Asn vs Bsn Nursing
Associate-Degree Level vs Baccalaureate-Degree Level in Nursing: The Differences in Competencies
Megan Hatzidakis
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V Professional Dynamics
January 24, 2013
The first step in becoming an RN is to attend a college degree program that has been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In the United States, upon graduating from an accredited nursing program, nursing school graduates are allowed to practice as Registered Nurses after passing the National Council Licensure Examination, most commonly known as the NCLEX. The NCLEX passing standards represents “minimum assessed competency for safe and effective entry level practice” (Brown, Wend, Halsey & Farwell, 2012). However, a general high level of safety is expected across all levels of nursing practice. Controversy amongst the nursing profession has been developing for well over 10 years in regards to which nursing education should be the acceptable minimum standard preparation for an entry level position in nursing practice. The nursing educations that will be discussed are the associate-degree nursing education (ASN) and the baccalaureate-degree nursing education (BSN). A competency is described as “an expected level of performance that integrates knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment” (American Nurses Association, 2008). To understand the differences in competencies between the two levels in nursing, the educational requirements for the two will need to be explored. The ASN is offered by community and junior colleges and usually takes about two to three years to complete. The associate curriculum focuses on the technical aspects of nursing allowing for the ASN nurse to provide direct, hands-on patient care in a structured health care setting, such as hospitals, clinics and private practice. Some argue that the nurse with the ASN level is task oriented, has only developed
Megan Hatzidakis
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V Professional Dynamics
January 24, 2013
The first step in becoming an RN is to attend a college degree program that has been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In the United States, upon graduating from an accredited nursing program, nursing school graduates are allowed to practice as Registered Nurses after passing the National Council Licensure Examination, most commonly known as the NCLEX. The NCLEX passing standards represents “minimum assessed competency for safe and effective entry level practice” (Brown, Wend, Halsey & Farwell, 2012). However, a general high level of safety is expected across all levels of nursing practice. Controversy amongst the nursing profession has been developing for well over 10 years in regards to which nursing education should be the acceptable minimum standard preparation for an entry level position in nursing practice. The nursing educations that will be discussed are the associate-degree nursing education (ASN) and the baccalaureate-degree nursing education (BSN). A competency is described as “an expected level of performance that integrates knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment” (American Nurses Association, 2008). To understand the differences in competencies between the two levels in nursing, the educational requirements for the two will need to be explored. The ASN is offered by community and junior colleges and usually takes about two to three years to complete. The associate curriculum focuses on the technical aspects of nursing allowing for the ASN nurse to provide direct, hands-on patient care in a structured health care setting, such as hospitals, clinics and private practice. Some argue that the nurse with the ASN level is task oriented, has only developed