BSN vs. ADN in Nursing
BSN vs. ADN in Nursing
Grand Canyon University
NRS-430V
November 1, 2013
BSN vs. ADN in Nursing Through my research for this paper I have found that RNs who have an associate degree or diploma are more likely to make errors during clinical practice. Nurses who hold Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees have a stronger foundation in which to build better communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem solving skills. The high demands placed on today's nurses really challenge all of these skills on a daily basis. Nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees have a better understanding of the importance to be proficient in these skills. In a study of RN-to-BSN degree graduates from 1995 to 1998 (Phillips, Palmer, Zimmerman, & Mayfield, 2002), these students demonstrated higher competency in nursing practice, communication, leadership, professional integration, and research/evaluation. The added classes enhances the student’s view for a wide scope of practice which will aid the nurse in comprehending the many issues that plague patients and impact health care. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can help a nurse be more confident in his/her ability no matter the patient care setting. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that the ADN and BSN nurses are not different in skill competency when they graduate, but over time, the BSN nurses show greater critical thinking skills, better problem solving, and the development of clinical judgment. For many years, studies have shown through nursing research that education can and does make a difference in clinical practice. Nurses who obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree have better patient outcomes such as lower mortality. In a 2005 issue of Nursing Research, the University of Alberta found that Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree nurses have a definitive influence on mortality rates. (Eastabrooks, Midodzo, Cummings, Ricker, & Giovanetti, 2005) At
Grand Canyon University
NRS-430V
November 1, 2013
BSN vs. ADN in Nursing Through my research for this paper I have found that RNs who have an associate degree or diploma are more likely to make errors during clinical practice. Nurses who hold Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees have a stronger foundation in which to build better communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem solving skills. The high demands placed on today's nurses really challenge all of these skills on a daily basis. Nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees have a better understanding of the importance to be proficient in these skills. In a study of RN-to-BSN degree graduates from 1995 to 1998 (Phillips, Palmer, Zimmerman, & Mayfield, 2002), these students demonstrated higher competency in nursing practice, communication, leadership, professional integration, and research/evaluation. The added classes enhances the student’s view for a wide scope of practice which will aid the nurse in comprehending the many issues that plague patients and impact health care. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can help a nurse be more confident in his/her ability no matter the patient care setting. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that the ADN and BSN nurses are not different in skill competency when they graduate, but over time, the BSN nurses show greater critical thinking skills, better problem solving, and the development of clinical judgment. For many years, studies have shown through nursing research that education can and does make a difference in clinical practice. Nurses who obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree have better patient outcomes such as lower mortality. In a 2005 issue of Nursing Research, the University of Alberta found that Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree nurses have a definitive influence on mortality rates. (Eastabrooks, Midodzo, Cummings, Ricker, & Giovanetti, 2005) At
References: Aiken, L. H., Clark, S. P., Cheung, R. B., Sloan, D. M., & Silber, J. H. (2003). Education levels of hospital nurses and surgical patient mortality. Journal of the American Medical Association, 290, 1617-1623. Retrieved from http://www.massnursing.org/MACN_July05.pdf Eastabrooks, C. A., Midodzo, W. K., Cummings, G. C., Ricker, K. L., & Giovanetti, P. (2005, March/April). The impact of hospital nursing characteristics on 30-day mortality. Nursing Research, 54(2), 72-84. http://dx.doi.org/http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/NursingWorkforce.pdf Giger, J. N., & Davidhizar, R. E. (1990). Conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care: associate versus baccalaureate degree prepared nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 15(9), 1009-1015. Retrieved from http://www.massnursing.org/MACN_July05.pdf Phillips, C. Y., Palmer, C. V., Zimmerman, B. J., & Mayfield, M. (2002). Professional Development: assuring growth of RN-to-BSN students. Journal of Nursing Education, 41(6), 282-283. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/EdImpact.pdf The Future of Nursng: Leading Change, Advancing Health. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/government-affairs/IOMFactSheet.pdf