The question of whether higher education makes you a better nurse has been debated in the nursing profession for over 40 years. Most recently, in relation to the current challenges in healthcare, the evidence now strongly suggests that this is true. Let’s review the research and the benefits of a higher education and you can choose your answer.
The Tri-Council for Nursing (2010) has identified changes in the level of care required at the bedside. This is in tandem with the current healthcare reform initiatives that demand a higher level of academic preparation. They support the notion that with the increased complexity of the patient population, the new nursing workforce must be able to synthesize evidence based practice with critical thinking which requires a higher level of education.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report (2011) cited studies that identified a correlation between BSN levels of preparation and a reduction in nurse-sensitive indicators. These include a decrease in falls, pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, and hospital-acquired infections. The Commission on Magnet Accreditation also identified this critical link. It has changed the requirements for Magnet organizations to move to an 80 percent BSN at the bedside and a 100 percent BSN or higher for leadership positions.
The differences in baccalaureate preparation and associate or diploma programs is mainly in the depth of study and a wider range of competencies that can be applied to a more complex patient. These include the following:
Table of Contents
Critical thinking
The problem with more complex patients is that they require the ability of the nurse to think critically in the development of care plans. It encompasses a multi-level approach to care, inclusive of the science of the underlying disease process. Baccalaureate programs interlace this skill throughout the entire program.
Evidence based practice and translational research
The body of nursing research continues to grow. It is impressive that these studies and evidence are available to the nurse to make good clinical decisions. As such, it is important for nurses to be comfortable with research and to be able to access evidence to apply to the science of care at the bedside.
Leadership
All nurses are leaders. Since this is my area of expertise, leadership is a skill that can be learned and applied. Nurses who are skilled in leadership roles can effectively delegate and manage complex situations to complete work and enhance the quality of care. They also have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams which will be the bedrock for care in the future.
Healthcare policy
There has never been a time in nursing where the understanding of healthcare policy has been more important than now. It is critical that nurses understand the laws and the application of the laws that may impact the availability of resources and hence the quality of care at the bedside.
Quality improvement
If you were going to get on an airplane, you would want that airplane to be safe and that you would land without injury at your destination. However, the pathetic truth in healthcare is that more patients die due to mistakes and inappropriate treatment that is a far greater number than multiple airline crashes.
In my opinion, every patient that is injured has suffered a personal airplane crash. That is unacceptable! It is an unnecessary waste of human life. Understanding the importance of quality improvement and applying these concepts is vital to saving the lives of those we serve.
Public health
Changes in the healthcare law and the movement to Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) and Value Based Purchasing require nurses to become familiar with the entire continuum of care from the office to home to the acute setting. Academic programming of the past has focused on the acute phase of care when the other two phases may be more important and proactive in the modern healthcare approach.
If I have not convinced you of the benefits of higher education, let’s look at the personal advantages to higher learning by exploring the following:
Increased level of confidence
An increased level of confidence is important because it relates to the way we feel about ourselves and our accomplishments. Higher levels of academic preparation enhance our perceptions of ourselves and increase our confidence in the ability to effectively execute our roles.
Safety in care delivery
Throughout my 39 years of work in hospitals and healthcare systems, I have never met a nurse who was not concerned about the quality of care they deliver. This translates into safety. The more education we have as practitioners, the more information we have to make better decisions in the clinical setting.
Personal pride in accomplishment
Think back to how proud you were of yourself and your accomplishments when you graduated from your nursing program. Achieving higher degrees will renew those feelings. When I think back on all of my graduations from my educational journey, I relive those feelings of accomplishment and pride.
Increased job opportunities
It is clear that if you aspire to get promoted, you will need to achieve a higher degree. If you love the clinical area you may consider DNP or NP programs. If you are interested in higher leadership opportunities, you certainly need to pursue at least a Master’s level of preparation. As previously mentioned, in Magnet organizations, a BSN is the minimal level of preparation in leadership positions.
I have always been of the opinion that we all aspire to be the best that we can be. It is time to explore your future desires for yourself and your career and to craft a plan to get you there. Without a doubt, it will probably include pursuit of a higher degree.