Adn vs Bsn Competencies Essay Example
Differences in Competencies: Who Makes a Better Nurse? Michelle Phoebe Baltazar
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430
July 18, 2012
Abstract
In this essay the differences between an Associate prepared nurse versus Bachelor prepared nurse is discussed in correlation to critical thinking, professionalism, and leadership.
Differences in Competencies: Who Makes a Better Nurse? Who makes a better nurse? A nurse with an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree? The answer would probably depend on who one asks. However, according to American Association of College of Nursing (2012), “education enhances both clinical competency and care delivery” (pg.1). In this discussion, nurses prepared in baccalaureate-degree level compared to associate-degree level are found to be more competent in three major aspects of nursing: critical thinking skills, professionalism, and leadership.
Critical Thinking Critical thinking is an important skill a good nurse must possess. This separates the task oriented nurse from the nurse who practice nursing using professional autonomy based on knowledge. In a study lead by Dr. Linda Aiken, findings confirmed that there is a strong link between RN education level and patient outcomes and that for every 10% increase in the proportion of BSN nurses on the hospital staff there was an association with a 4% decrease in the risk of death (American Association of College of Nursing, 2012, pg.2). Strong nurses must use critical thinking skills to foresee and anticipate a patient trending down and the actions needed to be done to save a patient’s life to have a positive outcome for that patient. “Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels” (American Association of College of Nursing, 2012, pg.1). Professionalism “Professionalization is the process through which an occupation achieves
Grand Canyon University: NRS-430
July 18, 2012
Abstract
In this essay the differences between an Associate prepared nurse versus Bachelor prepared nurse is discussed in correlation to critical thinking, professionalism, and leadership.
Differences in Competencies: Who Makes a Better Nurse? Who makes a better nurse? A nurse with an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree? The answer would probably depend on who one asks. However, according to American Association of College of Nursing (2012), “education enhances both clinical competency and care delivery” (pg.1). In this discussion, nurses prepared in baccalaureate-degree level compared to associate-degree level are found to be more competent in three major aspects of nursing: critical thinking skills, professionalism, and leadership.
Critical Thinking Critical thinking is an important skill a good nurse must possess. This separates the task oriented nurse from the nurse who practice nursing using professional autonomy based on knowledge. In a study lead by Dr. Linda Aiken, findings confirmed that there is a strong link between RN education level and patient outcomes and that for every 10% increase in the proportion of BSN nurses on the hospital staff there was an association with a 4% decrease in the risk of death (American Association of College of Nursing, 2012, pg.2). Strong nurses must use critical thinking skills to foresee and anticipate a patient trending down and the actions needed to be done to save a patient’s life to have a positive outcome for that patient. “Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels” (American Association of College of Nursing, 2012, pg.1). Professionalism “Professionalization is the process through which an occupation achieves