Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing is considered as one of the best options for those aspiring to be nurses or present nurses who want to expand their career options. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree are eligible for different nursing jobs compared to those with only associate degree. BSN allows nurses to combine learning in the classroom with clinical training and enhance their skills, experiences and knowledge (Nurse Journal, n.d).). In this paper, I discuss how obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) will affect my practice as a professional nurse.
Available opportunities for nurses with advanced degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
As a nurse with an advanced degree (BSN Nursing), I will have access to numerous job opportunities. According to the Nurse Journal, nurses with BSN qualify for over 88% of the available jobs in nursing compared to about 37% for those with an associate degree. The journal also states that advanced nurse degree can apply for over 100 different jobs, especially after going for specialized training or earning a master’s degree (MSN) (Nurse Journal, n.d). As such, different opportunities available to me include working as a registered nurse, research nurse, occupational health nurse, public health nurse, pediatric nurse, oncology nurse, clinical nurse leader, family nurse practitioner, and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). I would work as a registered nurse before specializing as nurse anesthetist after attaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
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How advanced degree in nursing prepares a nurse anesthetist
The advanced degree in nursing will allow me to acquire knowledge, skills and practical experiences as a highly employable registered nurse. Further, it will prepare me to have a long and rewarding career in nursing as I interact with patients and their families. The need for advanced nursing degree demonstrates that I will be willing to take further steps in my education and career progression. Imperatively, the degree will prepare me for specialty training in anesthetics by going for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) (Nurse Journal, 2017). The bachelor’s degree forms the foundation for me to maximize my career potential in the nursing field since it will prepare me to earn the master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner. Working as a registered nurse before enrolling for MSN degree will enable me to get on hands experience, and ensure that I create a collaborative relationship with other healthcare professionals like dentists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists.
Role of Advanced Practice Nurses (CRNA) in increasing patient outcomes and enhancing quality of care
The role of advanced practice nurses in increasing patient outcomes has been explored in different studies. Advanced practice nurses have improved the quality of care for patients in acute care, reduced the cost of health care and enhanced access and tackling issues in the healthcare system. According to the American Academy of Nursing, advanced practice nurses that include registered and anesthetist nurses, play a significant role in ensuring that inpatients get evidence-based care and optimal interventions to enhance quality care (McCleery et al., 2014). For instance, these nurses manage acute and critically ill patients, prevent the deterioration of patients, facilitate their movement in the healthcare system, and offer continuity of care. Further, APRNs offer care in primary health settings as specialists in emergency rooms, and nursing homes among other settings to enhance the quality of care to the patients (Tracy, 2014). Imperatively, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists play a huge role in improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality of care using evidence-based practices by addressing issues like access to healthcare, social challenges like cultural practices, and other challenges that pose serious risk to the delivery of quality health care in the country.
Change of role in the healthcare environment
The role of advanced nurses like nurse anesthetists and registered nurses is bound to change in the healthcare environment because of the use of evidence-based practice and regulatory systems at both state and federal governments’ levels (Tracy, 2014). The advanced practice nurses may be required to run independent facilities and work as physicians because of the emergence of nurse practitioner facilities due to the ever-increasing shortage of physicians in the country and the need to increase access to healthcare with new legislations. The Affordable Care Act (2010) requires more Americans to buy insurance and access healthcare facilities (Massie, 2014) . Further, new policies at both state and federal government level emphasize the need for increased and evidence-based intervention at primary care settings, and thus will lead to the change of role of the advanced practice nurses as they will be required to assume more responsibilities in delivering quality care to patients (Massie, 2014) .
Making a difference in the way I practice nursing
I believe that the acquisition of the degree offers an opportunity for me to change the way I practice nursing because it provides me with both clinical training and learning in class chances that improves my knowledge and skills and getting experience. In addition, I believe that the degree will offer me an opportunity to use evidence-based practice interventions for caring for the patients and thus improve their outcomes. I also think that the degree gives me the foundation to pursue my future role of being a certified registered nurse anesthetist in the future.
Conclusion
The changes in the healthcare system imply that nurses must seek advanced training and education to position themselves better in increasing patient outcomes and improving the quality of care. As demonstrated, the acquisition of the BSN degree offers me tremendous opportunities to advance my career, offer evidence-based practice interventions, and improve the quality of care delivery in the healthcare environment.
References
Massie, M.L (2014) The Tipping Point in Health Care: Using the Full Scope of Practice of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Clinical Scholars Review, vol.7, No.1; Retrieved from http://newsroom.cumc.columbia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/CSR-Spring-2014-CRNA-restructuring-health-care-section.pdf
McCleery, E., Christensen, V., Peterson, K., Humphrey, L., & Helfand, M. (2014) Evidence Brief: The Quality of Care Provided by Advanced Practice Nurses, Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK384613/
Nurse Journal (n.d) 100 Best Things To Do With A Nursing Degree; Retrieved from https://nursejournal.org/articles/100-things-you-can-do-with-a-nursing-degree/
Nurse Journal (2017) Best Types of Nursing Degrees; Retrieved from https://nursejournal.org/articles/types-of-nursing-degrees/
Tracy, M.F. (2014) American Academy of Nursing: Improving health and health care systems with advanced practice registered nurse practice in acute and critical care settings, American Academy of Nursing ; Retrieved from http://www.nursingoutlook.org/article/S0029-6554(14)00149-3/pdf
