Differences between an Associate and Baccalaureate-Degree Nurse
In today’s day of nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), “believes that education has a significant impact on the knowledge and competencies” (Rosseter, n.d.) of all practicing nurses. It is believed that nurses who attend a university and study at the baccalaureate level over attending a community college at the associate degree level are better prepared and more well-rounded for the demands placed on nurses today.
Associate degree nursing programs were developed during the postwar years, by Mildred Montag, to help “minimize the nursing shortage of the 1970’s and 1980’s” (Creasia & Friberg, 2011, Chapter 1). Today, many enter into the two-year program for different reasons; community colleges tuition is cheaper than attending a university, less time commitment, as well as a head start to finding a job. Obtaining an Associate Degree (AD) in Nursing, also “designated the technical or semiprofessional nurse” (Orsolini-Hain & Waters, 2009, p. 268) enabled the graduates
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However, the faster route is not necessary the better route. Nurses graduating from ADN program are more task oriented, unlike nurses trained at the baccalaureate level who have more leadership training, stronger communication, and critical thinking skills. “Evidence shows that nursing education level is a factor in patient safety and quality of care” (Rosseter, n.d.). Baccalaureate trained nurses have lower mortality rates, with fewer medication errors than that of an associate degree trained nurse. Although both the BSN and ADN programs have prepared nurses for entry-level staff positions, it has “led to confusion among the public and the profession as to the exact requirements for a credential as a professional nurse” (Creasia & Friberg, 2011, Chapter
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.
Obtaining a BSN requires a great deal of time and for many people that is a barrier. Nurses who have been working for several years and those that are new to the field may consider time as being a challenge for them. For the nurses that have been already working for several years would have to go back to school to obtain a BSN along with working. The work schedules of their job and classes may conflict and can cause a great deal of stress which will result in them either no longer working or postponing obtaining a BSN until another time (Megginson, 2008). Nursing is already a demanding career so including more schooling in addition to working can be very overwhelming to people. The people that are new at obtaining a degree in nursing may find it better to get an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) rather than a BSN, as well, because it takes less time. According to David L. Taylor the price of tuition for an ADN program versus a BSN is drastically different and it also takes a great deal less time ...
Taylor, D. L. (2008). Should the Entry Into Nursing Practice be the Baccalaureate Degree? AORN Journal, 87(3), 611-619.
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.
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
Let me begin by giving you a brief history. I was hired in 2008 as an operating room (OR) circulating nurse. I made very good friends with 4 other girls from the OR. One was a surgical tech, another was a circulating nurse, the charge nurse (at the time) but has gone back to just circulating and the other was and still is the OR nurse manager. For years, all of us would hang out together as well as take short weekend vacations together. In July of 2015, I was promoted to the OR Assistant Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse. This is the point where for myself, certain conflicts began. As the new Assistant Manager, I knew that there were some different aspects involved in my job. One main aspect was making sure that the everyday details of the OR ran
Bedside nursing in its current state is often viewed as a trade rather than a profession. Historically, trades have required associates degrees to enter the field with emphasis placed on job related experience from that point on. Nurses have historically viewed themselves as caregivers rather than professionals while working under direct authority of a practicing physician (Taylor, 2008). Before the advent of the two year junior college program in 1952 nurses were mainly care-givers working from on the job training in a similar way to certified nurse aides today. These nurses would be paid very little and had jobs revolving around cleanliness, bathing, administering basic medications, and duties similar to a maid (Roberts, 1954). After the nursing shortage boom of the late 1940’s a system provides associates degrees in nursing was implemented in 1952 with a focus on moving nursing away from hospital certif...
Nevidjon, B., & Erickson, J. (31 January, 2001). The Nursing Shortage: Solutions for the Short
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
The shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in the United States has been a cyclical topic dating back to the 1960s. Only recently have employers in certain regions of the nation stated a decline in the demand for RNs. Consequently, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2014) report on 2012-2013 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, American nursing schools denied admission to 79,659 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2012. The reported decrease in job availability and rejected admissions has left many individuals to question if the nursing shortage still exists. On the other hand, some experts project that the United States will be short more than one million RNs by 2020 (Dolan, 2011). Although some parts of the country are in less of a demand than others, it is undeniable that there is a national shortage of RNs.
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)
Nurses have always been an undervalued asset to the health care industry; however, there is always a great need for them. With more uninsured Americans requiring safe, affordable medical care, the pressing issue of nursing education is not a priority (Aiken, 2011). Recently, there have been modifications taken place toward the current nursing shortage, the decrease of nursing graduates, a workforce that is becoming older, and other factors that influence nurse educator shortage (Baker, Fitzpatrick, & Griffin, 2011). Nurse educators are required to advise students, complete research, and perform committee work all while teaching (Baker, Fitzpatrick, & Griffin, 2011). They also have multiple jobs outside of practicing nursing and teaching. Nurse educators have stressful roles that hold many expectations, yet there is no independence in making their own decisions concerning things. Aiken (2011) suggests that the best way to begin combatting this shortage should include increasing the number of nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from 50% to 80% by 2020 (p. 196). Forty-eight percent of nurse instructors are expected to be aged 55 and older and are predicted to retire by this time. (Baker, Fitzpatrick, & Griffin, 2011).
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.
After deciding you want to become a registered nurse, you can then pick the college you want to attend. An associate degree is usually earned at a community college. A community college does not offer four-year programs; so if someone wants to get their BSN they would have to attend a university to do so. When deciding to get your bachelor degree or associates, most people go with the associates in nursing; mainly because it is cheaper to take classes at a community college. Not only is attending a community college less expensive than a university, going for your ADN is also faster. Another reason people might pick a community college over a university is because you have to get accepted into a university; where
There has been a drastic cut in both the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates. According to Robert (2012), “cuts of more than $360 billion to Medicare and Medicaid will be made over the next 10 years. The focus of nursing needs to emphasize more on wellness care and prevention rather than acute care” (McNeal, G., 2012). Nursing practice will need to shift more towards community and population focused nursing. Baccalaureate prepared nurses are provided with a curriculum that includes both community health and leadership skills that are not included in the associate program. By encouraging associate’s degree nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an increase in the awareness of the needs of the community and population may be seen. The IOM report has outlined the anticipated obstacles that healthcare will face if changes are not made. By allowing nurses to provide care within their full scope of practice, quality care may be provided at an affordable cost to the population. The use of advanced practice nurses in primary care may provide quality, access, and cost efficient healthcare to high-risk populations and possibly decrease hospital admission rates, thus lowering the overall cost of healthcare. If nurses partner with doctors and other healthcare providers, it may improve healthcare by providing seamless transitions (Institute of Medicine,