Preview

Higher Education Equals Better Outcomes

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1236 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Higher Education Equals Better Outcomes
Higher education equals better outcomes, ADN vs BSN in the nursing workforce
Sean McNamara
Grand Canyon University
Professional Dynamics
NRS-430v
Tricia Aud
July 31, 2013

Higher education equals better outcomes, ADN vs BSN in the nursing workforce

The ADN vs BSN subject has typically been discussed and debated thru out work places, class rooms, and even the dinner table but the facts through statistical research prove that more education provides better, safer care and will lead to better patient outcomes. BSN nurses have a broader knowledge base. This not only lends to the increase in critical thinking with a stronger foundation of personal information but also leads to the development of a more confident nurse that can apply the information in a timely concise fashion.
Both ADN and BSN nurses take the same NCLEX exam. This is the basic technical requirement of knowledge needed for entry level caregiving in the field of nursing. After that both degrees need a period of orientation and mentoring for a period of time dependent on each individual to acquire a rudimentary level of skill before being able to care for patients on their own. Studies have shown this is when BSN nursing degrees demonstrates the reasoning for further education. “A Bachelors of Nursing allows for focus on critical thinking in a manner that an ADN cannot because the focus of an ADN is primarily pathophysiology and its application to everyday nursing” (Orsolini-Hain & Waters, 2009). Research in the field has lead to establishing that BSN prepared RNs are better qualified in critical thinking and providing more thoughtful care. In this research it was found that for every 10 percent increase in the number of BSN-prepared nurses there was a corresponding 5 percent decrease in the mortality of surgical patients in Pennsylvania hospitals of various characteristics. As superb as these graduates are, research suggests additional education makes a difference in the skill and



References: Aiken, L. H., Clarke, S. P., Sloane, D. M., & Silber, J. H. (2003). education levels of hospital nurses and patient mortality . journal of american medical association, 12(), . http://dx.doi.org/Retrieved from Boyd, T. (2010). . Retrieved from nurse.com Cresia, J. L., & Friberg, E. (2011). conceptual foundations the bridge to nursing practise (5 ed.). St Louis MO: Mosby. National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice. (1996). report to the secretary of the department of health and human services on the basic registered nurse workforce. . Orsolini-Hain, L., & Waters, V. (2009). Education evolution:historical perspective of associate degree nursing ( ed.). : . []. http://dx.doi.org/. Retrieved from ROSSETER, R. J. (2012). creating amore highly qualified nursing workforce. Retrieved from www.aacn.nche.edu US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Service Administration. (2010). The Registered Nurse Population. Retrieved from

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Adn vs Bsn

    • 1296 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Cresaia, J., & Friberg, E. (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to professional nursing practice (5th ed.), Retrieved on November, 2, 2012 from http://Pageburstls.elsevier.com/978-0-323-06869.…

    • 1296 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Educational Preparation

    • 988 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Creasia, Joan L., & Friburg, Elizabeth (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier.…

    • 988 Words
    • 4 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
  • Better Essays

    Creasia, J.L., & Friberg, E. (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice, 5th Edition., 2011. Pageburst Online. Web. 21 February 2013 .…

    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the topics discussed in this report is the future of nursing education. The changes being made to our country’s healthcare system must include changes in nursing education prior to licensing and post license practicing nurses. With this change comes the need for a larger amount of nurses entering the workforce to have a bachelor’s degree or obtain it very early in the career. This report states that nurses must be adequately trained to care for a diverse population and to provide all patients safe and quality care and to perform as a leader. Nurses also must be prepared to care for patients in different care settings, such as, community and public health settings. The baccalaureate nurse receives this education whereas an associate’s degree nurse does not. Nurses should continue to educate themselves throughout the career with physicians and other healthcare professionals. A better educated nurse leads to better education for the patient thus possibly keeping them from an…

    • 796 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
  • Powerful Essays

    Nuring Shortage

    • 1010 Words
    • 5 Pages

    This editorial response is in regards to the July 2005 editorial regarding nursing shortage. This author would like to commend the author on the article entitled, Nursing Shortage: Have We Missed the Real Problem? The article was found to be informative in regards to the subject matter, having significant content. Everyday, we are reminded of the existing nursing shortage within the United States. Discussion surrounding this topic is complex and interrelated. Today’s nursing shortage is very real and very different from any experienced in the past. The new nursing shortage is evidenced by fewer nurses entering the workforce, acute nursing shortages in certain geographic areas, and a shortage of nurses adequately prepared to meet certain areas of patient need in an ever changing health care environment. As a result, there is a growing realization that the supply of appropriately prepared nurses is inadequate to meet the needs of a diverse population.…

    • 1010 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    An ADN program is obtain in a community college and has a reduce tuition rate and a shortened program time of two years. The program is more condensed. It is also more tasks oriented and focuses more on the clinical skills. It does not have the theory and science behind nursing as a profession. The BSN program is a four year program that is obtained in universities and colleges. In this program there are more researches, theories and knowledge base. It also focuses on the entire field of nursing. The BSN program exposes the nurses to other areas such as human diversity, health promotion, ethical, legal, political and social influences.…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Bsn Versus Adn Competency

    • 930 Words
    • 4 Pages

    References: Friberg, Creasia and (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice [5] (VitalSource Bookshelf), Retrieved from http://pageburstls.elsevier.com/books/978…

    • 930 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    While an Associate Degree Nurse, also known as an ADN, and Bachelor of Science in nursing nurse, also known as a BSN, are given the same preliminary education relating to patient treatment, there are notable differences in their professional and educational preparation, as well as their competencies. These two degrees have different levels of patient interaction and contact, as well as job expectations. ADN and BSN programs focus on different aspects and angles of education and job focus that all ultimately lead to taking optimal care of the patient. This paper compares the differences between those two areas and how important it is for these two degrees to work together as a team to provide the best possible outcome for all patients and nurses involved. This paper will touch on the differences between the educational levels and focuses, the clinical competencies, and the job expectations of the ADN and the BSN.…

    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Adn vs Bsn

    • 879 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Over the course of time, many different types and levels of degrees have developed in the field of nursing. Today, many individuals are in an internal conflict of having either their ADN or BSN, the two most common degrees in the field. According to a sample survey, 50.0% of the nursing workforce currently hold a BSN and 36.1% have obtained an ADN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2012). An ADN is an Associates degree in Nursing, whereas a BSN is a Baccalaureate in Nursing. The issue of the conflict arises from the confusion of what the actual benefit and difference the BSN would make in the work field due to the current good mixture of nurses with both degrees who work in the same areas doing the same work. Other than a slight pay difference, there are many benefits that individuals don’t realize there are in having a BSN.…

    • 879 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Future of Nursing

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages

    It has been an ongoing debate for years as to what the minimum level of education nurses should have when entering the healthcare workforce. Nursing is one of the few professions that has many avenues into the same role, title, and employment (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies [IOM], 2010). At the present time, there is still a hospital based diploma programs, Associate degree programs, and finally…

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    ADN VS.BSN Degree

    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages

    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.…

    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Care Profession and it comprises more than 3 million registered nurses (RNs) in the United…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) believes that education significantly impacts the knowledge base and competencies of nurses (AACN, 2010). BSN and ADN nurses have the same basic skills needed to care for patients, however, the BSN prepared nurse builds upon these skills.…

    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays