencies. Nursing education is another career people choose to go for; they also have different competencies. Licensed vocational nurse has different competencies than associate degree nursing; and Baccalaureate degree different than associate degree nursing. In this paper, we are going to discuss the differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level in nursing. Competencies Differences The associate program is usually 2-3 years long and it is usually offered at the community colleges. The associate degree nursing students usually learn the knowledge, and skills. These skills are required to care for individuals and families during illness and recovery after medical treatment. ADN nurses practice a more restricted level of nursing care such as skilled nursing and long term care facilities, corrections and clinics. The associate nurse teaching is more focused on direct hands such as hospitals and community care. “The associate degree nursing programs have...
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... The Associate Degree nurse and the Bachelor of Science Degree nurse levels. Although there are many similarities in competencies, there are also a number of differences. The Associates Degree trained nurse (ADN), attends a two year program typically taught at a community college. The main part of the curriculum is preparing for clinical competency, but typically lacks instruction in theory and the science of nursing. The ADN level nurse was developed in response to a shortage of nurses following World War II. Mildred Montag developed the two year ADN program in response to the nursing shortage. Montag's defined the ADN as a technical nurse which included skill and some judgment to function at the intermediate level. Leadership and management were not part of the curriculum. Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) programs are taught at four year colleges and universities. Clinical competency is achieved, as in the ADN program, but also additional areas of study such as: leadership and management, critical thinking and community health care. In a study by Giger and Davidhizar (1990), BSN nurses significantly outscore ADN nurses in the professional category. They are were more concerned with research, teaching and community assessment, whereas the ADN nurse was more concerned with the technical aspects of nursing care (Giger and Davidhizar, 1990). Critical thinking disposition skills of senior programs revealed that BSN students scored significantly higher on critical...
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...April 21, 2016 Chris Bartholomew Educational Preparation As early as the 1950’s, the ongoing debate regarding nursing education in the United States has been whether a minimal entry-level requirement is needed. If graduates from an associates and baccalaureate program are similarly compatible in theoretical knowledge and clinical practice, what then are the differences? Multiple studies have been conducted on the topic of nursing education, and organizations such as the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA) stand firm on the need for higher educational standards for nurses in all practice settings, and emphasize the baccalaureate degree as the minimal entry level for ‘professional’ nursing practice (Giger & Davidhizar, 1990). The following essay will discuss the differences in knowledge base and competencies between the associate-degree and the baccalaureate-degree nurse clinician. Historically there have been three routes of entry into the field of nursing. For the purposes of this paper, we will focus on the associates program traditionally offered at community colleges, and the baccalaureate program taught at the university level. Graduates from both of these programs sit for the same (NCLEX-RN) National Council Licensure Examination (AACN, 2015). Course study in an associate’s degree program usually includes nursing fundamentals and clinical care across the lifespan, but their main educational focus revolves around clinical skills...
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...DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCIES OF ADN AND BSN LEVEL NURSES Laisa Johny Grand Canyon University: NRS- 12/16/11 430V Professional Dynamics 05-Dec-2011(0102) Differences in Competencies of Associate degree and Baccalaureate degree level nursing Education level of nurses makes differences in their nursing practice. Many surveys and researches have done to verify the quality of care providing to the patients by the nurses with associate degree and baccalaureate degree. “Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels”(American association of colleges of nursing, fact sheet, 2011) EDUCATION LEVELS OF NUSING We have the opportunities to choose different levels of nursing education. That includes diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, masters’ degree and nurse practitioner. As we educated more high levels, we are able to provide quality services to our people with our advanced knowledge. ASSOSCIATE DEGREE OF NURSING This education program mainly focus on technical skills than theoretical knowledge and with this student can become a registered nurse by passing the board exam. Many people like this because this allows a person to work early and earn money. BACCALAUREATE DEGREE OF NURSING This a 4 year course in United States, learn theories and technical skills, make students capable to provide quality care to the patients. Many institutions...
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