American Nurses Association Case Study

Nursing according to the American Nurses Association is defined as protection, promotion and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities and populations. In response to accomplishing this and meeting up with the WHO 2020 vision of having a society in which all people live long and healthy lives, there is need for strategies to be developed and well educated professionals to be employed. Following the World War II, there was an increase in demand for nurses as a result of increase in the number and size of hospitals, incidence of chronic diseases and massive rise in the population within the United States (Friberg & Creasia, 2016, p. 13). This

Considering a scenario involving a patient post op. abdominal aorta aneurysm repair who is complaining of pain and back discomfort, an ADN nurse may assess the patient, check when the last pain medication was given and may check any standing order for breakthrough pain. In contrast, a BSN nurse will make use of critical thinking to identify the problem and create possible solution. The BSN nurse will not only check when the last pain medication was administered but will also assess the pain level of the patient before asking for the last pain medication creating avenue for teaching the patient not to wait till pain intensify before asking for pain medication. Also the nurse will assess the patient’s complaints of back discomfort or pain to rule out any possible complication such as internal bleeding, may call for further and intense assessment. This level of competence and reasoning will in turns improve patient’s outcome and