Educational Preparedness
Misty L. Williams
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-0101
April 22, 2013
Differences in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Associate Degree Level versus the Baccalaureate Degree Levels in Nursing The nursing profession has evolved over the years to be a highly respected career for men and women. There are many different areas of nursing that one could consider based on the desired level of professionalism and/or expertise. The nursing profession includes certified nursing attendants, licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses, baccalaureate level nurses, mastered level nurses, and even doctorate level nurses. Nurses of all levels can specialize in a certain area of their choice. In this paper, I will review the difference in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate degree level versus the baccalaureate degree level.
Requirements for all Levels of Nursing Regardless of which educational level that a nurse desires, he or she must complete the state licensure board exam. The exam is either pass or fail and is designed to prove that the nurses are equally prepared to practice as a registered nurse. A nurse should have a desire to care for the ill with compassion. Nurses at either level should have a desire to improve patient outcomes and to improve the quality of patient care. The level of educational preparedness differs between the associate degree level and the baccalaureate degree level.
Associate Degree Level Nursing Competencies The associate degree is usually obtained from a community college or a hospital based nursing school. It is usually obtained within 2-3 years. According to Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA, “the ADN graduate utilizes critical thinking and demonstrates clinical competence and accountability as an adaptable generalist who is committed to caring for others and valuing the profession of nursing.” The National League of Nursing says that the competencies for an associate degree level nurse are
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V-0101
April 22, 2013
Differences in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Associate Degree Level versus the Baccalaureate Degree Levels in Nursing The nursing profession has evolved over the years to be a highly respected career for men and women. There are many different areas of nursing that one could consider based on the desired level of professionalism and/or expertise. The nursing profession includes certified nursing attendants, licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses, baccalaureate level nurses, mastered level nurses, and even doctorate level nurses. Nurses of all levels can specialize in a certain area of their choice. In this paper, I will review the difference in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate degree level versus the baccalaureate degree level.
Requirements for all Levels of Nursing Regardless of which educational level that a nurse desires, he or she must complete the state licensure board exam. The exam is either pass or fail and is designed to prove that the nurses are equally prepared to practice as a registered nurse. A nurse should have a desire to care for the ill with compassion. Nurses at either level should have a desire to improve patient outcomes and to improve the quality of patient care. The level of educational preparedness differs between the associate degree level and the baccalaureate degree level.
Associate Degree Level Nursing Competencies The associate degree is usually obtained from a community college or a hospital based nursing school. It is usually obtained within 2-3 years. According to Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA, “the ADN graduate utilizes critical thinking and demonstrates clinical competence and accountability as an adaptable generalist who is committed to caring for others and valuing the profession of nursing.” The National League of Nursing says that the competencies for an associate degree level nurse are
References: The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. (October 2008). American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Cerritos College, Competencies Expected for the Associate Degree Nurse. Retrieved from www.cerritos.edu National League of Nursing, Faculty Programs and Resources (2011). The Voice for Nursing Education. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/facultyprograms/Competencies/index.htm. American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Fact Sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. (October 2012) ----------------------- 2