After passing the NCLEX, newly registered nurses from associate, baccalaureate, and diploma programs are able to search for jobs. As of 2010, 66 percent of nurses were educated at the associate level, while 34 percent achieved a baccalaureate degree (Sarver, 2015, p.153). Though more students complete associate programs, their education does not provide them with the advanced knowledge and skills needed for excellent patient care. Current research has shown that nurses prepared by baccalaureate programs possess better patient outcomes. The American Organization of Nurse Executives urges that more registered nurses complete a baccalaureate degree in order to “create a more highly educated nursing workforce in the interest of improving patient
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These nurses also go to school longer, complete more research, and study more complex topics. Baccalaureate classes include lessons to help students become leaders with strong management skills. Their advanced knowledge on health issues helps them educate their patients through all domains. They are able to see the bigger picture and put all the pieces together from admission to discharge to make informed decisions on how the patient’s care should progress throughout the hospital stay. For example, an associate degree nurse may have a patient that becomes increasingly more confused with trouble swallowing and dysarthria in the hospital setting. The associate educated nurse may first think to check a blood sugar, but when it comes back normal she may not think the patient’s new symptoms could be from a stroke. The patient could get a CT of the head, but if it comes back unremarkable the nurse may think that is all the testing needed. Though, an MRI would be the definitive test to tell if the stroke was ischemic. Many specific protocols exist for a newly diagnosed stroke patient that need to be followed for their safety. The patient needs to be NPO until the speech therapist sees them. The nurse may not know that only aspirin can be given crushed in applesauce until this assessment occurs. Identifying subtle symptoms and seeing the whole picture comes with more knowledge and education. Numerous positive patient outcomes occur when nurses are trained through a baccalaureate program. Many research studies prove the benefits, while a variety of programs exist today for nurses to choose which one best fits their needs. Even though going back to school may be hard, the advanced care, critical thinking, safety and education the patients are provided is worth
These nurses also go to school longer, complete more research, and study more complex topics. Baccalaureate classes include lessons to help students become leaders with strong management skills. Their advanced knowledge on health issues helps them educate their patients through all domains. They are able to see the bigger picture and put all the pieces together from admission to discharge to make informed decisions on how the patient’s care should progress throughout the hospital stay. For example, an associate degree nurse may have a patient that becomes increasingly more confused with trouble swallowing and dysarthria in the hospital setting. The associate educated nurse may first think to check a blood sugar, but when it comes back normal she may not think the patient’s new symptoms could be from a stroke. The patient could get a CT of the head, but if it comes back unremarkable the nurse may think that is all the testing needed. Though, an MRI would be the definitive test to tell if the stroke was ischemic. Many specific protocols exist for a newly diagnosed stroke patient that need to be followed for their safety. The patient needs to be NPO until the speech therapist sees them. The nurse may not know that only aspirin can be given crushed in applesauce until this assessment occurs. Identifying subtle symptoms and seeing the whole picture comes with more knowledge and education. Numerous positive patient outcomes occur when nurses are trained through a baccalaureate program. Many research studies prove the benefits, while a variety of programs exist today for nurses to choose which one best fits their needs. Even though going back to school may be hard, the advanced care, critical thinking, safety and education the patients are provided is worth