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Higher Education Equals Better Outcomes

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Higher Education Equals Better Outcomes
Higher education equals better outcomes, ADN vs BSN in the nursing workforce
Sean McNamara
Grand Canyon University
Professional Dynamics
NRS-430v
Tricia Aud
July 31, 2013

Higher education equals better outcomes, ADN vs BSN in the nursing workforce

The ADN vs BSN subject has typically been discussed and debated thru out work places, class rooms, and even the dinner table but the facts through statistical research prove that more education provides better, safer care and will lead to better patient outcomes. BSN nurses have a broader knowledge base. This not only lends to the increase in critical thinking with a stronger foundation of personal information but also leads to the development of a more confident nurse that can apply the information in a timely concise fashion.
Both ADN and BSN nurses take the same NCLEX exam. This is the basic technical requirement of knowledge needed for entry level caregiving in the field of nursing. After that both degrees need a period of orientation and mentoring for a period of time dependent on each individual to acquire a rudimentary level of skill before being able to care for patients on their own. Studies have shown this is when BSN nursing degrees demonstrates the reasoning for further education. “A Bachelors of Nursing allows for focus on critical thinking in a manner that an ADN cannot because the focus of an ADN is primarily pathophysiology and its application to everyday nursing” (Orsolini-Hain & Waters, 2009). Research in the field has lead to establishing that BSN prepared RNs are better qualified in critical thinking and providing more thoughtful care. In this research it was found that for every 10 percent increase in the number of BSN-prepared nurses there was a corresponding 5 percent decrease in the mortality of surgical patients in Pennsylvania hospitals of various characteristics. As superb as these graduates are, research suggests additional education makes a difference in the skill and



References: Aiken, L. H., Clarke, S. P., Sloane, D. M., & Silber, J. H. (2003). education levels of hospital nurses and patient mortality . journal of american medical association, 12(), . http://dx.doi.org/Retrieved from Boyd, T. (2010). . Retrieved from nurse.com Cresia, J. L., & Friberg, E. (2011). conceptual foundations the bridge to nursing practise (5 ed.). St Louis MO: Mosby. National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice. (1996). report to the secretary of the department of health and human services on the basic registered nurse workforce. . Orsolini-Hain, L., & Waters, V. (2009). Education evolution:historical perspective of associate degree nursing ( ed.). : . []. http://dx.doi.org/. Retrieved from ROSSETER, R. J. (2012). creating amore highly qualified nursing workforce. Retrieved from www.aacn.nche.edu US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Service Administration. (2010). The Registered Nurse Population. Retrieved from

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