BSN vs. ADN
Baccalaureate Nurses vs. Associate Nurses
October 20, 2013
Baccalaureate Nurses vs. Associate Nurses
Is having a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) better than an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)? Why should nurses get a BSN? Many nurses ask themselves these questions. Hospitals are pushing for nurses to advance their education. If there is an ADN nurse and BSN nurse applying for the same position most likely the BSN nurse will receive the job before the ADN nurse because “ the additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery” ("American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” p.1).
Different Education Routes for Nurses
Diploma graduates, Associate graduates, and Baccalaureate graduates are the three education routes for licensures of Nurses. Even though all three programs sit for the same National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), this exam verifies only “minimal competency to provide safe, basic care” (Haverkamp & Ball, 2013, p. 144).
ADN vs. BSN Competencies
Many say that Associate nurses are trained strictly on clinical skills, whereas Baccalaureate programs “emphasize evidence-based clinical practice and leadership through course work that includes research, statistics, population-based care, nursing management, and the humanities” (Haverkamp & Ball, 2013, p. 144). This meaning that, Baccalaureate nurses receive training that allows them to look at the whole picture, like why and how things happen and what they can do to prevent them. Associate nurses as a Member of the Health Care Team, “refer patients and their families to resources that facilitate continuity of care; health promotion, maintenance, and restoration; and ensure confidentiality” (Texas Board of
October 20, 2013
Baccalaureate Nurses vs. Associate Nurses
Is having a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) better than an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)? Why should nurses get a BSN? Many nurses ask themselves these questions. Hospitals are pushing for nurses to advance their education. If there is an ADN nurse and BSN nurse applying for the same position most likely the BSN nurse will receive the job before the ADN nurse because “ the additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery” ("American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” p.1).
Different Education Routes for Nurses
Diploma graduates, Associate graduates, and Baccalaureate graduates are the three education routes for licensures of Nurses. Even though all three programs sit for the same National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), this exam verifies only “minimal competency to provide safe, basic care” (Haverkamp & Ball, 2013, p. 144).
ADN vs. BSN Competencies
Many say that Associate nurses are trained strictly on clinical skills, whereas Baccalaureate programs “emphasize evidence-based clinical practice and leadership through course work that includes research, statistics, population-based care, nursing management, and the humanities” (Haverkamp & Ball, 2013, p. 144). This meaning that, Baccalaureate nurses receive training that allows them to look at the whole picture, like why and how things happen and what they can do to prevent them. Associate nurses as a Member of the Health Care Team, “refer patients and their families to resources that facilitate continuity of care; health promotion, maintenance, and restoration; and ensure confidentiality” (Texas Board of
References: American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/impact-of-education Haverkamp, J. J., & Ball, K. (2013, August). BSN 10: What is Your Opinion? AORN Journal, 98(2), 144-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2013.06.006 Texas Board of Nursing. (December 2011). Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs. Retrieved from http://www.bon.texas.gov/about/pdfs/delc-2010.pdf