Differences in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-degree level versus the Baccalaureate-degree level

Differences in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-degree level versus the Baccalaureate-degree level

Introduction

Nursing is a profession, which has evolved with the passage of time and has made its place as a renowned working profession. In the US, nursing profession has advanced in the discipline of education as well as practice. There are two prominent degree programs in the field of nursing including BSN and ADN, which prepare a nurse to skillfully manage clinical treatments, medication and take morally accurate decision making.

The paper focuses on the level of competencies, which a person may acquire from each of these degree programs, and the extent to which these programs offer distinguished skills to earn a registered nursing diploma. The paper compares the two degree programs in nursing by elaborating a patient care situation and the role played by the practitioners of the two degree holders.

Discussion

Nursing is a profession, which is closely associated with the world of humanity, where it can be found in one form or another. It is a profession that has transformed from a home clinic to highly equipped medical institutions such as hospitals and nursing care homes, where professionally trained practitioners are available to serve people, who are fighting with chronic. According to Rosseter (2012), presence of a well educated working force may ensure quality care of patients. In the US, this profession is highly admired by youngsters and according to the estimates of National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (2008), with more than 3 million registered nurses nursing has become the largest healthcare profession of the nation.

Among this RN workforce, 13.9% are the holder of associate degree in nursing while 50% of this workforce has earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing (Rosseter, 2012). However, the two ...