Professional Identity: ADN vs. BSN
Throughout history, nursing has developed into an influential and admirable professional career. Around the world, nurses are viewed as heroes or angels to the ill, disabled and wounded. Society’s view of nursing comes as no surprise since nursing developed from the Christian teachings, faith and beliefs of Jesus Christ and His example that was set forth in healing the sick (Shelley & Miller, 2006, p. 43). Individuals that make the decision to enter the nursing profession, often describe experiencing an inevitable “calling” to care for others and continuously strive to make a difference to our healthcare system through the patients, families and communities that they care for. In past history, a nurse was a nurse
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Education for nurses was overlooked and was infrequently encouraged. Having a diploma or associates degree in nursing (ADN) was sufficient enough to practice and was commonly the achieved standard among many nurses entering the field. Within the past 15 years, research has shown that patient outcomes have improved when baccalaureate prepared nurses are the majority of the nursing workforce; therefore, hospital employers now prefer to hire nurses holding a bachelors of science in nursing (BSN) or higher degree of academics (Matthias & Kim-Godwin, 2016, p. 208). The understanding of the roles of the ADN and BSN prepared nurse are not consistently understood and agreed upon across the nation. Although there are some similarities in the ADN and BSN nurse in reference to common knowledge of basic skills and the undeniable desire to care for others, there are significant differences in educational level, being a member of the interdisciplinary team and being involved in and