Comparison of two nursing education systems - Assignment Example

Baccalaureate and Diploma Nursing Programs Affiliation Nursing programs comparison Introduction Nursing Education system in the United States is perhaps the most defined globally. For one to become a Registered Nurse (RN), one should enroll in at least one of the three programs. These are a 3-year diploma in nursing; a 3-year associate degree offered at community colleges or a 4-year baccalaureate degree program offered at senior colleges and universities. In this paper, the focus is on comparison of the 3-year diploma and baccalaureate nursing education.

However, the graduates of all the three education systems sit for similar NCEX-RN licensing examination (Cabaniss 2014 pp 181). Comparison of BSN and Diploma Nursing Education Notably, there has been increased enrolment into degree nursing education as compared to diploma enrolment because of numerous reasons. Under degree baccalaureate degree in nursing, experts identify it as a unique and holistic education program that allows practical and theoretical application of nursing.

Firstly, it encompasses all course work taught at diploma level, in-depth treatment of physical and social sciences and nursing services management. It is, therefore, more superior in terms of coverage and relevance to modern nursing (Mayne et al., 2013 pp 15). Secondly, the degree program encompasses humanity courses that allow students to have a wider knowledge beyond medical diseases and patients. Unlike, degree program diploma system has narrow scope that restrict curriculum to fundamental medical cases and patient management.

Lack of additional courses at diploma curriculum inhibit professional development, and graduates lack broader scope of practice (Mayne et al., 2013 pp 15). The Joint Statement on Academics Progression for Nursing Students and Graduates (JSAPNSG), American Association of Colleges, American Association of Community Colleges, they together agreed that degree nursing was more diverse and equipped. The had students shown knowledge on sociological view of patient care. Diploma curriculum centers hospital as a key health institution with little focus on the role of preventive medicine.

On contrary, degree program has been anchored on environmental and sociological view of health. It envisions healthy community through medical research and preventive medicine unlike diploma program whose research scope is insignificant (Cabaniss 2014 pp 182). Leonardo (2012 pp 258) states that during May 2010, Tri-Council of Nursing identified nursing degree as a rightful direction that would foster patient safety and quality nursing care that is scientific. It asked diploma nurses to advance their studies in order to establish accomplished competencies.

While the role of diploma nursing has been incredible, they have knowledge limitation in handling specialized cases such as tracheostomies, post-operative medication and renal complications. It is a reason for increased call on specialized nurses to care for specific patients. In comparison, diploma nursing program introduces nurses to basic practical skills. Thus, they face huge knowledge deficits in specialized care. Degree RNs have substantial knowledge across medical complications, although they are not specialized.

Their curriculum allows medical experience at clinical level that is more specialized as compared to diploma level. In 2013, the National Advisory Council on Nurses Education and Practice (NA CNEP) identified that baccalaureate holders are well trained in management, teamwork and quality assurance that diploma curriculum lacked. In recognizing this huge deficit at diploma, the council reminded diploma RNs to pursue degree course in order to expand critical and creative thinking scope, establish skills on team leadership and expand knowledge beyond medical conditions (Mayne et al.

, 2013 pp 16). It is, therefore, true that nursing education at diploma and degree level varies significantly. Sadly, there are 55% baccalaureate holders in current nursing practice (Cabaniss 2014, pp 182). There is a need to advance nursing education beyond diploma in order to build a diverse nursing professionals. Conclusion Baccalaureate nursing program and diploma nurse differ considerably in scope of curriculum, specialization and research.

Based on the training programs degree nursing exposes students to medical conditions, community health, sociology of diseases and other courses relevant for accomplished RN. However, both nursing education system share professional ethics and licensing system. The future of nursing education lies on the policy makers to institutionalized baccalaureate as minimum nurse entry requirement for practice.ReferencesCabaniss, R. (2014). Faculty identification of competencies addressing quality and safety education in Alabama.

Degree Nursing Education Programs. Teaching and Learning in Nursing , 9(4), 181-192.Leonardo Caldeira Dos Santos, S. M. (2012). The role of nursing education in the transformation of the U.S. Health systems. Health Care Trends. Online Brazilian Journal of Nursing, 11(2), 257-260.Mayne, W., Andrew, N., Drury, C., Egan, I., Leitch, A., & Malone, M. (2013). ‘There’s more unites us than divides us!’ A further and higher education community of practice in nursing. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 3, 1-17.