Discuss the correlation between nursing education and positive patient outcomes. Include current research that links patient safety outcomes to advanced degrees in nursing. Based on some real-life experiences, explain whether you agree or disagree with this research.
#1
Linda Aiken is a nurse researcher who studied the correlation between advancing nurse education and patient outcomes and found that nurses were not being utilized to their fullest potential and skill set. Additional research has been completed since her initial study and all have concluded that when nurses pursue advancing education and training, it has a direct positive effect on patient care and outcome (Thomas, 2018). According to an article by Porter (2014), there have been multiple studies over the years that have proven a link between nurses’ education level and patient outcome. One study found that even as little as a 10 percent increase in the number of nurses holding a BSN degree could decrease the mortality rate of patients by 2.12 deaths per 1,000 patients (Porter, 2014).
I do agree with these studies. While I do not feel that obtaining my BSN degree is going to add to my physical skills as a nurse, it is helping to expand my knowledge of all other aspects of the nursing profession and will help me better care for my patients in a more holistic way.
Reference
Porter, S. (2014, September 24). Nursing education levels and positive patient outcomes. Supplemental Health Care. https://www.shccares.com/blog/nursing-education-levels-and-positive-patient-outcomes.
Thomas, J. (2018). Professional Development in Nursing. Trends in health care: A nursing perspective. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs440vn/trends-in-health-care-a-nursing-perspective/v1.1/#/chapter/3.
#2
Linda Aiken is one of the most notable nursing researchers documented. It is under her research that we find that the nurses full potential and full extent of their education was not being utilized (Thomas, 2018). In some of the studies conducted, it was found that with nurses having a higher education level came a decrease in patient deaths. Also, it was found that having an adequate nurse-patient ratio yielded to improved patient outcomes as well (Thomas, 2018). According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2019), the advanced educated nursing is well-prepared to meet the demands of patient needs at any level.
As far as my own education, I have found that in pursuing my BSN, I do feel better prepared in seeking a new position in the future. In my current role as a case manager, I do not feel that it has helped in this way. But if I pursue a different position such as being a manager of a department or in teaching, then I definitely feel prepared now to do so.
Reference
Thomas, J. (2018). Professional Development in Nursing. Chapter 3. Trends in Healthcare: A Nursing Perspective. Grand Canyon University. (e.d). https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs440vn/trends-in-health-care-a-nursing-perspective/v1.1/#/chapter/3
American Association of Colleges of Nursing.(2019). The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. AACN. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/impact-of-education
#3
Week 3 Religious DQ 1 Classroom Assessment Technique Activity
Below is a quote from the CU Ethical Positions Statement.
“Position on Ethics and Moral Truth
Christian ethics is the set of moral principles derived from the Bible and rooted in the life-changing message of Jesus Christ which provide guidance and wisdom for all of life. As a Christian institution, CU is committed to distinctively Christian beliefs, values and practices rooted in the notion that God intelligently and purposefully ordered the entire universe including human creatures in ways that are consistent with His good nature and will. The university affirms that God has revealed His moral will to humanity in part through the way He created the universe and humans and in part through Holy Scripture. This means that an objective difference exists between what is right and what is wrong. Furthermore, it is possible to know the difference between right and wrong through observation and reflection on creation and in light of scriptural teaching. In certain situations moral absolutes are difficult to apply with certainty due to the brokenness of the world in which we live and the inherent limitations of human reason. Therefore, humility is appropriate and necessary at all points.” (1)
After reading this information, write a one paragraph summarization of how this Position on Ethics and Moral Truth affects your view of this class?
Reminder: Participation is optional however substantive replies will help earn full credit for participation for this week.
#4
The education the nurse receives prior to working is an important part of how well the nurse will be prepared to care for patients and have knowledge and understanding of the types of care she/he is providing. According to the AACN, nurses with Bachelor of Sciences degrees or higher are better prepared to meet the demands of the nursing field (Unknown, 2021). BSN nurses are better equipped with critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, case management understanding, and the overall idea of health promotion (Unknown, 2021). BSN nurses can practice in a variety of settings from community based, to acute care, to even private practices. Nurses with higher educational backgrounds are associated with lower risks of mortality and adverse events. This particular study showed that higher levels of RN education were associated with lower risks of failure (75%) to rescue and decreased mortality rates (61.1%) and showed that the higher education the bedside nurses have can reduce the numbers of readmitted patients as well (Audet et al., 2018).
I do feel that proper education is important, and with increased education nurses develop increased knowledge and a larger skill set. Experience also is a big factor in nursing care as well. For newer nurses with no experience, I think BSN or higher are better prepared to start the journey of nursing.
REFERENCES
Audet, L. Bourgault, P. & Rochefort, C. (2018) Associations between nurse education and experience and the risk of mortality and adverse events in acute care hospitals: A systematic review of observational studies International Journal of Nursing Studies 80:128-146 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002074891830018X
Unknown (2021) The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice American Association of Colleges of Nursing https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/impact-of-education
Topic 3 DQ 2
Discuss the difference between a DNP and a PhD in nursing. Discuss which of these you would choose to pursue if you decide to continue your education to the doctoral level and explain why.
#5
The primary difference between a DNP and PhD degrees in nursing is the focus that degree has in the nursing profession. The doctorate of nursing practice is a degree that focuses on nursing practice and patient care. The PhD degree of nursing focuses on nursing research (Duke University School of Nursing, 2021). Nurses prepared with a PhD develop the research skills needed to perform and test theories that will help broaden the knowledge and practice of nurses. Nurses prepared with a DNP have a greatest sense on how to apply their research and knowledge to enhance their practice and have a direct positive effect on patient outcomes (Thomas, 2018).
If I would ever decide to continue my nursing career and degree to this level, I think I would choose the DNP degree. This would help increase my knowledge and ability to understand research and evidenced-based practice changes even more, but I would also continue to have patient interaction and make a difference directly in patient’s lives.
Reference
DNP-PhD comparison. Duke University School of Nursing. (2021). https://nursing.duke.edu/academic-programs/dnp-program-nursing/dnp-phd-comparison.
Thomas, J. (2018). Professional Development in Nursing. Trends in health care: A nursing perspective. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs440vn/trends-in-health-care-a-nursing-perspective/v1.1/#/chapter/3.
#6
As the emphasis for nursing practitioners to achieve higher educational qualifications grows more intense, the nursing profession has diversified its educational paths at all levels, including the doctorate level that is representative of the highest academic qualification (McCauley et al., 2020). At this level, there are two distinct educational paths that have their career outcomes and their own unique specific criteria. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are the two most common terminal doctoral level nursing degrees (Travers et al., 2018). Whereas the PhD in Nursing is more focused on research, the DNP dedicates its focus to nursing and clinical practice. With a doctorate degree in DNP programs, graduates acquire skills that enable them to improve care systems through interdisciplinary team leadership and translation of nursing theory into standards of care that are considered evidence-based (McCauley et al., 2020). On the other hand, the intrinsic focus on academic research by nursing PhD programs poises graduates to work in education or research fields where they design and implement nursing studies and lead research teams that evaluate and analyze data or statistics in nursing science (Travers et al., 2018).
As I continue my nursing education, my ultimate goal is to attain the highest possible qualification that guarantees care development and advanced delivery of care that is evaluated through better patient outcomes. In line with this long term goal is my ambition to use my qualifications to directly influence the standards of care within the healthcare setting. Therefore,
I would choose to purse a DNP doctorate qualification because with this qualification, I will be best placed to engage with the rapidly changing healthcare system and implement modern trends that would improve the patient care and outcomes.
References
McCauley, L., Broome, M., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., & Musil, C. et al. (2020). Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in the United States: Reflecting, readjusting, and getting back on track. Nursing Outlook, 68(4), 494-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.03.008
Travers, J., Weis, M., & Merrill, J. (2018). Relationships among DNP and PhD students after implementing a doctoral student organization. Nursing Education Perspectives, 39(5), 271-279. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nep.0000000000000323
Description
Respond to each of the 6 post separately using:
-Descriptive insight, thought -provoking, and/or seeking clarification, utilizing references, etc.,
striving to share new articles or ideas w/peers.
-@ least 75 words/ 5 sentences (for each response)
-7th edition APA format
-@ 1 peer reviewed article w/citations) per reponses
*Sources must be a SCHOLARLY one. This means a peer reviewed nursing journal, textbook, peer reviewed medical journal, educational materials, etc. You may not use sources such as Wikipedia, Angelfire, WebMD, Encyclopedias, blogs, etc. These are NOT scholarly sources.
Thanks!
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