Entry into practice☆
Article Outline
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) supports the baccalaureate degree in nursing as the basic educational level for all registered nurses entering the profession of nursing. This position is based on the recognition that health care is becoming increasingly complex and technical, and that uniform educational preparation at the collegiate level will best meet the needs of future consumers as well as nurses.
NAPNAP supports the American Nurse's Association's first position on Education for Nursing (American Nurses Association, 1965, ANA, 2000). This document advocates that education for those who work in nursing should take place in institutions of higher learning. Today, with the complexity of health care, it remains vital that the nursing professional be grounded in science with an emphasis on critical thinking, which is a major component of the baccalaureate education. A recent study has shown that, in hospitals with higher proportions of nurses educated at the baccalaureate level or higher, surgical patients experienced lower mortality and improved patient outcomes (Aiken et al, 2003). Therefore, NAPNAP supports the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as the minimum educational requirement for professional level nursing practice (AACN, 2000).
While supporting baccalaureate preparation for entry into professional nursing, NAPNAP recognizes that two issues need to be considered, including protection of the professional standing of registered nurses currently practicing without bachelor's degrees and expansion of career ladder mobility for non-degreed and licensed practical nurses who wish to continue their education.
NAPNAP:
In conclusion, the increasingly complex health care systems require nurses who have comprehensive educational preparation. As health care becomes more complex, the health system requires nurses who can assume diverse responsibilities, think critically and practice in a variety of settings. A baccalaureate nursing education prepares nurses to meet the needs of the changing health care system.
Acknowledgements
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners would like to acknowledge the contribution of the following individuals to the 2004 revision of this statement: Margaret Brady, PhD, RN, CPNP, Coordinator; Dolores Jones, EdD, RN, CPNP, CAE; Melanie Percy, PhD, CPNP; Patricia Clinton, PhD, RN, CPNP
References
- References
- . Educational levels of hospital nurses and surgical patient mortality. JAMA. 2003;290:1617–1623
- . American Nurses Association's first position on education for nursing. American Journal of Nursing. 1965;65(12):106–107
- American Nursing Association. (2000). Entry into Practice: Revisiting the American Nurse's Association's First Position on Education for Nurses. Retrieved on September 19, 2003 from: http://www.nursingworld.org/mods/mod524/ceen07.htm
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2000). The Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing as Minimal Preparation for Professional Practice. Retrieved September 25, 2003, from: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/positions/baccmin.htm.
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2002). Fact sheet: Associate degree in nursing programs and AACN's support for articulation. Retrieved May 8, 2002, from http://www.aacn.nche.edu
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PII: S0891-5245(04)00006-9
doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2004.02.002
