ADN VS.BSN Degree
Competency Differences between ADN and BSN Prepared Nurse
Nursing education encompasses a vast continuum. Within the undergraduate subdivision, there are two preparatory levels of nursing education: Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN). Although the underlying philosophies of patient-centered care and compassion remain consistent between both degree-levels, there are distinctions pertaining to clinical decision-making and care delivery. Major differences in competency of critical thinking and problem solving skills, evidence-based practice and clinical judgment, exist between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level and baccalaureate degree level, thus proportionally affecting patient outcomes.
The ADN is a two-year program that provides individuals the opportunity to provide entry level nursing care under the title Registered Nurse. Its initial purpose during the 1950s was to temporarily fill the nursing shortage gap after World War II. Nurses prepared at the Associate-degree level are expected to develop competence in safe and effective patient care including delegation and patient teaching. Today, ADN programs have grown exponentially across the nation and have become integrated in the curriculum of community colleges all over the U.S. The standard BSN program is typically 4 years in length and it exposes the student to evidence- based research, theory and science. While nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level are expected to provide the same competent care as an ADN prepared nurse, they are also required to integrate knowledge beyond the scope of the individual into practice. This requires an increased focus on critical thinking (Grand Canyon University, 2011). It is this increased focus on critical thinking and evidence- based approach that helped boost positive patient outcomes. The increased knowledge of nursing theory, science and research helps the baccalaureate nurse
Nursing education encompasses a vast continuum. Within the undergraduate subdivision, there are two preparatory levels of nursing education: Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN). Although the underlying philosophies of patient-centered care and compassion remain consistent between both degree-levels, there are distinctions pertaining to clinical decision-making and care delivery. Major differences in competency of critical thinking and problem solving skills, evidence-based practice and clinical judgment, exist between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level and baccalaureate degree level, thus proportionally affecting patient outcomes.
The ADN is a two-year program that provides individuals the opportunity to provide entry level nursing care under the title Registered Nurse. Its initial purpose during the 1950s was to temporarily fill the nursing shortage gap after World War II. Nurses prepared at the Associate-degree level are expected to develop competence in safe and effective patient care including delegation and patient teaching. Today, ADN programs have grown exponentially across the nation and have become integrated in the curriculum of community colleges all over the U.S. The standard BSN program is typically 4 years in length and it exposes the student to evidence- based research, theory and science. While nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level are expected to provide the same competent care as an ADN prepared nurse, they are also required to integrate knowledge beyond the scope of the individual into practice. This requires an increased focus on critical thinking (Grand Canyon University, 2011). It is this increased focus on critical thinking and evidence- based approach that helped boost positive patient outcomes. The increased knowledge of nursing theory, science and research helps the baccalaureate nurse
References: Forster, H. (2008). ADN vs. BSN. Retrieved from http://nursinglink.monster.com/education /articles/3842-adn-vs-bsn?print=true&lang=en_us&session-id=71f4a63be6adea939 5c01b9 3ac2ffd5a Grand Canyon University. (2011). Scope of practice and differentiated practice competencies. Payne, K. (1998). Nursing graduates: Competency differences [PowerPoint document]. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source =web&cd=1&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url= Rosster, R. J. (2013). Fact sheet: Creating a more highly qualified nursing workforce. Retrieved from American Association of Colleges of Nursing website: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ media-relations/NursingWorkforce.pdf