Differences in Competencies between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree Level versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Level

Differences in Competencies between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree Level versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Level

Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V

Differences in Competencies between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree Level versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Level

Both the Associate degree-level and Baccalaureate degree level of nursing is to be reckoned because they play a major role in the healthcare system. Yet the differences in competencies and education attained in BSN makes it overcome ADN in several ways.

According to American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2015), “Quality patient care hinges on having a well-educated nursing workforce. Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate level” (p. 1).

The growth of the nursing field have focused on implementing nursing expertised with the important nursing skills through the development of well-educated workforce.

The DIFFERENCES IN DEGREE LEVEL

It takes two to three years to complete the associate degree program. The program is normally offered in community colleges or accredited nursing school. The ADN degree focuses on general nursing training and offers students the chance to take the NCLEX exams after satisfactory completion. BSN degree on the other hand takes 4 to 5 years to complete. The first two years focus on general nursing training, whiles the 3 years left focuses on core nursing courses. It is mostly offered in the tertiary institutions and provides the nurse to specialize in number of nursing competencies. It gives the student the chance to attain the experience and professionalism needed in the nursing field. Student who are able to complete the course are also given the chance to take the NCLEX to prove readiness to practice as a registered nurse.

DIFFERENCES IN COMPETENCY

According to AACN (2015), “In march 2005, the American Organization of Nurses Executive (AONE) released a statement calling for all registered nurses to be educated in baccalaureate programs in an effort to adequately prepare clinicians for their challenging and complex roles. AONE’s statement titled Practice and Education Partnership for the Future, represents the view of nursing’s practice leaders and a desire to create a more highly educated nursing workforce in the interest of improving patient safety and providing enhance nursing care” (p. 2).

There are many research information and fact that support that baccalaureate degree level is of a much competency than that of the associate degree level of education and I agree to that. Research has proven that, attaining and employing BSN nurses has helped reduce death rate after major surgeries, reduced hospital stay, reduce cost of care both for the hospital and for the patient. It is of no surprise that lots of employers are employing more BSN nurses and requiring their ADN nurses to acquire their BSN within a certain period of time while on the job. To prove this fact, according to AACN (2015), “ Employers are recognizing that education makes a difference and are moving to hire the best educated-entry level RNs possible. According to AACN’s survey on Employment of New Nurse Graduate and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses released in October 2014, more than 79% of employers are now requiring or expressing a strong preference for nurses with baccalaureate degree” (p. 4).

SITUATIONAL EXPERIENCE

I have come to realized that the ADN nurse is more skillfully inclined than professional and critical thinking inclined. I say this because, from the start of work after graduation, my experience at work in terms of a patient care and nursing skills is comparable to general nursing skills that was taught during my ADN school. I am able to work around patient care that involves skills really fast than my approach to decision making and critical thinking, regardless the fact that I am a new graduate.

After initiating this BSN program, it is obvious that the program broadens one’s knowledge of professionalism and decision making. I am less competent when it comes to initiating patient plan of care which involves decision making. My approach to starting my patients plan of care is quite weak. I was once required to initiate a plan of care for my patient before discharge. The plan was to gather some info from my patient and several skilled facilities then deliver the info to the case manager to make final decision. This will decide whether my patient will end up being admitted to continuous care.

It was a tough task for me. My outcome needed to prove that my patient truly needed an extended care at a skilled facility. At this point not only did I need experience but also decision making ability. I could not do this on my own, so case management nurse had to offer some help. Although it takes experience to perform better on this area, I believe some form of education that specifically focuses on how to approach decision making (critical thinking), and professional accountability definitely makes a change. I am already experiencing an improvement in my way of thinking and approaching ideas both in my BSN education platform and at work after this few days of starting my BSN program.

CONCLUSION

Although both ADN and BSN degree level are of relevance to patient care and the healthcare system as a whole, education enhancement in nursing i.e BSN degree produces better patient outcome by reducing death rate, reducing cost of care, reducing hospital stay, and improving patient safety.

References

American Association of College of Nursing, (2015). Fact Sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. Snapshot of Today’s Nursing Workforce. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Workforce

American Organization of Nurses Executive, (2005). Practice and Education Partnership for the Future. Washington, DC: American Organization of Nurses Executives. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Workforce

American Association of College of Nursing, (2014). Survey on Employment of New Nurse Graduate and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses. www.aacn.nche.edu/learning_initiatives_news/news/2014/employment14

Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Workforce