The Importance of BSN
The Importance of a BSN Prepared Nurse in Today’s Health System
My interest of going back to school sparked some interesting questions amongst my colleagues. Some would ask, “Why?” Others would ask,” Does it make you a better a nurse?” The comment that all nurses practice under the same governing board so why bother was heard twice. These are great questions and while all nurses do practice under the same board, with the demanding and evolving changes in health care and the numerous studies that show better patient outcomes with baccalaureate prepared nurses at the bedside has sparked a call for 80% of nurses to be BSN prepared by 2020("Institute of Medicine," 2010). A nurse with a higher education can work in diverse health setting, will be equipped to handle these evolving changes and deliver a higher quality of care.
Currently there are three routes one can purse for their endeavor of becoming a registered nurse. There is the three year diploma program rendered through a hospital; an individual may seek out an associate degree rendered at the community college; or there is the four year baccalaureate degree offered at the university level. Graduates from all three pathways take the same NCLEX-RN exam.
Competencies
The baccalaureate nursing program and the associate degree program cover the same content but the baccalaureate is more comprehensive in the physical and social sciences, nursing research, leadership and management, community and public nursing and humanities. This allows the BSN graduate to be prepared to work in all health settings. Baccalaureate prepared nurses can work at the bedside, work in education, be case managers, work in public health, home health or clinic settings. The associate degree nurse is restricted to delivering firsthand patient care in a less diverse health care setting such as hospitals, skilled nursing and long term care facilities, clinics and physician offices.
The Accountable Care Act was signed on March 23, 2010.
My interest of going back to school sparked some interesting questions amongst my colleagues. Some would ask, “Why?” Others would ask,” Does it make you a better a nurse?” The comment that all nurses practice under the same governing board so why bother was heard twice. These are great questions and while all nurses do practice under the same board, with the demanding and evolving changes in health care and the numerous studies that show better patient outcomes with baccalaureate prepared nurses at the bedside has sparked a call for 80% of nurses to be BSN prepared by 2020("Institute of Medicine," 2010). A nurse with a higher education can work in diverse health setting, will be equipped to handle these evolving changes and deliver a higher quality of care.
Currently there are three routes one can purse for their endeavor of becoming a registered nurse. There is the three year diploma program rendered through a hospital; an individual may seek out an associate degree rendered at the community college; or there is the four year baccalaureate degree offered at the university level. Graduates from all three pathways take the same NCLEX-RN exam.
Competencies
The baccalaureate nursing program and the associate degree program cover the same content but the baccalaureate is more comprehensive in the physical and social sciences, nursing research, leadership and management, community and public nursing and humanities. This allows the BSN graduate to be prepared to work in all health settings. Baccalaureate prepared nurses can work at the bedside, work in education, be case managers, work in public health, home health or clinic settings. The associate degree nurse is restricted to delivering firsthand patient care in a less diverse health care setting such as hospitals, skilled nursing and long term care facilities, clinics and physician offices.
The Accountable Care Act was signed on March 23, 2010.
References: Aiken, L., Clark, S., Sloane, D., Lake, E., & Cheney, T. (2008). Effects of hospital care on environment on patient mortality and nurses outcomes. Journal of Nursing Administration 38(5), 223-229. Aiken, L., Clarke, S., Sloane, D., Lake, E., & Cheney, T. (2003). Educational levels of hospitals nurses and surgical patient mortality. Journal of Nursing Administration 290,917-1623. Kutney-Lee, A., Sloan, D. M., & Aiken, L. H. (2013) An Increase in the Number on Baccalaureate Degrees in Linked to Lower Rates of Post-Surgery Mortality. Health Affaris,32 (3), 579-586 Institute of Medicine (2010) The Future of Nursing Leading Change, Advancing Health Retrieved http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health.aspx National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (2008) Meeting the Challenges of the New Millennium Retrieved http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/impact-of-education