Comparative Analysis of Associate-Degree and Baccalaureate-Degree Nurses

1. Discuss te differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level

2. Quality patient care hinges on having a well educated workforce. Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.

BSN nursing education incorporates the roles of assessing, critical thinking, communicating, providing knowledge and impacts decisions and interactions. ”BSN prepares the graduate for a broader scope of practice, and creates a more highly qualified nursing workforce. May 2008 issue of the Journal of nursing administration 10% increase of BSN nurses in a workforce

nurse in particular have a broader based knowledge from which to draw when assessing, setting goals and implementing plans of care and outcomes. This also empowers them with critical thinking skills that affect patient outcomes. The BSN nurse and nurses with higher education are equipped to identify and adjust, making the required changes when problems in care and patient outcomes arises. Their knowledge impacts decisions and interventions.

3. In the October 2012 Issue of Medical Care “Researches from the university of Pennsylvania found that surgical patients in magnet hospitals had 14% lower odds of inpatient deaths within 30 days and 12% lower odds of failure to rescue compared with patients cared for in non- Magnet hospitals. The study authors conclude that these better outcomes were attributed in large part to investment in highly qualified and educated nurses, including a higher proportion of baccalaureate prepared

There was a situation in which we had and outbreak of urinary tract infections. While most nurses emphasized hand washing and proper perineal care one of the managerial nurses who had her BSN. took it a step further. She analyzed the data for the urinary tract infections. Taking into consideration who the primary care givers were for those residents, she was able to track down the care givers who most probably did not give proper perineal care and gave them individual in-service training on top of the facility wide in servicing. She reviewed and amended the facilities policy and procedure on Urinary tract infections and then educated all staff on the revised plan of care with follow up schedules to ensure compliance. She implemented set standards of care for everybody to prevent urinary tract infections and also for those who had signs/symptoms of a UTI. The 3 quarters following the implementation of the revised pol icy and procedure for UTI’s there was not a single UTI in the facility. This definitely improved the outcome for