Education Preparation In Nursing
Education Preparation Paper
Osaginwen K. Ayiyi
Grand Canyon University: NRS 430v
November 24, 2013
Education Preparation Paper There has always been an on going debate in health care, as to where the entry into nursing should be, this debate continues to divide the field of nursing and has prevented nurses from becoming a more dynamic and united profession (Spencer, 2008). The argument that more education translates into better performance is constantly debated. Because there are many points of entry into nursing, studies have been conducted between Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared nurses and Associated Degree in Nursing (ADN) prepared nurses. These comparative studies have shown patient outcomes are …show more content…
better and patient mortality decreases when care is given by a BSN prepared nurse (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009). The goal of this paper is to illustrate the differences between the preparation, professionalism and ability of a BSN prepared nurse compared to an ADN prepared nurse. Patient outcomes and preferences in the workplace by employers will also be explored. Finally, a conclusion will be reached that will highlight where the entry level into nursing should be. This conclusion will be based on the safety of the patient and long-term goals of the profession.
Differences in Competencies In all areas of nursing different levels of professionalism can be seen, all nurses are educated on the need to be professional. The different levels of professional behavioral in nursing cannot be tied to whether a nurse is BSN prepared or ADN prepared; however, studies have shown that differences in patient care can be tied to the level of education a nurse receives (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009).
The BSN prepared nurse is typically more knowledgeable and trained to take a more holistic approach when providing nursing care (Swearingen, Clarke, Gatua, & Summer, 2013).
This added knowledge and holistic approach results in patient care that on the surface may appear to be the same, but is not the always equal. The BSN prepared nurse has proven time and time again to provide better outcomes and decrease mortality rates in all patient care settings. Since most studies show that the BSN prepared nurse provides better care, healthcare might benefit from the eradication of the ADN prepared nurse. This issue continues to divide the profession of nursing and the debate does not seem to be near its end (Spencer, 2008). The challenge will be looking at both types of nurses and deciding which type of preparation is better, for patient outcomes and the profession as a whole. (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009).
Associates Degree Nurse As a rule ADN programs provide extensive bedside training, with an emphasis on psychomotor learning and technical skills necessary to carry out basic nursing task. The value of substantial clinical experience is never forgotten in most ADN programs (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009). Many studies have shown that ADN prepared nurses have excellent clinical skills while lacking some of the holistic benefits obtained in the BSN program. There has never been a debate that ADN prepared nurses are not safe in the workplace.
Bachelors Prepared Nurse The BSN prepared nurse is provided with similar clinical exposure as the ADN prepared nurse; however, most BSN programs emphasize liberal education that takes its origin from the humanities and arts. The BSN nurse is also exposed to philosophical and theoretical nursing approaches that include basic to complex nursing skills (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009). The BSN prepared nurse is expected to be able to think from a more holistic point at the time of entry into practice.
Patient Care Scenario A female patient comes into the emergency department (ED); she has her five children with her that range in age from two to nine. As the nurse begins to assess the patient her chief complaint is lower back pain, the pain has been lingering for the past two days and this morning at two am she can no longer take the pain and comes into the ED. The patient is diagnosed by the physician and treated for a muscle strain, upon re-assessing the patient the nurse finds her symptoms have improved and she is much more comfortable. The nurse informs the physician that the patient is feeling better, and after receiving the order, discharges the patient home with medication for pain and inflammation. This case scenario occurs daily throughout our healthcare systems with many similar outcomes, the question is whether or not this patient could have other underlying issues our reasons why she came into the ED and whether these issues can be detected based on the level of educational preparation of her nurse.
Approach to Care Based on the clinical scenario presented, most researchers would agree that the clinical approach to the care of this patient would be the same from either a BSN or ADN prepared nurse and this maybe true. Studies however have shown that Registered Nurses (RN’s) have described their RN-BSN educational experience as an experience that transformed the way they practiced, increasing not only their critical thinking skills but also their advocacy skills which in turn would benefit the patient (Pennington, Berg, & Jarrett, 2013). This would lead to the assumption that the BSN prepared nurse may have approached the patient not only from a clinical perspective, but also from a holistic approach.
The BSN prepared nurse may have asked why the patient presented to the hospital so late at night with her three children, whether our not she felt safe at home, if she felt threatened by her partner and other questions that may have been important to the patient but not the ADN prepared nurse, who places more emphasis clinical practice.
Conclusion In conclusion, it can be noted that the differences in the professional approach of a BSN prepared nurse compared to an ADN prepared nurse may not exist, the professional approach may be a reflection of the individual personality, upbringing and experiences. Although professional behavior cannot be attributed to the educational exposure of a nurse, the overall approach to patient care and commitment to excellent patient care can be attributed to educational exposure, with BSN prepared nurses outperforming ADN nurses. Therefore the BSN should be the entry level into nursing care, for the safety of healthcare and the progression of nursing. Although coming to this conclusion may seem simple, with recent nursing shortages, adding educational requirements may only be an unreachable goal.
References
Kubsch, S., Hansen, G., & Huyser-Eatwell, V.
(2009). Professional values: The case for RN-BSN completion education. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(8), 375-384. Retrieved from http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2010002613&site=eds-live&scope=site
Pennington, K., Berg, B., & Jarrett, S. (2013). Giving credit where credit is due: The RN-to-BSN block transfer. Nurse Educator, 38(3), 103-105. doi:10.1097/NNE.0b013e31828dc2eb
Spencer, J. (2008). Increasing RN-BSN enrollments: Facilitating articulation through curriculum reform. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(7), 307-313. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/sp-3.10.0b/ovidweb.cgi
Swearingen, C. D., Clarke, P. N., Gatua, M. W., & Sumner, C. C. (2013). Diffusion of a nursing education innovation: Nursing workforce development through promotion of RN/BSN education. Nurse Educator, 38(4), 152-156. doi:10.1097/NNE.0b013e318296dd26
Osa
You have a very strong foundation as you begin your academic writing career. Please be sure that you include all of the edits and comments as you move forward. Again, nice job!
Kind regards
Dr.
M.
Osaginwen K. Ayiyi
Grand Canyon University: NRS 430v
November 24, 2013
Education Preparation Paper There has always been an on going debate in health care, as to where the entry into nursing should be, this debate continues to divide the field of nursing and has prevented nurses from becoming a more dynamic and united profession (Spencer, 2008). The argument that more education translates into better performance is constantly debated. Because there are many points of entry into nursing, studies have been conducted between Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared nurses and Associated Degree in Nursing (ADN) prepared nurses. These comparative studies have shown patient outcomes are …show more content…
better and patient mortality decreases when care is given by a BSN prepared nurse (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009). The goal of this paper is to illustrate the differences between the preparation, professionalism and ability of a BSN prepared nurse compared to an ADN prepared nurse. Patient outcomes and preferences in the workplace by employers will also be explored. Finally, a conclusion will be reached that will highlight where the entry level into nursing should be. This conclusion will be based on the safety of the patient and long-term goals of the profession.
Differences in Competencies In all areas of nursing different levels of professionalism can be seen, all nurses are educated on the need to be professional. The different levels of professional behavioral in nursing cannot be tied to whether a nurse is BSN prepared or ADN prepared; however, studies have shown that differences in patient care can be tied to the level of education a nurse receives (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009).
The BSN prepared nurse is typically more knowledgeable and trained to take a more holistic approach when providing nursing care (Swearingen, Clarke, Gatua, & Summer, 2013).
This added knowledge and holistic approach results in patient care that on the surface may appear to be the same, but is not the always equal. The BSN prepared nurse has proven time and time again to provide better outcomes and decrease mortality rates in all patient care settings. Since most studies show that the BSN prepared nurse provides better care, healthcare might benefit from the eradication of the ADN prepared nurse. This issue continues to divide the profession of nursing and the debate does not seem to be near its end (Spencer, 2008). The challenge will be looking at both types of nurses and deciding which type of preparation is better, for patient outcomes and the profession as a whole. (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009).
Associates Degree Nurse As a rule ADN programs provide extensive bedside training, with an emphasis on psychomotor learning and technical skills necessary to carry out basic nursing task. The value of substantial clinical experience is never forgotten in most ADN programs (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009). Many studies have shown that ADN prepared nurses have excellent clinical skills while lacking some of the holistic benefits obtained in the BSN program. There has never been a debate that ADN prepared nurses are not safe in the workplace.
Bachelors Prepared Nurse The BSN prepared nurse is provided with similar clinical exposure as the ADN prepared nurse; however, most BSN programs emphasize liberal education that takes its origin from the humanities and arts. The BSN nurse is also exposed to philosophical and theoretical nursing approaches that include basic to complex nursing skills (Kubsch, Hansen, & Huyser-Eatwell, 2009). The BSN prepared nurse is expected to be able to think from a more holistic point at the time of entry into practice.
Patient Care Scenario A female patient comes into the emergency department (ED); she has her five children with her that range in age from two to nine. As the nurse begins to assess the patient her chief complaint is lower back pain, the pain has been lingering for the past two days and this morning at two am she can no longer take the pain and comes into the ED. The patient is diagnosed by the physician and treated for a muscle strain, upon re-assessing the patient the nurse finds her symptoms have improved and she is much more comfortable. The nurse informs the physician that the patient is feeling better, and after receiving the order, discharges the patient home with medication for pain and inflammation. This case scenario occurs daily throughout our healthcare systems with many similar outcomes, the question is whether or not this patient could have other underlying issues our reasons why she came into the ED and whether these issues can be detected based on the level of educational preparation of her nurse.
Approach to Care Based on the clinical scenario presented, most researchers would agree that the clinical approach to the care of this patient would be the same from either a BSN or ADN prepared nurse and this maybe true. Studies however have shown that Registered Nurses (RN’s) have described their RN-BSN educational experience as an experience that transformed the way they practiced, increasing not only their critical thinking skills but also their advocacy skills which in turn would benefit the patient (Pennington, Berg, & Jarrett, 2013). This would lead to the assumption that the BSN prepared nurse may have approached the patient not only from a clinical perspective, but also from a holistic approach.
The BSN prepared nurse may have asked why the patient presented to the hospital so late at night with her three children, whether our not she felt safe at home, if she felt threatened by her partner and other questions that may have been important to the patient but not the ADN prepared nurse, who places more emphasis clinical practice.
Conclusion In conclusion, it can be noted that the differences in the professional approach of a BSN prepared nurse compared to an ADN prepared nurse may not exist, the professional approach may be a reflection of the individual personality, upbringing and experiences. Although professional behavior cannot be attributed to the educational exposure of a nurse, the overall approach to patient care and commitment to excellent patient care can be attributed to educational exposure, with BSN prepared nurses outperforming ADN nurses. Therefore the BSN should be the entry level into nursing care, for the safety of healthcare and the progression of nursing. Although coming to this conclusion may seem simple, with recent nursing shortages, adding educational requirements may only be an unreachable goal.
References
Kubsch, S., Hansen, G., & Huyser-Eatwell, V.
(2009). Professional values: The case for RN-BSN completion education. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(8), 375-384. Retrieved from http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2010002613&site=eds-live&scope=site
Pennington, K., Berg, B., & Jarrett, S. (2013). Giving credit where credit is due: The RN-to-BSN block transfer. Nurse Educator, 38(3), 103-105. doi:10.1097/NNE.0b013e31828dc2eb
Spencer, J. (2008). Increasing RN-BSN enrollments: Facilitating articulation through curriculum reform. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(7), 307-313. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/sp-3.10.0b/ovidweb.cgi
Swearingen, C. D., Clarke, P. N., Gatua, M. W., & Sumner, C. C. (2013). Diffusion of a nursing education innovation: Nursing workforce development through promotion of RN/BSN education. Nurse Educator, 38(4), 152-156. doi:10.1097/NNE.0b013e318296dd26
Osa
You have a very strong foundation as you begin your academic writing career. Please be sure that you include all of the edits and comments as you move forward. Again, nice job!
Kind regards
Dr.
M.