Differences in competencies - Essay Example

These differences emerging can be clearly seen at various patient are situations for example variations in approaches to decision-making or nurse care. One patient care situation that brings out differences in nursing care among ADN and BSN nurses is cardiac care units. Baccalaureate nursing care approaches include altruism, values of autonomy, integrity, social justice, human dignity and unconditional regard for all patients. Their nursing practice include disease prevention, health promotion, early detection of human health deviation, quick and adequate treatment of chronic and acute illnesses as well as compassionate care for people nearing death.

As a result of their training, BSN nurses are able to respond to more demanding patient care tasks like those witnessed in the cardiac care units. Johnson (1988) state that BSNs are associated with lower rates of failure-to-rescue and mortality rates. These can be attributed to their good nursing care approaches like quick and adequate treatment of chronic and acute illnesses. Research conducted in various cardiac care units reveal that there were 4.9 fewer deaths for every 1000 patients in those hospital intensive care units (ICUs) where a large proportion of nurses had a bachelor’s degree (Van den Heede, 2009). . These indicate higher level of clinical support among the BSNs compared to other types of nurses like the ADNs.

An emphasis on compassionate care for patients indicate a higher level of promotion of human dignity among the BSN nurses. BSNs make a higher utilization of protocols or care maps in order to guide patient progress during their hospitalization period. This presents a scientific and more systematic nursing approaches among the BSN. In their efforts to maximize on patient autonomy and human dignity, BSNs emphasize on teaching patients on how skills for taking care of themselves in relation to their type of disease or medication, and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Emphasis on healthy lifestyles is an incorporation of prevention measures with treatment. It prevents the progression of the disease or emergence of other diseases that can worsen the present condition. Due to their level of education, the BSNs have a higher level of expertise as compared to the ADNs. It should be noted that BSNs take four years to receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree while the ADNs take 2-3 years to receive their degree. BSNs undertake their studies in universities and senior colleges whereas ADNs undertake their studies in community colleges.

As a result of their levels of expertise, the BSNs are more competent case management as compared to ADNs. This is can also be linked to their high levels of scientific, critical-thinking and leadership skills. Due to the superior level of competency among the BSN, ADNs can work under BSN and but the BSN cannot work under the BSN. BSNs are more capacitated in working under a variety of inpatient and outpatient environments as compared to