Debate, Outline Example

Some organizations feel that entry level nursing practice should require a baccalaureate degree. However, this would eliminate other nursing personnel valuable to the healthcare industry. Restricting the nursing profession in this manner is denying patients, staff and physicians the diversity of total physical, emotional and philosophical care. Key points will be outlined and summarized below.

1. Level of nursing care.
   1. If all nurses entered a position with a Bachelor’s degree, duty assignment will become problematic.  A nurse with a degree will not want to do duties associated with lower level nursing; basic day-to-day non-invasive patient care such as assisting in dressing, feeding and bathing the patient, checking vital signs and making beds (Nursing Degrees, 2010).
   2. A two year associate degree focuses on the technical skills over theory. This is a stepping stone program for nurses who wish to further their careers; not all nurses wish to perform higher level duties (AllNursing, 2010).
   3. Some individuals must choose between the years of education and family responsibility.  Also age is a factor; for mid-life career changes a four year degree may not be an option. Money is also a deterrent for some and therefore, it would limit individual choices for loans and debt incurrence.
2. Salary considerations.
   1. Employers will have a higher budgetary responsibility if all nurses start with a four year degree.  For duties that normally would fall to a two year degree graduate, the four year degree graduate will be earning a higher salary. This is an inappropriate funding allocation. The average starting salary for a registered nurse with a two year degree is $39,000 and a four year degree person will earn $57,600 (Nursing Degree Guide, 2010).
   2. Some individuals may enter nursing for the job and not the salary; therefore, not concerned with earning a lower two year degree salary.
3. Personal choice.
   1. The two year associates degree provides hospitals and outpatients with proficiently trained nurses to manage patient care (Nursing Link, 2010). Not everyone wants to have an advanced degree.  A nurse wishing to work in outpatient care in family practice does not need the same level of training as a nurse who wants to work in an operating room in the hospital.
   2. According to Nancy Tucker, Dean of Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, there are not enough graduates entering and graduating from four year colleges program to fill the needs of nursing across the state or nation (Nursing Link, 2010).

References

AllNursing. (2010). Entry level nursing degree programs. Retrieved from http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/programs

Nursing Degree Guide. (2010). Salaries of nurses. Retrieved from http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/careers/salaries_of_nurses

Nursing Degrees. (2010). What are the different types of nursing degrees? Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-nursing-degrees.htm

Nursing Link. (2010). AND vs. BSN. Retrieved from http://nursinglink.monster.com/education/articles/3842-adn-vs-bsn