Preview

Competency Differences Between Associate Degree And Baccalaureate Degree Nursing

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1060 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Competency Differences Between Associate Degree And Baccalaureate Degree Nursing
Competency Differences between Associate Degree and Baccalaureate Degree Nursing
Educational Preparation Assignment

The changing standards of training and education of registered nurses has made a huge improvement in patient care and recovery times throughout medical history. Looking back at the very early years of heath care, other than washing their hands and tying their hair back nurses received very little formal training if any at all before delivering care to their patients. Taking into consideration the job description of nineteenth and early twentieth century, nurses were not required to have the expertise and skills of today’s nurses. As the ramifications and diversity of patient’s population and duel diagnosis increase, quite rapidly, it became necessary for
…show more content…
Nursing encompasses several components in its practice, these are taught at both degree levels. As a trained nurse with a baccalaureate degree working in present day practice not only needs to validate bedside skills, also thinks of the patient as a complete package, including patient 's emotional and spiritual health. The basis of any nursing degree is the physical health of the patient. While both degrees teach this the baccalaureate degree goes farther into the philosophy and diversity of a research and evidence based practice.

Specifically the associate degree in nursing is shorter in length and the emphasis of their studies is normally limited to the nurse’s role in providing physical support through task-oriented practice. The associate degree program begin the students in a clinical setting early and spend the mainstream of their preparation with patients is more of a hands on environment. Despite the fact they do take account of cultural and family-centered care, as well as critical thinking proses and pathophysiology in their curriculums, it 's on a limited

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    The pathways to become a registered nurse are three-fold: a three-year diploma program, a three-year associate degree program, and a four-year baccalaureate degree program. All nursing schools teach the students the basic competencies necessary for nursing practice. All graduates are required to take the same NCLEX_RN licensing exam, regardless of the pathway chosen, however it has been argued that with a higher level of education it is probable that a higher level of performance can be achieved. We will compare the associate degree to the bachelors degree nurse in this paper, and discuss a patient care situation demonstrating the possible different approaches to decision making. We will examine how research correlates education to better patient outcomes and improved quality of patient care.…

    • 1079 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Before designating the differences between the baccalaureate degree prepared nurse and associate degree prepared nurses it is important to examine their similarities. Both ADN and BSN nurses take the same licensure exam, the National Council Licensure EXamination, and both receive the same license upon passing the licensure exam. Adding to that both must go through rigorous training prior to providing patient care. The BSN and ADN nurse both assist in determining the health status and needs of clients (Arlington, 2003). Nonetheless though there are similarities there are also many differences. Baccalaureate nurses receive more education. On top of the typical nursing school course work, BSN students must also take courses in theory, community health, research, and management. This additional education has proven to provide baccalaureate prepared nurses with increased critical thinking skills, lower mortality rates, and greater leadership skills. On the other hand, ADN programs “...consist of a balance between general education and clinical nursing courses” (Creasia, 2011). Associate degree nurses enter the workforce prepared for technical and secondary care settings. Given the differences and…

    • 313 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is sometimes difficult to differentiate between the associates degree nurse and the baccalaureate degree nurse. After all both levels of learning require passing the exact same exam in order to practice. However, there are some differences of learning between them. Two important differences are the educational curriculum and the quality of care given to patients.…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    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…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The difference in competencies between nurses prepared at an associate degree level versus a nurse prepared at the baccalaureate degree level has been a debated controversy since the 1960’s and steadily growing in the United States over the past decade. While both levels of degrees will permit a nursing student to take the NCLEX exam, there are differences in how these nurses were prepared to enter in to the field of nursing. Education seems to be more pronounced amongst nurses carrying a baccalaureate degree.…

    • 905 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The scope of practice for RNs requires a workforce to increased complexity of that has the capacity to adapt to change. Baccalaureate education are strong scientific curriculum best fulfills these requirements. BSN nurse should have critical thinking and problem solving skills.…

    • 1151 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    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. The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery. There are distinct differences between the 72 ADN credits and 125 BSN credits required in each of the nursing programs' curriculum. The baccalaureate curriculum has a different focus, emphasizing evidenced-based clinical practice and leadership. Additional courses are offered in the baccalaureate curriculum, such as research, statistics, critical thinking, and public health/community health. In addition, the additional units prepare the baccalaureate nurse to pursue graduate study, leading to an advanced degree in nursing. 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. The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social…

    • 875 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The first step is to define nursing. “Nursing is the knowledge based discipline, which focuses on the wholeness of human being.” (studymode, 2012,02.) The ADN nurse and BSN take a different approach in teaching their students. They both take the same state mandated NCLEX, but have a different time of training. “The Associated Degree takes a shorter path of two years where the BSN takes a longer with 4 years of education to complete the degree.” (studymode, 2012,02.) Now to break this down and let you know the difference of a 2 and 4 year nursing program. The Associate trained nurse is more task oriented, while the BSN is based on theory and research. I having a diploma hospital based program spent 4 or more days in the hospital setting, but my wife has her BSN and she tells me she usually only spent 1 or 1.5 days at the hospital. I see this now also, where I work we see the Associate nurses more than the BSN students. The clinical…

    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    ADN vs BSN

    • 972 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The educational curriculums and quality of patient care are the substantial differences in two categories of nurses: Associate…

    • 972 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The associate degree prepared nurse is more technical, and the baccalaureate degree prepared nurse is more professional (Giger & Davidhizar, 1990, p. 1013). The baccalaureate degree prepared nurse receives education in leadership skills, community health, and in depth critical thinking using nursing theories and conceptual framework. There are many studies indicating increase positive patient outcomes with the increase of baccalaureate nurses. Therefore, by increasing nursing education, the patients receive a higher standard of…

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    BSN educational program last for four years. Baccalaureate curriculums include emphasis on critical thinking, research, leadership, management and community health . BSN nurses have excellent problem solving skills and have independent decision making capacities .The BSN program graduates assume the same responsibilities of the associate degree nurse yet their role is far more expanded. The baccalaureate nurse incorporates the physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional components to address the overall health of the individual. Applying theory of nursing knowledge from evidence bases research…

    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This paper’s the focus will be on the differences in associate degree nursing (ADN and baccalaureate in nursing (BSN) competencies, based on educational preparation. Highly qualified nurses are required by most of the health care system, in the United States (US) Magnet hospitals, have require all nurse managers and nurses leaders to hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing by 2013. (Citation). This writer intents to analyze similarities and differences between ADN and BSN degrees, the ADN is an attractive option for many, due to shortened program, time and the reduce tuition rate; baccalaureate nursing program have additional classes in humanities, sciences and expanded nursing coursework. Additional classes in community health nursing, nursing management and research enables the BSN nurse to be prepared for broader scope of practice (citation). By the end of this paper the reader we will be able to differentiate the two educational levels based on a patient care scenario, which demonstrates why higher education is recommended for nurses.…

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On the associate degree side there are a lot of positive aspects. The first thing is the cost of this education compared to the bachelors’ degree. Many people in today’s society cannot afford to go to the more expensive schools for a bachelors’ degree. So the two year program is financially acceptable to the majority of the people looking to become a nurse. It also allows for a person who is looking for the skills of a nurse without…

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Education is something that is required big time to be able to get into nursing. Students that want to become a registered nurse have the option on what degree they would like to get. Nursing students can choose between a bachelor, associate degree, or nursing diploma. What are the differences in them? A bachelor’s degree is a Bachelor of Science degree that prepares nurses for a job as a registered nurse ("Earning Your Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Can Expand Your Career Options”). This degree normally takes up to four years till you get it. An associate’s degree in nursing is what gives nurses a solid career foundation in the health care field ("Earning Your Associate's Degree in Nursing Can Jumpstart Your Career"). It also gives nursing students…

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nursing is a profession where people are brought together, usually at a time of vulnerability. Nurses, like the patients they care for, are constantly facing challenges, yet for nurses those challenges are often directed at their academic and skill capabilities. Due to individual and general population health needs changing, our health care system is consistently expanding, and it is necessary that nurses know more and be effectively trained to provide care in a revolutionized organization. A modest, but expanding, amount of hospitals are requiring all newly graduated nurses to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or higher at the time of hire and indicators are that many more hospitals will require the same in years soon to come (ANA, 2013).…

    • 1616 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays