Adn vs Bsn

Decision Making Approaches of Nurses with a BSN Versus a Diploma or ADN Degree
James E. Baez
Grand Canyon University: NRS 430V
April 28, 2013

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2012) states in their factsheet on creating a more highly qualified nursing workforce that both baccalaureate prepared nurses and associate prepared nurses meet the minimum technical competency for safe entry into basic nursing practice by passing the same licensing examination. AACN also stresses that for this reason, the test does not measure any differences between graduates of different levels of education simply because that is not the purpose of the exam. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is “designed to measure the minimum level of proficiency necessary for safe delivery of care during the initial months of employment… [and] measurement of higher levels of ability is outside the purpose of the NCLEX-RN” (Smith, 2002). Therefore, the NCLEX-RN cannot predict performance over time, or test for all of the knowledge and skills developed through a baccalaureate program (AACN, 2012).
According to the factsheet on the impact of education on nursing practice by the AACN, baccalaureate prepared nurses have had “a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities” (2012). This gives them a more well-rounded education than their associate prepared colleagues and they show a greater ability to apply knowledge and scientific reasoning (AACN, 2012).
In a study by Stephanie Pardue (1987) it was concluded that there was a “significant difference in critical thinking ability” according to the educational level of the nurse. Frederickson and Mayer (1977) found that baccalaureate students scored higher on critical thinking than associate degree students. Critical thinking ensures safe nursing practice and a better quality of care. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in September 2003, Dr. Aiken demonstrated that surgical patients in hospitals with a higher percentage of BSN prepared nurses had better survival rates (Long, 2004).

References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2012). Fact Sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/NursingWorkforce.pdf
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2012). Fact Sheet: The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/edimpact.pdf.
Frederickson, K., & Mayer, G.G. (1977). Problem solving skills: What effect does education have? American Journal of Nursing, 77, 1167-1169.
Long, K., Bernier, S., & Aiken, L. (2004). RN education: a matter of degrees. Nursing, 34(3), 48-51.
Pardue, S. (1987). Decision-making skills and critical thinking ability among associate degree, diploma, baccalaureate, and master 's-prepared nurses. Journal Of Nursing Education, 26(9), 354-361.

References: American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2012). Fact Sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/NursingWorkforce.pdf American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2012). Fact Sheet: The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/edimpact.pdf. Frederickson, K., & Mayer, G.G. (1977). Problem solving skills: What effect does education have? American Journal of Nursing, 77, 1167-1169. Long, K., Bernier, S., & Aiken, L. (2004). RN education: a matter of degrees. Nursing, 34(3), 48-51. Pardue, S. (1987). Decision-making skills and critical thinking ability among associate degree, diploma, baccalaureate, and master 's-prepared nurses. Journal Of Nursing Education, 26(9), 354-361.