What Is The Difference Between A Nurse And Associate Degree Nursing

Bachelors of Science in nursing and Associate’s Degree Nursing both lead to RN, however, there are many differences. Associate degree education opened nursing education to abroad student population the existence of three entry level educational programs diploma, associate and baccalaureate degree all leading to registered nurse licensure. Associate degree nursing is trained mostly on clinical skills and it can be community based setting of 2 years program. Associate degree program takes only two years to achieve and has a reduced tuition fee compared to Baccalaureate nursing program. Associate degree nursing program requires proficiency in college level English, Mathematics and core course include two levels of anatomy and labs, nursing fundamentals

In reference to several studies, nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels help with positive outcomes such as lower mortality rates and decline medication errors. However many nurses have not taken the baccalaureate program, so many issues and errors are more likely to occur. However, the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) was organized to work coherently to create more highly qualified nursing workforce which will help clinical competency and care delivery and reduce the number of errors. Today’s nursing workforce highlights research connecting education to establish the capacity of four year colleges to enhance the level of nursing education in the USA. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is willing to work with the larger nursing community and representatives from associate degree and diploma program to expand the education of degree completion options, facilitate the establishment or articulation agreements and enhance the educational preparation of nursing workforce. Many Employers are noticing that nurses that take the baccalaureate program make a huge difference and are hiring the best educated entry level Registered Nurses. According to AACN’s survey on employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer preferences for Baccalaureate-prepared Nurses released in October 2014, more than 79 % of employers are now requiring or expressing a strong preference for nurses with a baccalaureate degree. www.aacn.nche.edu/learning initiatives