COMPARISON OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND BACCALAUREATE DEGREE NURSES EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION FOR LICENSING IN PENNSYLVANIA AS REGISTERED OR ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSES.
Contributors: Temple University.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 180
Subjects: Education, Adult and Continuing.
Description: This research was undertaken for two purposes. The first was to compare the commonalities and differences in the education of associate degree and baccalaureate degree students in the State of Pennsylvania in preparation for Registered Nurse licensure. The second was to determine the clinical competencies of the graduates from these programs.

The following research questions were addressed. (1) What are the commonalities and differences between the education of associate degree and baccalaureate degree nurses? (2) What percentage of students successfully graduate from associate degree nursing programs as compared to those students in baccalaureate degree nursing programs? (3) What percentage of graduates from associate degree nursing programs are successful when taking the National Registered Nurse Licensing Examination the first time: how does this compare with graduates from baccalaureate degree nursing programs? (4) What type(s) of clinical settings are graduates of associate degree nursing programs most often employed: how does this compare with graduates from baccalaureate degree nursing programs? (5) Do acute care hospital administrators feel associate degree nursing programs adequately prepare their graduates to function as bedside nurses?.

Procedure. This study was conducted in the State of Pennsylvania in which the directors of the twenty-one associated degree and thirty baccalaureate degree schools of nursing were requested to participate. This study also included the participation of the administrators of acute care hospitals employing graduates from these programs.

To determine the commonalities and differences in the education and subsequent clinical competencies of associate degree and baccalaureate degree nurses, two survey instruments were used.

Conclusions. The results of the data show the following conclusions. (1) Both nursing programs provide comparable nursing experiences. The focus of their curricula differ, but the data show the courses needed for theoretical knowledge and clinical competencies are provided by both programs. Emphasis in the baccalaureate degree programs is on public health, leadership, and teaching skills compared to the bedside skills promoted in associate degree programs. (2) Graduates from both nursing programs most often seek employment in acute care hospitals. (3) Employers of graduates from both programs are satisfied with their clinical competencies. (4) The associate degree graduate is more successful in passing the National Registered Licensing Examination.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-05, Section: A, page: 1034.

Thesis (ED.D.)--TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, 1988.

School code: 0225.