Rn vs Bsn
Competency Differences Between RNs Prepared at ADN Versus BSN Level
Grand Canyon: Professional Dynamics NRS-430V January 4, 2013
Competency Differences Between RNs Prepared at ADN Versus BSN Level
Nursing education in the United States offers many levels of competency falling under the licensed title of registered nurse (RN). These levels offered in a continuum, begin with nursing as a vocation in the form of licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) followed by an associate degree (ADN), baccalaureate of science degree (BSN), masters of science degree (MSN) and doctorate. All have curriculums that build upon the previous designation in hopes of creating a highly sophisticated nursing profession geared toward handling an evolving healthcare system of diverse populations, technical advances and outcomes. This paper will focus on comparing the competencies between the ADN versus BSN education in order to highlight the need to pursue a BSN level of education.
Research conducted by Poster et al. (2005) notes differing curriculum for each type of nursing program produces a difference in entry-level postgraduate competencies within clinical behavior, judgments and knowledge base. These differences according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2005) are largely in the “research, theory, public and community health, management, and humanities (AACN, 2005). The associate degree education was a response to nursing shortages and provided an affordable, rapid educational choice to motivated individuals who wanted to enter the medical field. The education is provided at a community college covering the sciences, pharmacology and clinical skills. The two-year nature of the program doesn’t provide the time or development for critical thinking skills in addition to research, theory, public health, management and leadership that are offered in a baccalaureate education. The BSN education is offered
Grand Canyon: Professional Dynamics NRS-430V January 4, 2013
Competency Differences Between RNs Prepared at ADN Versus BSN Level
Nursing education in the United States offers many levels of competency falling under the licensed title of registered nurse (RN). These levels offered in a continuum, begin with nursing as a vocation in the form of licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) followed by an associate degree (ADN), baccalaureate of science degree (BSN), masters of science degree (MSN) and doctorate. All have curriculums that build upon the previous designation in hopes of creating a highly sophisticated nursing profession geared toward handling an evolving healthcare system of diverse populations, technical advances and outcomes. This paper will focus on comparing the competencies between the ADN versus BSN education in order to highlight the need to pursue a BSN level of education.
Research conducted by Poster et al. (2005) notes differing curriculum for each type of nursing program produces a difference in entry-level postgraduate competencies within clinical behavior, judgments and knowledge base. These differences according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2005) are largely in the “research, theory, public and community health, management, and humanities (AACN, 2005). The associate degree education was a response to nursing shortages and provided an affordable, rapid educational choice to motivated individuals who wanted to enter the medical field. The education is provided at a community college covering the sciences, pharmacology and clinical skills. The two-year nature of the program doesn’t provide the time or development for critical thinking skills in addition to research, theory, public health, management and leadership that are offered in a baccalaureate education. The BSN education is offered
References: Aiken LH, Clarke SP, Cheung RB, Sloane DM, Silber JH. Educational Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality. JAMA. 2003;290(12):1617-1623. doi:10.1001/jama.290.12.1617. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2005) The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/EdImpact.pdf Grand Canyon University College of Nursing Philosophy [ para 7]. Retrieved from http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing-and-Health-Care-Professions/Philosophy.php