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Educational preparation of a professional nurse
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Creating the Professional Nurse 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 Both the ADN and the BSN take the same licensing exam, receive the same credentials and often have little pay and benefit distinction (Hess, 1996). What appears to have little difference superficially actually has significant implications on the health of our nation, efficiency of practice, and role nursing plays in the healthcare community. The impact that this difference in degrees has is why the bachelor’s degree in Nursing is the absolute minimum requirement for entry into practice. This can ensure that the field of nursing is a field that is professional, scientifically based, and culturally aware. Impact on Nursing as a Profession The use of the same national licensing exam and credentials on two different levels of education causes a discontinuity in the type of nurse that is titled as a registered nurse. The added courses in liberal arts taken by the BSN prepared nurse promotes learning as an aspect to life, opening doorways to advanced degrees (Jacobs, DiMattio, Bishop & Fields, 1998). The liberal arts also prepare the nurse to be more versatile in their ways of thinking, creatively approac... ... middle of paper ... ...of education requirements upwards to a BSN, there are some barriers that must be addressed to allow a seamless transition. While there is a role out there for the associate’s degree in the spectrum it is not the autonomous role of the registered nurse. Works Cited David, T. (2008). Should the entry into nursing practice be the baccalaureate degree. ACORN Journal, 87(2), 611-620. Hess, J. (1996). Education for entry into practice: An ethical perspective. Journal of Professional Nursing, 12(5), 289-296. Jacobs, L., DiMattio, M. K., Bishop, T. L., & Fields, S. D. (1998). The baccalaureate degree in nursing as an entry-level requirement for professional nursing practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 14(4), 225-233. Schipman, D., & Hootan, J. (2010). Employers prefer bsn nurses: But where’s the financial compensation?. Nurse Education Today, 30(2), 105-106.
Professionalism in the workplace in many professions can be simplified into general categories such as neat appearance, interaction with clients, punctuality, general subject knowledge, and likability. In nursing, professionalism encompasses a much more broad and inclusive set of criteria than any other profession. Nurses specifically are held to a higher standard in nearly every part of their job. Nurses are not only expected to uphold what it seen as professional in the aforementioned categories, but they are also expected to promote health, wellbeing, and advocate for patients, but also continually provide the highest standard of care, demonstrate exemplary subject and procedural knowledge, and abide by the Code of ethics set forth by the American Nurses Association. This Code of Ethics includes the complex moral and ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, honesty, and integrity.
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.
Presently there are many different levels of education that produce entry level licensed nurses. These range from degree programs such Associate Degree in Nursing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However the level of education differs from program to program. Nursing programs offering the diploma option, Associate-Degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN), all have different educational requirements. However, it is important to consider that although different levels of nursing education students sit through the same exam, they do not possess the same level of preparation for clinical practice. (Rossetter, 2014) The problem with this is that it does not provide a clear differentiation between the skills and responsibilities that each degree withholds. (Jacobs, 1998) How is it possible to have two different levels of education in these degrees, and yet have people with different qualifications practicing in the same manner? There should be some differentiation between the two based on their objective qualifications. This is of great importance since there has been reported more positive patient outcomes associated with more educated BSN nurses. (Rossetter, 2014)
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 ...
There has been great debate in the nursing community for years regarding what should be the educational requirements for a practicing nurse. There are currently many options for men and women to enter the field through LPN, ADN, and BSN programs. More recently, programs have been popping up allowing accelerated BSN obtainment through second degree programs. The debate stems from the conflicting ideas of whether nursing as a whole is a trade, requiring an associate’s degree, or should be considered a profession, often requiring a Baccalaureate degree. In this paper this author will use past nursing history, current medical demands and advancements, and clinical patient outcomes to argue that the minimum education for a nurse should be a Baccalaureate degree.
Taylor, D. L. (2008). Should the entry into nursing practice be the baccalaureate degree?. Aorn Journal, 87(3), 611-620.
Having and bachelor’s degree in the science of nursing (BSN) opens many doors for the registered nurse (RN). Amongst the opportunities also come additional expectations and responsibilities. In the new testament Jesus Christ refers to this by saying much is required of those that have received much (Luke 12:48). This is true for BSN-prepared RNs, but one must consider the risks and the benefits.
While transitioning from RN to BSN, I am enduring countless learning, professional experience, and nursing knowledge. I am learning that baccalaureate nursing gives me a different perception of viewing nursing care as not only limited to individual and a family but also the whole community. The professional development that higher education is bringing upon me is exceptional.
In 1965, the American Nurses Association shared its vision for the future of nursing education. A primary goal in its message was that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) becomes the minimum requirement for entry into nursing practice (Nelson, 2002). Fifty years later, debates on this issue continue. In its report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change and Advancing Healthcare, the Institute of Medicine shared its recommendation that 80% of nurses possess a bachelor’s degree by the year 2020. A significant number of health care facilities have adopted the practice of hiring nurses with BSN over those with two year Associate’s Degree of Nursing (ADN) or a three-year hospital based diploma program. Stakeholders in the Registered Nurse (RN)
Jacobs, L. A., DiMattio, M. J. K., Bishop, T. L., & Fields, S. D. (1998). The baccalaureate degree in nursing as an entry-level requirement for professional nursing practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 14(4), 225-233.
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.
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.
The second key message focused on the recommendation that registered nurses receive greater levels of training and education. This message emphasized the need for nurses to enter the work force with a baccalaureate degree, or obtain it shortly afterwards. It also stressed the need more graduate nurses, specifically “nurse faculty and researchers at the doctoral level” (IOM, 2011, p. 164). Innovative solutions were devised to speak to nursing school capacity and curriculum in order to attain the IOM recommended goal of 80 percent of nurses holding a BSN by the year 2020.
What is a nurse? Is a nurse a caregiver, a patient advocate, a professional? There certainly could be a place for the technical and professional nurse in today’s world, but they are not differentiated in the workplace. Hospitals have stopped hiring Licensed Practical Nurses altogether, and Registered Nurses with an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) are doing many of the same jobs as nurses with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) in the hospital and clinical setting. While the Registered Nurse with the higher level of education may have more opportunity for advancement, their roles are not clearly differentiated in everyday practice. It appears that ADNs and BSNs are being used interchangeably in the workplace due to the lack of availability of BSNs. It seems as though the pendulum has swung more toward the direction of ADNs being placed in management roles due to years experience, rather than level of education (Hess, 1996).