Educational Preparation

The nursing profession offers several opportunities to explore different areas in the clinical and academic settings. Nursing and medical professions involve frequent changes because of new research findings, evidence-based practices and from experiences. Nursing care managed and provided by registered nurses and they deliver care with compassion and respect. Regardless of educational degree level or experience, nurses are important members in the healthcare system. Currently there are different educational degree level nurses practicing in patient care setting. Diploma nurses (3- years) clinical based program, Associated Degree Nurses (3-years) college level program, and Baccalaureate Degree nurses (4-years) university level program are among them (Scope & Standard of practice, 2004). Associate degree program requires 2-years of instruction, including pre requisites and co-requisites, (minimum 3-years to complete) (Orsolini, L. & Waters, V. 2009). In order to maintain caring and respect for human dignity, the registered should be compassionate and competent regardless of their educational level. Competency may be accomplished thorough higher education, independent practice or collaborative partnership (Scope &Standards of practice, 2004).

Diploma nurses are being trained and educated in hospital settings to follow policies and procedure rather than relying on theories to meet clinical practice demands (Hood & Leddy, 2006). They are highly trained to maintain a safe and comfortable working environment, patient safety, and the ability to collaborate and communicate with colleagues. Associate Degree Nurses receives education in community college level. Community college prepares nurses to focus on technical aspects of professional nursing (Hood & Leddy, 2006). The evolution in nursing education brought student nurses in to a purposeful curriculum model designed to meet learning objectives efficiently, a model that has continued to change to meet changing needs and...