Patient safety outcomes to nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Current Research on the Impact of Education Level on Patient Safety Outcomes

Current research linking or relating patient safety outcomes to nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) claims that the education level of the trained nursing workforce has a significant impact on the quality of patient care (Yakusheva, Lindrooth, & Weiss, 2014). According to the findings of the study, healthcare facilities that hire a large number of BSN and ADN nurses had lower patient death rates. Furthermore, the study’s findings show that the proportion of BSN and ADN nurses has increased by 10%, resulting in a 7% decrease in patient death rates (Yakusheva, Lindrooth, & Weiss, 2014).

Additionally, according to current research, patients who receive care services from BSN and ADN nurses are less likely to lose their lives, spend little time in hospital beds, as well as pay less health care services. Besides, the research indicates that health facilities with ADN or BSN nurses record reduced rates of cardiac deaths, as well as lower rates of rescue failure (Aiken et al., 2014). The research concludes its findings by noting that there exists a strong connection or linkage between the patient safety outcomes and the nurses’ level of education. From the research results, it is evident that most practicing nurses hold either an ADN or a BSN degree, which accounts for about 70 percent of practicing nurses. That indicates the great positive impact that BSN and ADN levels of education have on the nursing practice (Aiken et al., 2014).

Personal View on Education Level and Patient Safety Outcomes

In my view, and based on real-life experiences, I do not agree with the findings of the current research. That is because I believe patient safety outcomes depend significantly on the experience of trained nurse practitioners as opposed to their levels of education. I believe nurses with high levels of experience in the nursing profession are more likely to record high levels of patient safety outcomes because they have the practical skills and knowledge required to handle various patients’ health conditions. On the other hand, ADN and BSN-prepared nurses may only be having the theoretical aspect of the knowledge and skills required to handle various patients’ problems. In my view, high patient safety outcomes in nursing rely on the nurses’ clinical expertise as opposed to theoretical knowledge.

However, that does not mean nurse practitioners should not pursue ADN or BSN education. In fact, nurses should strive to continue with their studies up to ADN or BSN levels because achieving the best nursing practice and highest patient safety outcomes require nurses to have both a high level of clinical experience and higher education qualifications.

Difference between Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing

Q 2. The main difference between Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in nursing is that DNP is a clinical practice degree whereas Ph.D. in nursing is a doctorate that focuses primarily on nursing research (Astalos, 2009). Although both DNP and Ph.D. in nursing are terminal nursing degrees, the scope of both their coursework and application have slight differences. However, neither Ph.D. nor DNP is considered a higher education than the other because both Ph.D. and DNP graduates can serve as nurse practitioners after earning the required credentials (Oermann, 2014). Additionally, most DNP programs include a Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialization whereas PhD-trained nurses have to pursue a post-graduate certificate to qualify as NPs (Astalos, 2009; Oermann, 2014).

Therefore, if I were to continue with my education to the doctoral level, I would choose DNP because I would like to specialize as a nurse practitioner as opposed to a researcher. Besides, by pursuing DNP, I will acquire intimate knowledge and skills of evidence-based practices, which are essential in delivering the best patient outcomes.

References

Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Bruyneel, L., Van den Heede, K., Griffiths, P., Busse, R., ... & McHugh, M. D. (2014). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. The Lancet, 383(9931), 1824-1830.

Astalos, C. (2009). Toward Clarification of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree. Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal, 31(4), 287-297. Retrieved from http://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=942589

Oermann, M. (2014). Clarification of the DNP and Ph.D./DNS. Nurse Educator Nurse Educator, 39(6), 1-2. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/nurseeducatoronline/Citation/2014/11000/Clarification_of_the_DNP_and_PhD_DNS.13.aspx

Yakusheva, O., Lindrooth, R., & Weiss, M. (2014). Economic evaluation of the 80% baccalaureate nurse workforce recommendation: a patient-level analysis. Medical Care, 52(10), 864-869.