There have been extensive levels of research which aimed to determine the link between patient safety outcomes to Associated Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) nurses (Tumolo, 2007; Orsolini-Hain, n.d.). In Tumolo’s article, the author asserted that “a growing body of research supports the relationship between the level of nursing education and both the quality and safety of patient care” (Tumolo, 2007, par. 2). Concurrently, Orsolini-Hain (n.d.) has identified vast amounts of literatures which established the link between patient safety and earning an ADN or a BSN, to wit: “an increased proportion of RNs with baccalaureate degrees in acute care hospitals (are linked) with significantly decreased patient mortality rates” (par. 2).
In one’s personal and professional experience working with nurses who possess an ADN or a BSN, their levels of knowledge, competencies, and experience working in health care institutions have actually corroborated the findings from current research. One therefore agrees that earning the BSN degree was instrumental and contributory to higher levels of competencies in focusing on high quality of patient care; which includes ensuring that standards of patient safety has been effectively adhered to. Specifically, BSN nurses were identified to be “prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settingsEvidence shows that nursing education level is a factor in patient safety and quality of care (where) significantly higher levels of medication errors and procedural violations are committed by nurses prepared at the associate degree and diploma levels as compared with the baccalaureate level” . Nonconformity to standards of patient care and safety could jeopardize the renewal of their respective licenses and would impact continued performance of their duties as nurses in the long run. Thus, nurses with BSN are more cognizant of adhering to standards of patient safety, high quality of care, and the provision of the holistic approach to patient care, as expected of the profession.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (n.d.). Fact Sheet: The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. Retrieved from aacn.nche.edu: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/EdImpact.pdf
Orsolini-Hain, L. (n.d.). What’s all the Fuss? Working Towards a Baccalaureate or Graduate Degree in Nursing. Retrieved from NSNA: http://www.nsna.org/careercenter/fuss.aspx
Tumolo, J. (2007, February 12). Is BSN Better? Retrieved from Advance Healthcare Network: http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Article/Is-BSN-Better-2.aspx
