Contemporary Nursing Practice
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Today, the healthcare system faces numerous changes related to new technology, education, and evidence-based practice. Respectively, 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 position today; on the contrary, they are the main healthcare providers with more increased responsibilities than ever. These professionals advocate patients and collaborate with their colleagues for better patient care. The current model of primary healthcare 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 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 that occur in healthcare settings all over the USA. Episodic healthcare has shifted to team-based care that is now aimed at improving patient outcomes. Evidence shows that this shift requires an enhanced set of 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 ages, nurses are incoraged to improve healthcare for this category of population since disease-type demographics has changed, which has led to the rise of chronic diseases. Moreover, all nurses are innovators today since all of them implement change in healthcare settings by driving new policies and processes as well as leveraging technology to offer more affordable patient care (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017). Therefore, professional nurses in the realities of 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 who are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing, such as Bachelor of Science in Nursing, must study for four years at a university or college, have a nurse license (RN), and experience in nursing (Matthias, 2015). At the same time, to receive 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 nursing career. As a rule, such a program is less time-consuming and less expensive than 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 they are in charge for other nurses. As compared to BSN nurses, those with 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 is able to complete more complex procedures under the supervision of a doctor than an AND is (Stevens, 2013). Furthermore, such nurses have broader career options, including leadership positions and a higher pay for their job. The bachelor degree allows a BSN nurse to take the higher status in healthcare, for example, a nurse educator and public health nurse. Although both of them are well-qualified, BSN nurses are better trained, which allows them to tackle complicated tasks. Therefore, the qualification of BSNs gives them an opportunity to take the 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 not only to receive quality care but also 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 ensure better 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 discussions related to better treatments, diagnoses, tests, screening, and promotion. In such groups, participants are able to offer their best experience and knowledge, which contributes 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 results in the improvement of healthcare and better patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Contemporary nursing practice has changed during its history of development, 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 education that is necessary 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 that simple healthcare. Obviously, 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.