Cindy Johnson
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430-V
03-26-15
Differences in Associate Degree prepared Nurse and Baccalaureate prepared Nurse Competencies.

The rise in morbidity and mortality rates among hospitalized patients in the United States heightens concerns about professional competency. Nurses and other healthcare professionals are under increased pressure to provide safe, effective patient care. 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. This paper will compare the differences between an Associate degree prepared nurse (ADN) and a Baccalaureate degree prepared nurse (BSN).

Education Differences An ADN or associate degree nurse is as a nurse with two to three years training, usually at a community college or technical school. The curriculum usually consists of fundamentals, the basics of nursing and clinicals. A BSN or baccalaureate prepared nurse is a nurse with four or five years of training usually at a University. With the BSN, a nurse will have to think outside the box, use credible research, theory, leadership skills, all of which will make the nurse a better critical thinker, and in turn her patients will be safer. Both ADN and BSN will be qualified to take the NCLEX exam upon graduation from either community college or a university and become RNs. ADNs get primarily fundamental education in school consisting of formulating care plans and a basic understanding of concepts such as maternal child, psychology and pediatrics. They seem very prepared to do direct patient care right out of school since they have an equal amount of clinical time compared to classroom time. BSN programs focus much more on theory about patient care and leadership and management theories. It would seem that ADNs are