Differences in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Associate Degree Level versus the Baccalaureate Degree Levels In Nursing The nursing profession has evolved over the years to be a highly respected career for men and women. There are many different areas of nursing that one could consider based on the desired level of professionalism and/or expertise.
The nursing profession Includes certified nursing attendants, licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses. Acculturate level nurses, mastered level nurses, and even doctorate level nurses. Nurses of all levels can specialize in a certain area of their choice. In this paper, will review the difference in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate degree level versus the baccalaureate degree level.
Requirements for all Levels of Nursing Regardless of which educational level that a nurse desires, he or she must complete the state licenser board exam. The exam is either pass or fail and is designed to prove that the nurses are equally prepared to practice as a registered nurse. A nurse should have a desire to care for the ill with compassion. Nurses at either level should have a desire to improve patient outcomes and to improve the quality of patient care.
The level of educational preparedness differs between the associate degree level and the baccalaureate degree level. Associate Degree Level Nursing Competencies The associate degree is usually obtained from a community college or a hospital based nursing school. It is usually obtained within 2-3 years. According to Creditors college In Norwalk, CA, “the DAN graduate utilizes critical thinking and demonstrates alnico competence and accountability as an adaptable generalist who is committed to caring for others and valuing the profession of nursing. The National League of Nursing says that the competencies for an associate degree level nurse are nursing judgment, professional identity, spirit of inquiry, and human nourishing. Baccalaureate Degree Level Competencies According to the Grand Canyon University College of Nursing Philosophy, baccalaureate level nurses focus on critical thinking, communicating, providing care, teaching, and learning. There should be a caring professional approach with autonomy and a focus on human dignity. Most Importantly. He baccalaureate level nurse uses a holistic approach of caring to focus on the mind, body, spirit, and soul. Baccalaureate level nurses use evidenced based practice, critical thinking and reasoning to address situations, care for patients from a diverse population, and focus on high quality of care in a cost effective manner. (CAN 2008). BBS level nurses use nursing concepts and theories. The conceptual theory focus toward patients is based on “how nurses think not what they UDF’. Nurses at this level are Off less task relented Ana more outcomes roller.
Patient care Solution Based on Educational Preparation As a director of a hospice program I see the difference within my own staff between an associate degree level nurse and a baccalaureate nurse. I manage a team of fifteen nurses, only one of which is a BBS. The quality of work, preparation for team meeting, problem solving abilities, receiving constructive criticism, and overall knowledge of the patient/family is better. The baccalaureate level nurse is able to manage the case with autonomy.
She uses critical thinking and problem solving rather that reactive decision making. Interdisciplinary team meetings are crucial to the management of care for a hospice client. The BBS comes prepared and offers suggestions to the doctor rather than waiting for an answer. The main difference that I see between the two level is proactive rather that reactive. While there are differences in the educational level, I believe it is important to remember that being a nurse at any level requires compassion and a holistic approach.
We are all licensed ender the same standard and deemed qualified to practice as a registered nurse. Based on the Fact Sheet: Creating a More Qualified Nursing Workforce, multiple studies concluded that there is a direct link to lower mortality rates when nurses are prepared at a higher level of education. In latest two of the studies found that for each 10% increase in the proportion of BBS nurses there was a 4-5% decrease in the risk of patient deaths. Expanding your educational level insures better quality care and more focus on evidenced based improved patient outcomes.
References The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. (October 2008). American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Creditors College, Competencies Expected for the Associate Degree Nurse. Retrieved from www. Creditors. Deed National League of Nursing, Faculty Programs and Resources (2011). The Voice for Nursing Education. Retrieved from http://www. Nil. Org/facilitators/ Competencies/index. HTML. American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Fact Sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. (October 2012) 2
