Time to Go Back to School
Importance of Higher Education in Nursing’s Future Tollick (2013) stated that, “Based on the research is it evident that the time has come to end this debate. All nurses must attain a BSN as the minimum entry level into nursing practice” (p. 4). Tollick’s (2013) statement seems all well and good, although there are arguments to contradict this. The baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) is well on its way to becoming the new entry level position in nursing as opposed to the associate degree in nursing (ADN). Nursing education has changed drastically over the last 50 years now emphasizing patient safety and evidence-based practice, thus making the patients’ the “critic” on how well nursing education is effective. An …show more content…
4). There has also research conducted by Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN, her associates at the University of Pennsylvania, and another conducted by the University of Toronto has revealed that bachelor’s degree holders of nursing providing patient care reduce patient mortality with an increase in positive patient outcomes more so than ADN holders (Trossman, 2012). Gelinas (1949) wrote, “For many years, nursing has been the best half-educated profession in the world” (p. 47). She represented the nursing education leadership that wanted to change what they believed to be an obsolete model of nursing education (Lewenson, …show more content…
It was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Incorporated (NCSBN); the exam gives nurses who passes the examination permission to practice with a license in the state where they meet the requirements (ncsbn.org). New graduates coming from either an ADN or BSN program have no difficulty passing the NLCEX. ADN holders seem to be passing the NCLEX with the same results as a BSN holder, if not better. What does this mean? That both BSN and ADN holders are both safe to practice nursing and have entry level skills. ADN holders are at a distinct disadvantage as they do not have the extensive leadership, clinical decision making, and community focused courses that come with the BSN degree. As I stated before, the NCLEX is for entry level testing and it is a minimal competency test for nurses looking for a license to practice. The nurse that is more educated (more than an ADN holder) has further critical thinking skills, leadership qualities, and applicable knowledge to use in practice. This is why several organizations and/or hospitals are pushing for the BSN requirement when hiring in the future. The bottom line matters more to hospitals when it translates to improved patient care and increased patient outcomes; if that means making the
Importance of Higher Education in Nursing’s Future Tollick (2013) stated that, “Based on the research is it evident that the time has come to end this debate. All nurses must attain a BSN as the minimum entry level into nursing practice” (p. 4). Tollick’s (2013) statement seems all well and good, although there are arguments to contradict this. The baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) is well on its way to becoming the new entry level position in nursing as opposed to the associate degree in nursing (ADN). Nursing education has changed drastically over the last 50 years now emphasizing patient safety and evidence-based practice, thus making the patients’ the “critic” on how well nursing education is effective. An …show more content…
4). There has also research conducted by Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN, her associates at the University of Pennsylvania, and another conducted by the University of Toronto has revealed that bachelor’s degree holders of nursing providing patient care reduce patient mortality with an increase in positive patient outcomes more so than ADN holders (Trossman, 2012). Gelinas (1949) wrote, “For many years, nursing has been the best half-educated profession in the world” (p. 47). She represented the nursing education leadership that wanted to change what they believed to be an obsolete model of nursing education (Lewenson, …show more content…
It was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Incorporated (NCSBN); the exam gives nurses who passes the examination permission to practice with a license in the state where they meet the requirements (ncsbn.org). New graduates coming from either an ADN or BSN program have no difficulty passing the NLCEX. ADN holders seem to be passing the NCLEX with the same results as a BSN holder, if not better. What does this mean? That both BSN and ADN holders are both safe to practice nursing and have entry level skills. ADN holders are at a distinct disadvantage as they do not have the extensive leadership, clinical decision making, and community focused courses that come with the BSN degree. As I stated before, the NCLEX is for entry level testing and it is a minimal competency test for nurses looking for a license to practice. The nurse that is more educated (more than an ADN holder) has further critical thinking skills, leadership qualities, and applicable knowledge to use in practice. This is why several organizations and/or hospitals are pushing for the BSN requirement when hiring in the future. The bottom line matters more to hospitals when it translates to improved patient care and increased patient outcomes; if that means making the