Research Analysis
When it comes to the issue of patient safety, qualifications and competence of nurses and caregivers go over and above the threshold of certification. The issue of patient safety is complex, complicated and dynamic as it includes both theoretical and practical aspects (Jiang, Lavaysse, & Probst, 2018). A bachelor’s degree program trained nurse (BSN) is better qualified and better placed to handle patient safety issue than an associate degree in nursing program (ADN) nurse. For a start, the concept of patient safety outcomes goes beyond putting in place all measures to ensure that the patient is safe as it also includes the rate of success of those measures (Ball et al., 2018). Olds et al. (2017) reports on a primary research which established that on a practical basis, patient safety levels for BSN nurses were superior to those of ADNs. Conversely, Aiken et al. (2018) report findings that hospitals in Europe are seeking to increase BSN nurses to about 80% of the total due to patient safety considerations.
Reflection
Based on my experience in nursing, I do agree with the findings reflected in the research studies addressed above. Patient safety outcomes are not just important but also complicated. In my experience, patient safety is not often compromised by professional negligence or incompetence but rather a conjunction of a variety of contingencies or coincidence. For example, everything will have been done in the right way but seemingly unforeseeable factors come into play and patient safety is compromised. BSNs are trained inter alia on several theories, concepts and strategies of foreseeing and providing for safety contingencies and coincidences, and this augments my belief that they are superior to ADNs when it comes to safety outcomes. The ADN may be able to take care of patients just as much as the BSN would, but I belief that they have a better understanding of theoretical issues such as best practices, coordination between different professions and patient handing over procedures. Considering the available research, it is evident that BSNs are preferred over ADNs when it comes to patient safety outcomes.
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References
Aiken, L. H., Cerón, C., Simonetti, M., Lake, E. T., Galiano, A., Garbarini, A., ... & Smith, H. L. (2018). Hospital nurse staffing and patient outcomes. Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes , 29 (3), 322-327
Ball, J. E., Bruyneel, L., Aiken, L. H., Sermeus, W., Sloane, D. M., Rafferty, A. M., ... & RN4Cast Consortium. (2018). Post-operative mortality, missed care and nurse staffing in nine countries: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies , 78 , 10-15
Jiang, L., Lavaysse, L. M., & Probst, T. M. (2018). Safety climate and safety outcomes: A meta-analytic comparison of universal vs. industry-specific safety climate predictive validity. Work & Stress , 1-17
Olds, D. M., Aiken, L. H., Cimiotti, J. P., & Lake, E. T. (2017). Association of nurse work environment and safety climate on patient mortality: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies , 74 , 155-161
