Degree Proficiency Essay

Total Length: 818 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 3

Nursing Education

Education is an important quality that can be very beneficial to any given profession. The specialization of education in today's world serves purposes and offers new challenges. This is most evident when comparing the differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level (AND)versus the baccalaureate degree level (BSN). The purpose of this essay is to describe these differences and compare their varying tendencies and qualities. Additionally, this essay will address a patient care situation that highlights how nursing care may differ upon the educational level of the nursing professional.

ADN

The associates degree earned in a nursing education allows that individual to contribute to the medical profession and minimize the educational requirements to do so. While some may consider this a short cut and not going the full distance, there are good reasons that these programs are offered and thousands of people participate in them.

There are many good reasons associate degree nursing education programs have flourished in the past years. The educational system itself has evolved where junior colleges are largely attended throughout the nation. This social evolution coupled with the high demand of health care workers due to demographic issues surrounding the baby boom generation has created a useful environment where the nursing profession could expand and be more impactful in the medical world.


The federal government has used its political power to create this environment where ADN has become so necessary. Mahaffey (2002) suggested this power was instrumental in building the foundation of nursing education today. She wrote "numerous characteristics of associate degree nursing programs attract prospective students: lower tuition rates, geographic locations, completion time, reputation of graduates, dynamic curricula, and effective faculties."

BSN

While achieving an ADN is quite an important accomplishment and necessary for the medical community to operate successfully, there is still a need to have more educated and trained professionals within this group. Earning a BSN demonstrates a more intellectual approach to the nursing profession, and the curriculum within these programs are much more research based. Clinical skills are also taught at a more advanced level and in many cases with more formality.

The past few decades have demonstrated that the level of education does in fact make a difference in several areas of the nursing profession. The levels of depth that are offered at the baccalaureate nursing programs include a wider array of subjects in the areas of nursing leadership, public health and the natural sciences. The….....

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