Since the inception of the Associate Degree in Nursing there has been research and discussion as to whether this degree should continue. This is due to the adversity in the level of competency between the two. Current popular thought is that the entry-level into nursing should be the Bachelor of Science in nursing bringing the increase in the complexity of the medical arena and its every changing makeup to the professional level of the Baccalaureate Degree. It has been shown that a nurse’s level of education can become a major factor to the safety and quality of care of their patients because of this there has been an increase in studies over the years that directly examine patient outcomes in similar situations between Associate Degree Nursing (AD) and Baccalaureate Degree Nursing further know as (BSN) (Fagin, 2001) The states of New York and Texas conducted separate studies that were done in the year 1996. Both of these studies agree on the point that there is a significantly higher degree in levels of medication errors and procedural mistakes made by nurses that are from AD Degree and Diploma Degree nurses as compared to that of a BSN Nurse and AD degree nurses were destined to be charged nine times more often with violations than those with a BSN degree. These results are equivalent with the results disclosed in the July/August 2002 issue of Nurse Educator magazine (Fagin, 2002, para. 50). Research has also shown that when you have a shortage of registered nurses at the baccalaureate and higher degree it is endangering the safety of the patient. Comparatively in a study done at the University of Pennsylvania they found that patients experienced a significantly lower death and failure to re... ... middle of paper ... ...When Care Becomes a Burden: Diminishing access to adequate nursing. Retrieved from Milbank Memorial Fund: http://www.milbank.org/reports/WhenCareBecomesBurden_Fagin.pdf Giger, J. N., & Davidhizar, R. E. (2006, December 22). Conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care: associate versus baccalaureate degree prepared nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 15, 1009 - 1015. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.1990.tb01980.x Green, (1996). (Survey). State Education Department/University of the State of New York Johnson, J. H. (1988). Differences in the performance of baccalaureate, associate degree and diploma nurses. Research in Nursing and Health, 11, 183-197. Rosseter, R. J. (2010, March 18). Fact Sheet: The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice (Fact Sheet). Retrieved from American Association of Colleges of Nurses: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media/pdf/EdImpact.pdf
Nursing, as a crucial part of the health care system, keeps evolving while dealing with an increasingly complex clinical situation that involves quality of patient care. Therefore, to successfully handle these scenarios, nursing needs to become more advanced, clinically and academically. A DNP degree is needed in this situation because according to Dunbar- Jacob, Navito & Khalil (2013), a DNP degree is considered to have more impact on nursing than a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree due to the advanced clinical education a DNP provides (p. 425). Hence, the DNP degree has an enormous impact in nursing practice especially in terms of improving clinical care, promoting leadership roles, and improving educational status.
The national shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) has helped generate formidable interest in the nursing profession among people entering the workforce and those pursuing a career change. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service in 2002, the national population is continuing to grow and age and medical services continue to advance, so the need for nurses will continue to increase. They report from 2000 to 2020 the predicted shortage of nurses is expected to grow to 29 percent, compared to a 6 percent shortage in 2000. With the projected supply, demand, and shortage of registered nurses and nursing salaries ever-increasing, the nursing profession can offer countless opportunities. But first one must determine which educational path to pursue, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Associate Degree in nursing (ADN). Most will initially be educated at the associate degree level, even though the American Organization of Nursing Executives (AONE) has recommended a baccalaureate level as a minimal for entry-level nurses. With the expanding number of RN to BSN programs available there is always the option to further one’s education at a later date. The benefits for acquiring a BSN over an ADN include a better knowledge for evidence-based practice, an increased advantage for promotion, and the necessary gateway for higher education.
Taylor, D. (2008). Should the entry into nursing practice be the baccalaureate degree?. AORN Journal, 87(3), 611-620. doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2007.07.006
Taylor, D. L. (2008). Should the Entry Into Nursing Practice be the Baccalaureate Degree? AORN Journal, 87(3), 611-619.
Nursing practice holds different levels of degree for nurses that include Associate degree in Nursing, Bachelor degree in nursing, and Master degree in Nursing. Even though the degree level in nursing are to provide basic care to the patients, but the level of competency and knowledge in the profession is different. Nursing practice in advance level play important role to provide quality of care to patients. Many health care settings require nurses to earn baccalaureate degree level to apply for RN position. The purpose of writing this paper is to identify the proficiency level between an Associate degree of Nursing versus Baccalaureate degree level.
Heller, B. R. , Oros, M. T., & Durney-Crowley, J. (2000). The future of nursing education: 10 trends to watch. Nursing and Health Care Perspectives, 21(1), 9-13.
Nursing leaders nationwide believe that it is important for nurses with an Associate Degree to return to school to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) education within 10 years of graduation from an Associate Degree program to keep their licensure. The reason why this bill is passed is because of patient safety. Nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) have lower mortality rates in surgery department, less incidences, and better outcomes in the acute care settings which are heavily emphasized in the Affordable Care Act necessary for payment reimbursement (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2014). This bill A01977/S02533A was introduced in January 27, 2012 in the state of New York. At the same time the state of New Jersey also introduced similar bill A553. This author will represent one of the registered nurses with an Associate Degree who is going back for their BSN education to see the effectiveness of the bill on the healthcare system and therefore supports the bill.
Current literature continues to reiterate the indicators of a major shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in the United States. The total RN population has been increasing since 1980, which means that we have more RNs in this country than ever before (Nursing Shortage). Even though the RN population is increasing, it is growing at a much slower rate then when compared to the rate of growth of the U.S. population (Nursing Shortage). We are seeing less skilled nurses “at a time of an increasingly aging population with complex care needs and an increasingly complex technological care environment” (Mion). According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Health and Human Services, it is estimated that “more than a million new and replacement nurses will be needed over the next decade” (Diagnosis: Critical).
There is a shortage of all health care professions throughout the United States. One shortage in particular that society should be very concerned about is the shortage of Registered Nurses. Registered Nurses make up the single largest healthcare profession in the United States. A registered nurse is a vital healthcare professional that has earned a two or four year degree and has the upper-most responsibility in providing direct patient care and staff management in a hospital or other treatment facilities (Registered Nurse (RN) Degree and Career Overview., 2009). This shortage issue is imperative because RN's affect everyone sometime in their lifetime. Nurses serve groups, families and individuals to foster health and prevent disease.
The shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in the United States has been a cyclical topic dating back to the 1960s. Only recently have employers in certain regions of the nation stated a decline in the demand for RNs. Consequently, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2014) report on 2012-2013 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, American nursing schools denied admission to 79,659 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2012. The reported decrease in job availability and rejected admissions has left many individuals to question if the nursing shortage still exists. On the other hand, some experts project that the United States will be short more than one million RNs by 2020 (Dolan, 2011). Although some parts of the country are in less of a demand than others, it is undeniable that there is a national shortage of RNs.
There are various incentives and disincentives for practicing nurses to continue their formal education. Dr. Tanya Altmann, Sacramento State University Associate Professor, published a meta-analysis of ten studies of the concerns faced by diploma nurses (DN) and associates degree nurses (ADN) about pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
Patient’s safety will be compromised because increase of patient to nurse ratio will lead to mistakes in delivering quality care. In 2007, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) conducted a metanalysis and found that “shortage of registered nurses, in combination with increased workload, poses a potential threat to the quality of care… increases in registered nurse staffing was associated with a reduction in hospital-related mortality and failure to rescue as well as reduced length of stay.” Intense workload, stress, and dissatisfaction in one’s profession can lead to health problems. Researchers found that maintaining and improving a healthy work environment will facilitate safety, quality healthcare and promote a desirable professional avenue.
Nursing is a knowledge-based discipline. Continuing education is essential for to keep nursing as a profession. Continuing education will enhance knowledge, to provide an optimum care for the patient. To strengthen the base of nursing obtaining BSN will provide you with in –depth knowledge of better skills for decisions making, planning and evaluating patient’s outcome. Patient care is the main key component of the nursing practice. Emphases on higher education will helps in advanced nursing provide nurses with critical skills for complex patients, good communication and leadership skills to best outcome of the patent. Research has shown that nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree level can lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors,
These articles have many similarities when discussing the issue of staffing shortages. For patients, their loved ones and the general population, they don’t understand the ramifications and strain that staffing shortages have on nurses. People expect and deserve complete, competent and safe care when they are patients. These articles bring to light all the struggles that nurses have to deal with. Nurses are fearful that they will make mistakes, will harm patients, and will harm themselves. (Bae, 2012; Erlen, 2001; Martin, 2015) Overtime can be overwhelming and exhausting, which can lead to errors being made. (Bae, 2012; Erlen, 2001) These articles perceive that it may be beneficial for nurses, patients, and healthcare facilities to decrease the nurse-to-patient ratio, however, this option is not always
Community Colleges offering Associates Degrees in Nursing appear to see that graduates of these programs are being placed in nursing roles that ...