Nursing is a profession full of changes and growth, and nursing is seen to be a career with multiple opportunities in a variety of options, whether it be working in a physician office, hospital, an outpatient clinic or in a patient’s home. Obtaining a higher level of education in nursing, has a significant role in the outcome of our patients. This allows nurses to perform as primary care providers when pursuing a master’s degree, become more sufficient critical thinkers, allows significant changes in salary, a wide variety of different career options and be more involved in leadership. Obtaining a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) degree is important for an associate degree nurse to understand the effects it may have on their career, …show more content…
During an online program, the students are from many different backgrounds and are able to provide different ideas related to their beliefs and area of nursing. Discussion posts and assignments allow students to share their knowledge, experiences, and ideas with others from different cultures and work environments. Nurses can learn so much from each other, it may be time consuming to read other students post and thoughts but overall may help relay ideas in the workplace or better grasp a concept. Online assignments allow nurses to share experiences, opinions and issues they face in their career every day and can gather feedback from other …show more content…
The program emphasizes critical decision making, thorough assessment skills and implementing independent nursing judgements that require a broad background knowledge. Obtaining a BSN degree, allows for many different career opportunities. Most areas of leadership and management in nursing require at least a bachelor’s degree, allowing many different opportunities. Some nurses are intrigued by the opportunity to become a patient care manager, work in research, perform studies on evidence based practice and work in case management and communicate with insurance companies. Being the chair of a committee in the hospital or even taking on the role in the training and development department with the responsibility of educating new nurses and employees is obtainable with a BSN. “Registered Nurses with a diploma usually learn the basics of nursing care, while nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, will have learned more communication techniques, critical thinking, and leadership skills” (Jakubik, 2017, pg 150). Obtaining a BSN has significant impacts on career advancement, and will open doors for many different career opportunities.
Payment Advances With advances in education, responsibilities and opportunities, allows for a significant increase in pay. After obtaining a BSN,
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.
The question of whether or not nurses should be required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) to work has become a very big and controversial topic. As with any great debate, this situation comes with many advantages and disadvantages. Although some statistics may lead you to believe that the good outweighs the bad, when making the decision of whether or not obtaining a BSN should be mandated there are a great deal of barriers that have to be taken into consideration. Obtaining a BSN requires more schooling and for those who are already nurses, it means having to go back to school. This requires a lot of money, time, and motivation to balance family work and school. Nurses should not be required to obtain a BSN to work.
The development of ADN programs has allowed many to reach their career goals by offering a shorter and less expensive way to complete their degrees. Some believe that Associate’s degree programs lack strong nursing theory and understanding of the actual science of nursing (Auerbach, Buerhaus & Staiger,
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.
For the past few decades, there have been ongoing discussions involving the preferred educational level for nurses entering the field of healthcare. Two routes can be taken to entering the field: one can finish a two-year program and obtain their associate or add two years and get their baccalaureate instead. There are differences, albeit minor ones, between nurses prepared at the associate degree level versus those prepared at the baccalaureate level. However, an increase in technological advances in nursing field, and a higher demand for patient care has recently sparked the discussion of whether or not it is beneficial for nurses to further their education and obtain a baccalaureate degree or even a master’s degree as the case may be.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended in a 2010 report that eighty percent of registered nurses (RNs) hold a baccalaureate degree by 2020. This is not a new goal, but rather one that has yet to be realized, despite being first recommended in 1965 by the American Nurses Association. Healthcare has made significant advancements since that time, but nursing standards to entry and licensing regulations have not reflected these changes (Hess, 1996). Students of both Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) programs and Baccalaureate Degree (BSN) programs sit for the same national licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN. This is a disservice to the entire profession. Associate degrees are publicly perceived as 'technical' degrees. This influences public opinion on the competency and skill of all nurses (Jacobs, et al., 1998). In addition, the lack of differentiation of graduate degrees equates different educational levels and blurs expectations and requirements of the individual nurse. It also fost...
In fact, Researchers had shown the results of outcomes having different degrees of level. According to AACN, Today 61% Nurses in the United States have a BSN degree who works in health settings. In fact, BSN nurses reduce death rate mortality, and readmission rate by using clinical practice knowledge (AACN) . Having advance level of knowledge involves nurses to manage the patient level of care and monitor for progress. American Organization of Nurses Executives states that nurses who have a higher education level promotes safe nursing care and improves patient safety. Higher educational nurses prepare herself for clinical challenging and complex roles (AACN, page 1). They develop more ideas, better intervention, and focus more on clinical
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.
The need for a BSN is for entry into nursing practice is widely supported dating back to 1965 when the American Nurses Association (ANA) published a paper stating the BSN to be the minimal level of education for entry in to practice (Taylor, 2008, p. 611). In the opinion of this author, in order to move the practice of nursing from a technical job to a professional career it is vital to have a minimal education of a BSN. Having a BSN helps to level the ...
A nurse with only a two year college experience is not going to nearly have as much experience and knowledge as a nurse who has gone through two extra years of schooling and training. Also, in today’s society, nurses are required to have a BSN rather than only a two year degree due to all of the medical advances that have taken place. It is overall, in my opinion, more beneficial to have a BSN along with a RN for more job opportunities and also to have the extra training and experience acquired to work successfully in the field of
Nursing encompasses several levels of education and licensure. For decades the differentiation between these levels has been debated, primarily between the differentiation of the Associates degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). The associate’s degree, which began with the intention of creating a technical nurse, has developed into being “equivalent” to a bachelors degree (Hess, 1996). The two degrees however are not equivalent, the bachelors educated nurse receives two years education beyond the associate, in the liberal arts and upper division nursing courses
Nursing has always been a key career in the health care system. Although it is not often focused on in media and stories surrounding health care, nursing is a career of great importance. If any patient was asked about their experience at a hospital or a care center, many will mention the capability and care that they received from the nurses. The health care system could not function efficiently, if at all, if nurses were not present to perform their part. Nurses are more than just physicians support staff. Of interest in this paper is why people choose to study nursing in university or college. From students just graduating high school to mature student who have prior degrees or education, nursing is a popular choice as a path to study
McEwen, M., Pullis, B. R., White, M. J., & Krawtz, S. (2013). Eighty Percent by 2020: The Present and Future of RN-to-BSN Education. The Journal of nursing education, 1-9.
As a nurse supervisor, I am responsible for overseeing the nurses on my shift. I must be able to evaluate each nurse and the care they provide ensuring that the best possible care is being provided. I must ensure that company policies and procedures are being followed. I am responsible for overseeing patient care to assist the staff with each patient when needed. The BSN program will teach me how to be a better manager and improve the nursing skills I already use in my practice. The BSN program will teach the use of quality improvement measures, outcomes, safety, and skills in working within organizations and communities (AACN, 2008). Another reason I am pursuing a BSN degree, so in the future, I will have more job opportunities. In today’s nursing field, more employers are requiring a BSN to be considered for management positions. A BSN will also provide opportunities to explore more areas of the nursing field. Continuing education allows me to grow and gain different experiences that will enhance the core values of nursing. Education will help balance evidence based practice, skills, and knowledge with compassion and professional confidence to be a caring nurse. Education can reinforce the moral, ethical, and legal conduct nurses should
The BSN program helps the nurses in many ways including utilizing the process to the full scale and it will encourage nurses to use their skills like educating the patient as we’ll as creating new nurses. Because of the new health care reform, the BSN program will also aid in filling the gap from the influx of patients. The baccalaureate degrees and BSN program helps prepare students for the significant part they are going to play in reinforcing the new healthcare reform. At present, I utilize and develop nursing care plans in the nursing process, even though it needs some corrections due to the nature of my work. The highest standards of nursing can only be achieved through better research and advanced training.