ADN vs BSN Essay

Submitted By Arn12
Words: 760
Pages: 4

The educational pathway of becoming a registered nurse is quite variable. Today, there are many bridge programs and non-traditional methods in becoming a registered nurse. Though, the traditional baccalaureate approach is highly recommended by employers, there are still associate degree programs in which one can obtain a nursing degree. Much research and study has been invested into determining which approach enhances nursing and patient outcomes. While studies have shown that associate degree prepared nurses are competent in providing nursing care. Research has also proven that the traditional baccalaureate prepared nurse excels in contributing to evidence-based practice, has improved patient outcomes, and excels in management and leadership roles.
Associate degree nursing programs were established during the 1950’s as a response to World War II and a vast nursing shortage (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). During this time period nurses were traditionally educated at the diploma level, which had an enrollment time of up to three years (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). With a critical shortage of registered nurses, the two years associate Cadet Nurse Corps was founded (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). The associate pathway of educating nurses requires students to take a basic foundation in arts and sciences, while majoring full time in a nursing curriculum.
Baccalaureate nursing programs were first instituted at Yale University in 1924, this was the first nursing program to have it’s own dean, budget, and department (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). Typically, students have to successfully complete two years of arts and sciences before they enroll in two years of nursing curriculum (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). Bachelorette nursing programs provide students with a solid basis of arts and sciences, which enhances their education. The well-rounded approach to educating baccalaureate nurses benefit the nurse and is prevalent in their care.
According to Burke Matacki, associate prepared nurses partake in implementing and evaluating traditional and alternative nursing care measures (2011). The associate registered nurse is competent to intervene and provide nursing care, based on evidenced-based practice. These are the nurses who apply research-based practice into everyday patient care. Where as the baccalaureate prepared nurse is the one who develops such said care measures (Matacki, 2011). The baccalaureate nurse is the one who implements changes in nursing care. BSN nurses understand which areas in nursing need to be altered to better patient outcomes. Evidence based practice research is often conducted by a baccalaureate prepared nurse (Matacki, 2011).
Baccalaureate prepared nurses often understand the larger picture of the health care setting. Much research has been conducted and it has been shown that baccalaureate prepared nurses have better patient outcomes versus associate prepared nurses. The research has proven that mortality rates and medication errors are far fewer in a baccalaureate prepared nurse (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2012). By having a better concept of nursing practice BSN nurses create fewer errors, which in turn has higher and better patient outcomes.
When it comes to leadership and management both nurses have a basic understanding. The associate degree nurse often implements management