Contemporary Nursing Practice

Today, the healthcare system faces numerous changes related to new technology, education, and evidence-based practice.  The role of nurses has also changed. Professional nurses have Associate and Baccalaureate degrees that allow them to offer high-quality care. Nurses do not take bedside positions today; on the contrary, they are the main healthcare providers with more increased responsibilities than ever. These professionals advocate for patients and collaborate with their colleagues for better patient care. The current primary healthcare model provides the extensive involvement of nurses in various healthcare practices. The modern healthcare system requires highly educated nurses since their expertise contributes to patient outcomes and the improvement of the quality level of healthcare delivery.

Changes in Nursing Practice

During recent decades, the US healthcare system has made considerable efforts toward achieving better healthcare quality and lower costs. Nurses are usually positioned to contribute to the transformative changes in healthcare settings throughout the USA. Episodic healthcare has shifted to team-based care that aims to improve patient outcomes. Evidence shows that this shift requires enhanced skills, knowledge, and attitudes focused on patient-centered care (Thomas, Seifert, & Joyner, 2016). Furthermore, nurses have become major players in transformational changes in healthcare settings nowadays. With the aging of the Baby Boom generation, nurses are encouraged to improve healthcare for this category of population since disease-type demographics have changed, which has led to the rise of chronic diseases. Moreover, all nurses are innovators today since they all implement change in healthcare settings by driving new policies and processes and leveraging technology to offer more affordable patient care (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017). Therefore, professional nurses in the realities of the contemporary world have faced new challenges that require better education and evidence-based practice.

The Differentiated Practice Competencies Between an Associate and Baccalaureate Education in Nursing

Lately, the nursing profession has enhanced the requirements for nursing education. Thus, those interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, must study for four years at a university or college, have a nurse license (RN), and have experience in nursing (Matthias, 2015). At the same time, to receive an Associate Degree in nursing, students should study for two years (Thomas et al., 2016). The major differences between these two programs lie in their duration and the number of credits needed to graduate from both programs. Thus, the ADN degree is usually required to start a nursing career. As a rule, such a program is less time-consuming and expensive than a BSN. Therefore, a BSN-level nurse has a more advanced education than the one with an AND. Consequently, BSN nurses can be given more complex tasks and are in charge of other nurses. Compared to BSN nurses, those with an AND degree can provide less care. However, both observe and monitor patients, maintain records, administer medications, communicate with doctors, educate patients, and so on. However, a BSN nurse can complete more complex procedures under the supervision of a doctor than an AND (Stevens, 2013).

Furthermore, such nurses have broader career options, including leadership positions and higher pay. The bachelor's degree allows a BSN nurse to take a higher status in healthcare, for example, as a nurse educator or public health nurse. Although both are well-qualified, BSN nurses are better trained, allowing them to tackle complicated tasks. Therefore, the qualification of BSNs allows them to take leading roles in healthcare settings.

The Significance of Applying Evidence-Based Practice to Nursing Care

Evidence-based practice (EBP) helps cover various gaps in patient care. Therefore, such a practice leads to better patient outcomes. Thus, by blending clinical experience and evidence, nurses can improve the quality of their services. The academic preparation is also based on evidence-based practice. Its basis lies in research that offers reliable information about treatment modalities. Consequently, evidence-based practice contributes to patient safety and better patient outcomes, which improves their quality of life (Stevens, 2013). In addition, EBP allows patients to receive quality care and become healthcare consumers. Ultimately, evidence-based practice strives to standardize healthcare practices.

Collaboration of Nurses with Interdisciplinary Teams

The collaboration of nurses with interdisciplinary teams is essential in providing effective healthcare. Cross-disciplinary teams help improve patient outcomes and eliminate medical errors (Morley & Cashell, 2017). Such a collaboration creates an opportunity for nurses to share their ideas and compromises in providing better decisions that can contribute to the avoidance of malpractice and the reduction of financial expenses. Furthermore, Morley and Cashell (2017) assume that this collaboration allows nurses to participate in better treatments, diagnoses, tests, screening, and promotion discussions. Participants can offer their best experience and knowledge in such groups, contributing to better healthcare decisions. Often, their collaboration leads to optimal choices in treatment and the usage of the best technology. Some nurses might be more experienced than others, and their knowledge can help identify appropriate diagnoses and treatments. Therefore, the collaboration of nurses with interdisciplinary teams improves healthcare and better patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Contemporary nursing practice has changed throughout its history, and it acquires numerous changes nowadays. Therefore, the modern healthcare system requires highly educated nurses whose expertise helps achieve better patient outcomes and ensure the delivery of care of the highest level. Such educational nursing programs as Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor’s degree provide necessary education for their nursing practice. Although their graduates have different opportunities and responsibilities, these professionals have similar duties. In addition, contemporary nursing applies evidence-based practice that is more reliable than simple healthcare. The collaboration of nurses with interdisciplinary teams is quite effective since it allows them to share ideas and make better decisions that contribute to improved patient outcomes.