The Difference in competencies between Nurses prepared at the Associate Degree level versus the Baccalaureate Degree level. Name: Joy John-Dataset Grand Canyon University, Phoenix Arizona: MRS.-IV-0500 March 22, 2015 Introduction: Recent studies has shown that Nursing Education, and quality care is structured on securing a well-educated workforce based on the challenges and dynamics of today’s healthcare system.
According the (CAN) Facts sheets: It approaches today’s Nursing workforce with researches, relating education to outcomes, and also outline the capacity and preparedness f four year college, as means of improving the level of education in the United States. On this note, the definition of Associate Degree and Baccalaureate Degree are stated below: Associate Degree Nursing: This is a Nursing Degree which duration is typically 2-areas for completion It is usually awarded by community colleges or some nursing schools.
Students with an Associate Degree can sit for UNCLE-RAN for license as Registered Nurse. The Associate Degree Nursing was founded by Dry. Mildred Montage in 1951, in order to alleviate the shortages of Nurses after the world war, by decreasing the length of education to areas, and also providing a good education for Nurses. According to Creaser & Fibber (2011). This program was deemed successful because of the Associate Degree Graduates were able to pass UNCLE, and showed sufficient level of clinical nursing competence, and they were employed as graduate nurses.
Baccalaureate Degree Nursing: This is an academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by an accredited tertiary institution. The BBS is usually 4 to areas duration, which entails areas of general education and areas of core urging courses, which prepares nurses for wide variety of experience and enhances professional roles and graduate studies. Graduates of this program are qualified to take the UNCLE and become RAN.
Creaser & Fibber( 2011), Baccalaureate Nursing was formed in 1946, when congress passed a GIG Bill of rights, that introduced Veterans to acquire vocational training and college education. This increased the enrolment because Nurses in the Military took advantage of it to earn their degree in Nursing Education, and it also gave birth to the Collegiate Nursing programs. Competencies of the Associate Degree Nursing: This is typically two to three years of Nursing education, which is mainly exposed to clinical settings, disease conditions and bedside nursing, with little or no research done.
This affects the healthcare system in today’s practice because the trend is fast changing. Nurses are expected to ensure holistic patient care, and involvement in thorough research is important towards meeting the new standards of the healthcare system. More so, the DAN Nurses will not be able to compete fluently with other refashions in the healthcare system, based on the level of education without a collegiate degree curriculum. Recent studies has shown that most hospitals expecting a magnet status, are downsizing on the recruitment of DAN Nurses.
However, Diploma and DAN was formally what the society needed from nurses to be able to deliver bedside nursing with minimal cost. Although mortality rate was higher than what it is presently. Competencies of the Baccalaureate Degree Nursing: A Baccalaureate Degree Nurse is exposed to a longer period of education, with in-depth knowledge of Nursing curriculum. BBS entails more advanced nursing courses on leadership, Nurse management, administration, Humanities and extensive patient care.
Furthermore it approaches topics on education in community health, socio-cultural, economical, psychological and spiritual aspects of nursing. BBS Nurses can function effectively as administrative Nurses as well as bedside Nursing. They can present themselves more professionally, among other inter-disciplinary healthcare team, which comprises of Doctors, Pharmacists, Nutritionist, Physiotherapist etc. They can represent or advocate for their patients in various levels. They are trained to conduct research that improves the quality of care rendered to their patients.
It is also evidenced that BBS graduates bring more unique skills to their work and play vital role in safe patient care, earn more respect and recognition from both the public and other healthcare professionals. This is because of the wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of nursing education acquired during the baccalaureate degree study. Patient care Situation based on decision making of educational preparation of Nursing: (Baccalaureate Degree Nursing versus Associate Degree Nursing):
An example is the End of life care (palliative-care), In most cases, these patients are unable to communicate their needs, which can make them withdrawn and refuse medication or food. In this case, An DAN nurse will go ahead to document patient refusal of food/medicine without proper assessment or understand what the problem might be. This is because they are mainly trained for giving medication, feeding the patients, checking vital signs etc. (bedside nursing). It is based on their educational background, and the strictness to clinical aspect of nursing without reparation for graduate studies.
Thus, limiting their skills to hands on patient care. In this case, A BBS nurse based on educational exposure, will recognize the cultural, psychological and spiritual significance in a dying patient, thereby advocating for the patient by involving the families to help in understanding the beliefs and spirituality of the patient. A BBS nurse will know when to talk, be silent, listen and show empathy. This will help the patient recuperate emotionally, physically and psychological . It will also foster better relationship and trust between patients, family ND caregiver.
