Nursing Education

Sandra Thorson

9/26/2014

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It is the intent of this writer to compare and contrast the entry level programs in nursing

and to describe measures that are in place to assure that quality and excellence in nursing

education is maintained. The writer will also describe the purpose of accreditation of nursing

education programs as well as the mechanisms used to regulate the nursing profession. The

writer will also discuss lifelong learning and the importance of nursing emphasizing education

over training. The writer will also describe the content of the University of Mary’s Division of

Nursing philosophy and its relevance to the nursing profession.

Lifelong learning is very important to the profession as healthcare is changing every

day. Nurses need to stay educated on current research and evidence to practice evidence based

practice. An improvement in patient cares and outcomes is a benefit to all. There are many

different levels of education for nursing and, therefore, many different opportunities in the

profession are available and closely relate to the philosophy of the University of Mary.

The Associate Degree Nurse

The AND, or associate degree nurse, has been through a two year program accredited by

the NLN (National League for Nursing). They are able to provide direct patient care to

individuals with a common and well- defined diagnosis. An associate degree nurse is employed

in a structured healthcare setting where there are policies and procedures in place. Since they are

employed in healthcare settings, they have access to many levels of support and can also rely on

the experience of the colleagues that they work with. Today many of the AND programs are

closing and we are seeing a push for a transition to the BSN or baccalaureate degree in nursing.

(Finkelman & Kenner, 2013, pp. 121-123). A nurse who has completed the course work for the

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AND takes the same license exam for a registered nurse as the nurse who has completed course

work for the BSN.

The Baccalaureate Degree Nurse

The baccalaureate degree for nursing is usually a four year program accredited by the

NLN or the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing). This program does not

require any previous nursing experience. The first two years the focus is on liberal arts and

science and the remaining two years focuses on nursing courses. They are able to provide care to

complex patients and work in structured or unstructured environments where there may or may

not be policies and procedures in place. This would enable the nurse to implement variations to

the patient’s health care using independent nursing skills. Admission to a nursing graduate

program would require a BSN. (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013, pp. 121-125). Many institutions

feel that evidence shows that patient outcome is improved with a baccalaureate degree prepared

nurse.

Accelerated Programs and Advanced Practice

There are many accelerated and direct entry programs also available to the nursing

profession. Students with other degrees are admitted to the BSN program and are able to cover

the same content but in a shorter amount of time. They must complete the course work for the

BSN before they can continue on with graduate nursing courses. It is accredited by the NLN or

AACN. The typical length for the master’s program is two years. The advanced practice nurse

(APN) is a master’s degree offered in many clinical areas such as adult, pediatrics, family,

women’s, neonatal, mental, and community health. They usually work independently and take an

APN certification exam. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a master’s degree offered in any

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clinical area. These nurses usually work in hospital settings and are able to take a specialty

exam. They are certified by the ANCC. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) is a

highly competitive two year program that prepares the nurse to deliver anesthesia medications.

The program is accredited and certified by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia

Educational Program as well as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Certified nurse

midwifery focuses on cares of women such as family planning, pregnancy and delivery, and

gynecological patient cares. The program is accredited by the American College of Nurse-

Midwives. A clinical nurse leader (CNL) will work with multi-disciplines to design, implement,

coordinate and supervise patient care. There are master’s degrees in administration or education

but with such a shortage on nursing faculty the recent push has been towards education. The

doctoral degree in nursing (doctor of philosophy – PhD) is a four to five year program depending

on the completion of the dissertation. This nurse is usually focused on research or education.

The doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP) is a practice focused doctoral degree program to

prepare the nurse leader for a nursing practice. (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013, pp. 126-127).

Today, a nurse in the profession has many options available to them.

Nursing Standards

Standards for nursing education are established by the NLN and AACN and also involve

the state board of nursing. These standards help provide guidance on many issues involving

education. Focus is placed on competencies such as a student being able to work with a

multidisciplinary team and use evidence based practice to provide individualized patient care.

The course curriculum must be discussed and the expected outcome of the student at the

completion of the program. Practicum or clinical experience is a valuable content as well.

(Finkelman & Kenner, 2013, pp. 129-131). Accreditation is an important way to evaluate of the

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organizations standards are effective and being met, their missions, goals and outcomes.

(Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs, 2013, p. 3).

Minimum standards are identified by an accrediting organization and the nursing schools put

those standards in place in their curriculum. To be accredited a school must also go through a

review process which includes an on-site visit by surveyors who meet with administrators, staff

and students to obtain feedback. It is necessary to confirm that the school is meeting the needs

of the profession by supporting the student in their learning environment. (Finkelman & Kenner,

2013, pp. 139-140). As a nursing student, you want to make sure that you attend an accredited

college so you are able to sit for any licensing exams or for proof to your employer or future

education needs. Some schools will not give you credit for your previous courses if you did not

attend an accredited school.

Nursing Regulations

Nursing is regulated in many ways to ensure public safety and protection. Each state has

its own nurse practice act which governs law for the state the nurse practices in. The practice act

will define nursing and the boundaries for the scope of practice, identify the types of licenses and

titles and also determine grounds for disciplinary action. The state boards of nursing implement

the state practice act and suggest regulations and changes to the act. Registered nurses serve on

the board. They are involved in setting the standards and licensure and are also responsible for

monitoring nursing education. The board administers disciplinary action when needed such as

instances when a nurse does not meet certain standards or violates safe practice. The National

Council of State Boards of Nursing, (NCSBN), represents the board of nursing in all fifty states,

the District of Columbia and American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin

Islands. Their functions include developing, implementing of testing, and reporting the data

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analysis for the NCLEX for RN licensure and promoting uniformity in the nursing profession.

Each states board of nursing determines the license requirements but all do require passing the

NCLEX-RN exam. There are additional requirements such as a criminal background check and

continuing education for renewal. (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013, pp. 140-142). Your employer

may have yearly competency or validation requirements that you must meet to prove your skills

are up the required level where you practice.

Lifelong learning is important to the nursing profession. It is how a nurse stays on top of

their skills and education and can practice evidence based practice. The ANA states the public

has the right to expect registered nurses to demonstrate professional competence throughout their

careers and they also state their belief of the nurse being individually responsible for maintaining

their professional competence. (Professional Role Competence, 2008). It is a personal

responsibility to continue on with one’s education. A nurse will need to know their states

requirements for continuing education for their license. Continuing education is also a

requirement if a nurse becomes certified. Certification recognizes excellence in skills from a

nurse in a particular area. (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013, pp. 136-137). When a nurse chooses to

continue on and advance their education it will be a benefit to them, the organization they work

for, and they will also have improved patient outcomes. They will become experts in their skills

and knowledge base. By seeing improved patient outcomes they will be improving patient care

and therefore will be demonstrating evidence based practice.

The University of Mary’s Division of Nursing Philosophy describes the outcome of the

graduate after completing the nursing courses. The philosophy is that the essence of nursing is

caring and to prepare the graduate for the ever changing and complex health care settings.

Nurses are there to witness when a patient and family are vulnerable and the relationship requires

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using art and science to form mutual trust and respect. Faculty believes nursing knowledge and

knowledge from arts and science is the foundation and encouragement for lifelong learning

which is necessary for the professional nurse. Students are encouraged to use clinical reasoning

and critical analysis skills to improve their educational experience. Nurses who are engaged will

explore questions to problem solve and use multiple sources of information to resolve the issues.

Diversity is also appreciated in students and faculty and society. Health care providers must be

able to respond to those diversities in a positive way and with sensitivity. St. Benedict

mandated, “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else.” (RB 35:1) The University of

Mary feels this is the foundation essential to the nursing profession and the curriculum of the

University. The faculty feels these values and characteristics with guide the student nurse in

their personal and professional lives (Graduate Student Handbook, 2013-2014). The University

of Mary’s Division of Nursing Philosophy is as important as it encompasses what a nurse needs

to be and it also encourages lifelong learning which is necessary and vital for the future of the

nursing profession.

In conclusion, there are many different levels of nursing, all of which require a license

and of which all are regulated by the state where a nurse practices. There are a set of certain

standards as well as continuing education or contact hours that a nurse must meet for

requirement in the nursing profession. Lifelong learning is valuable to the profession as well as

the individual as it will keep a nurse up to date and current on their skills, which will provide

better patient outcomes and is practicing evidence based care. The University of Mary also

believes in lifelong learning and faculty promotes and encourages it for all students. When the

student is successful, so is the organization they work for as well as the public and all of the

patients they serve.

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BibliographyFinkelman, A., & Kenner, C. (2013). Professional Nursinng Concepts Competencies for Quality Leadership.

Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning. LLC.

Graduate Student Handbook. (2013-2014). Univerrsity of Mary Division of Nursing Graduate Nursing Student Handbook. Bismark, ND.

Professional Role Competence. (2008, May). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursing/NursingStandards/Professional-Role-Competence.html

Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs. (2013). Retrieved from American Association of Colleges of Nursig: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation/Standards-Amended-2013.pdf