Both degrees nurses are qualify to take the same licensing exam, and enroll in the same nursing principles of nursing, but the baccalaureate degree nurse extend upon those principles to obtain a higher level of learning in order to provide a higher standard of nursing care. There are several differences in the competency levels of these two degree programs. Some of the differences that distinguish an ADN nurse from a BSN nurse include but is not limited to the following: curriculum, education and patient care. An ADN program is obtain in a community college and has a reduce tuition rate and a shortened program time of two years.
The program is more condensed. It is also more tasks oriented and focuses more on the clinical skills. It does not have the theory and science behind nursing as a profession. The BSN program is a four year program that is obtained in universities and colleges. In this program there are more researches, theories and knowledge base. It also focuses on the entire field of nursing. The BSN program exposes the nurses to other areas such as human diversity, health promotion, ethical, legal, political and social influences. According to Dr. Christopher and colleagues in Health Services Research (2008).
Nursing education level has significantly associated with patient outcomes. Nurses that are prepared at the baccalaureate level have a lower mortality rate than nurses that are prepared at the ADN level. A nurse workforce in which a higher proportion of staff nurse have at least a baccalaureate level education would result in substantially fewer adverse outcomes for patient. Evidence shows that significantly higher levels of medication errors and not following procedures are done by an associate degree level nurse compare to a baccalaureate degree nurse. (When Care Becomes a Burden 2001).
The Essay on Civil War Nurse Nurses Women Nursing
Civil War Nursing Over 5000 volunteer nurses' north and south served in military hospitals during the Civil War. Nurses were of all sorts and came from all over. Women wanted to be involved in this national struggle in any way they could. They did not want to stay home and play their traditional domestic roles that social convention and minimal career opportunities had confined the majority of ...
Medication error is one of the leading causes of death in the hospital setting. Some patient comes in the hospital know their medications and what the medication looks like. A nurse with an ADN degree is giving a patient his medications. The patient said to the nurse that the medication does not look like the ones he takes at home. An ADN nurse may ignore the patient’s comment and give the patient the medication to the patient anyway. A BSN nurse will use her critical thinking and researching educational background to investigate more on the medications making sure the medications are correct before giving the patient the medications.
In Health Affairs (2009), researchers reported that new nurses prepared in BSN programs are significantly more likely to complete the graduate level education needed to fill nursing positions where job growth is expected to be the greatest. (When Care Becomes a Burden 2001).
According to Nursing Outlook (2003).
Nurses prepared at the BSN level are found to have higher levels of job satisfaction which is the key to nurse retention. Studies have also found that nurses with a BSN level have stronger communication, critical thinking, leadership and problem-solving skills (Journal of Nursing Administration (2001).
Finally, evidence shows that nursing education level is a factor in patient safety and quality of care. (When Care Becomes a Burden2001).
The Essay on Nursing ADN vs BSN
If you would have asked me a year ago if there was a difference in the competency level between a nurse who has their associate degree and a nurse that has their baccalaureate degree I would have said, “No”. That answer would not have been an honest one, but rather an answer born from frustration. When I was in my first year of nursing school, our instructors informed us that all across the nation ...
A more highly educated nursing workforce is critical to meeting the nations nursing needs and delivering safe, effective patient care. (Tri-council for Nursing2010).
On a daily basis, nurses are required to make decisions about specific treatments for their patients. A nurse with a BSN degree may think of a treatment base on their educational background and training, where as a nurse with a AND degree is unable to.
In the hospital, sometimes a nurse is required to make decision about a patient’s diet base on observation. For example, an elderly patient, who is on a regular diet, refuses to eat her dinner. A nurse with a ADN degree might throw the food out, thinking that the patient does not want the food or the patient is not hungry. A nurse with a BSN degree will use their critical thinking to enquire if the patient is feeling sick, having difficulty swallowing, or does the patient have her dentures in her mouth.
Nurses have to make critical decisions every day to ensure patient’s safety and well being. In conclusion, nurses that are trained at a higher educational level such as a BSN level other than a ADN level has a more advanced educational background that enable them to make critical decision making towards patient safety, and to provide a standard of quality patient care A highly educated nursing work force is critical to meeting the nation’s nursing needs and deliver safe, effective patient care.
Without a more educated nursing workforce, the nation’s health will be further at risk. The BSN degree also serves as a bridge to those who desire to continue their education at a graduate level. References: www. aacn. ncheEedu/education/pdf/TricouncilEdStatement. pdf hhtp://content. healthaffairs. org http://www. jama. ama-assn. org Health Services Research in August 2008
