A Comparison and Contrast Critique1
A Comparison and Contrast Critique of Associate
and Baccalaureate Nursing Degree Curriculums
Sherrina M. Stewart
University of Central Florida
A Comparison and Contrast Critique of Associate
and Baccalaureate Nursing Degree Curriculums
Two decades ago, workforce shortages for the nursing profession declined. Students were not applying to nursing programs which increased the deficit. (Benner, Sutphen, Leonard, & Day, 2010 p. 2). Benner et al., (2010) stated that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a twenty-three percent increase in available nursing jobs by 2016, the largest increase for any occupation (p. 2). To meet this demand, accelerated nursing programs across the United States have increased. The nursing shortage has succumbed to a greater decline due to this increase in associate degree programs. The goal of creating more associate degree prepared nurses is to establish a technical nurse who can provide direct patient care in acute care settings after two academic years and under the supervision of a professional nurse (Billings & Halstead, 2012).
On the contrary, baccalaureate degree prepared nurses require a longer investment of time, most commonly a four-year commitment. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) believes that nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are well prepared to meet the demands placed on today's nurse. BSN nurses are prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, health promotion, and their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings (Rosseter, 2014). In addition, NursingLicensure(2013) states that BSN nurses are able to take on a wider variety of roles, such as teaching, consulting, research, and administration, and take additional instruction in communication, leadership, critical thinking, and social scienceswhen compared to associate degree nurses.
This paper will analyze nursing programsat Miami Dade College and University of
Miami and how their curriculums compare and contrast in bridging the gap between
Baccalaureate and associate degree nurses.
Amongst all of the Associate degree programs in Florida, Benjamín León School of Nursing (BLSN)Miami Dade College is ratednumber twelve. (Best Nursing Colleges, 2015). Their mission is to prepare individuals with the right skills in order to practice nursing in a global society with an emphasis on lifelong learning (Benjamín León School of Nursing, 2015). The nursing faculty holds nothing less than a master’s degree in nursing, and their Dean, Amy Pettigrew, is doctorate prepared.
The total cost to attend BLSN’s program isapproximately eight thousand and four hundred dollars.It is a comprehensive and generic two-year program with the option of attending full-time or part-time. BLSN’s accreditation is through the AccreditationCommission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. After graduation, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) for registered nurses (Benjamín León School of Nursing, 2014).
In order to be eligible for the program, applicants are required to hold a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. In addition, applicants must have completed general classes, fifteen credit hours of natural sciences, andsuccessfully completed Introduction to Health Care and computer competency course prior to applying to the program. Once selected for entry, students must maintain a letter grade of “C” or better to continue in the program. Whether attending part-time or full-time, there is a forty-twocredit hour requirement to successfully complete the plan of study. This includes supervised clinical assignments in obstetric, pediatric, medical or surgical, geriatric, psychiatric and community health.
In contrast,amongst the Baccalaureate of Science in nursing programs, according to Best Nursing Colleges (2015), University of Miami (UM) is rated the second best nursing school in the state of Florida. However, it is located in one of the most unsafe areas of Miami. Their mission is to develop culturally competent and experienced leaders in order to deliver quality serviceon multiple spectrums, including communal, national, and international settings, through research, education and practice (University of Miami, 2015).
The faculty at the University of Miami nursing program holds various advanced degrees in public health, psychology, medicine, nutrition, education, and administration. A multitude of nursing faculty hold joint appointments or are engaged in collaborative and federally funded research (University of Miami, 2015). Their Dean, Nilda Montano, holds a doctorate in public health and is currently researching HIV/AIDS prevention.
The annual cost to attend this program is estimated atforty-five thousand dollars for in-state tuition.The preadmission process includes a minimum GPA of 3.0, and no more than one retake for a prerequisite course. These courses include general classes along with nineteencredit hours of natural sciences. UM offers a generic full-time four yearprogram, which consists of sixty credit hours for successful completion of the nursing program(University of Miami, 2015). University of Miami is accredited through the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, and students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN upon graduation. (Undergraduate School of Nursing & Health Studies, 2014).
Currently, UM holds a 95.77% NCLEX passing rate (University of Miami. 2015). To maintain good standing progress within the program, all nursing students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 and earn a letter grade no less than a “C.”Lastly, UM is ranked number one in research in the state of Florida.
In comparison, both programs of study are not for profit and both offering accelerated RN-BSN courses of study. Each school requires a “C” average for completion. Also, deans for both schools aredoctorate prepared and highly influential in the programs and communitiesin which they serve.
In contrast, while UM discloses their current NCLEX pass rates, Miami Dade has no current disclosures since 2011.At the time of disclosure, their passing rates were between 60-70%. While BLSN requires a computer competency for admission, UM does not. Miami Dade College of Nursing upholds a 2.5 GPAaverage, while University of Miami is 3.0. Both programs do not provide information on how many students are accepted into the program inhibiting a comparison analysis.
Two major differential components are cost and research. Obtaining an Associates of Science in Nursing costs students approximately thirty six thousand dollars less than earning a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing at the University of Miami. UM’s mission prides on training competent nursing leaders as Miami Dade’s focus is on preparing skilled nurses through the basis of research and the most current practices.
The National League for Nursing (NLN) (2013)lists four competencies that associate degree programs should follow. These competencies are human flourishing, nursing judgement, professional identity, and the spirit of inquiry. Looking at Benjamín León School of Nursing at Miami Dade College, two of the four competencies were not evident, nursing judgment and spirit of inquiry. BLSN’s mission statement states that their focus is to prepare nurses’ skill sets. NLN’s definition of nursing judgment is for nurses to use judgments that are substantiated with evidence, and the spirit of inquiry is the expectationthat nurses must examine evidence in order to challenge the status quo (National League of Nursing, 2013). BSLN mission is to promote lifelong learning, however, their lack of focus on research of evidence based practice, does not promote the standards of the NLN competencies of substantiating judgement through evidence. Their attention is to produce skilled nurses with hopes that students are inspired to further their education due to the training they obtained.
On the contrary, the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Profession Nursing Practice, there are nine essentials that should be included in a baccalaureate curriculum. There are several core essentials that University of Miami hasimplemented. Information management and application of patient care technology is an essential with high importance. Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Profession Nursing Practice (2008) states that computer and information literacy is essential for future nursing and especially critical in preparing students to deliver quality patient care. To further this essential component, University of Miami embarked on upgrading their ability to teach nursing students with the one of the most sophisticated technology center in 2006. The M. Christine Schwartz Center for Nursing Educationincludes three smart classrooms for interactive learning and ability to hear from speakers from around the world (University of Miami, 2015).
According to Billings and Halstead (2012), associate degree curriculums consist of content related to practices of medical, surgical, pediatric, maternal, and psychiatric-mental health. Also, in response to the future of nursing needs in the workforce, there is an expectation for instructors to champion the sense of lifelong learning with the hope that students would advance their ASN to a BSN. The concept of life-long learning is consistent with BLSN’s mission statement. This phenomenon is causing some hospitals in hiring only BSN prepared nurses. More hospitals will move towards this trend if “BS in 10” law passes, which would require nurses who do not already have bachelor’s degrees to earn them within their first ten years of practice (NursingLiscensure, 2013).
One of the major nursing advocates, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), has given agreed with the passing of “BS in 10” law, stating that passing this legislationwill help nurses strengthen their analytical and critical-thinking skills. (NursingLiscensure, 2013).If passed, this strategic plan will meet the benchmark goal of the Institute of Medicine (IOM)report of 2010 that the associate degree nurse will unbalance the scale allowing an increased percentage of practicing nurses with a baccalaureate degree by eighty percent (Billings & Halstead, 2012).
Lastly, Benner et al (2010) stated thatbaccalaureate prepared nurses have an advantage of learning more with greater depth due to the courses that are provided, allowing further opportunity to learn and conduct research along with developing knowledge and skills independently. The AACN (2013) also believes that nurses that hold a BSN are prepared to meet the demands nurses are subjected to from today’shealthcare environment. This makes the baccalaureate prepared nurse most valuable for the skills they possess and the ability to respond regarding critical situations, leadership, case management and health promotion (AACN, 2013).
In conclusion, after reviewing the similarities and differences of Benjamín León School of Nursing Miami Dade College and University of Miami, there were some stark distinctions as there were parallels. Beside the vast difference in cost, and that the BSN programs basis of teaching focuses on research, and the ASN on skill. Overall, both institutions core curriculums fit the national standards and are producing quality nurses that will engage in lifelong learning for generations to come.
References
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