Introduction
The future of nursing is predicted to have an increased proportion of registered nurses (RNs) with baccalaureate (BS) degrees or higher levels. Thus, this paper reviewed three articles; the first one by Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) on the occupational outlook of all registered nurses in the United States of America in terms of their employment numbers. The second document was by Ochieze, Fant, & Lee, (2021). This article provided a comprehensive literature review of published documents on the relationships between BSN-Prepared nurses and healthcare outcomes for patients. Lastly, it analyzed the recent changes in nursing practice & education systems by Keypath Education (2020), to assess the trends.
Overview of the Main Focus
There has been compelling evidence showing better patient outcomes in health facilities with larger proportions of nurses with BS-level certificates. This is documented in the RN4CAST-US hospital nurse surveys of 2015 and 2016. The study assessed the relationship between hospital nurse educational level and patient survival with better cerebral performance after cardiac arrest. Evidence indicated that a higher proportion of BS-prepared nurses in hospitals showed a significant effect on lower patient mortality rates (Ochieze et al., 2021). Further, reduced patient’s period of stay, lower readmission, less failure to rescue, and greater chances of healing from cardiac arrest are possible. It contributed to the evidence on safety and the need to enhance access to baccalaureate-level education among nurses.
Summary of the Topic
The findings by the sources used and postulations from the authors suggest that hospitals and other health facilities with higher percentages of nurses with baccalaureate level education have greater odds of patients surviving. Further, healthcare systems that prefer to hire nurses with BS and invest in evidence-based medic staffing could realize improvements in hospital performance (Ochieze et al., 2021). This is believable due to the fact that the conclusions were deduced from scientific research. Additionally, their findings are consistent with a substantial body of evidence that has shown better results for patients in clinics with a higher fraction of medics with BS. The honest opinion is that the BS-level training will enhance the professional, organizational, managerial, and expertise standards of the nurses to be more responsible, understand their roles and be able to provide quality service to the public.
Implications
Many colleges and universities have invested in being part of changes in nursing for the future and preparing the new generation of nurses. Therefore, accredited institutions have started offering flexible online programs to accommodate those who are working and decided to further their education. This has made it easy and accessible for nurses working irregular shifts and longer hours (Keypath Education, 2020). In addition, BS training now incorporates advanced and complex technology, innovation, strategy, and management to create healthcare leaders among graduates.
Conclusion
Evidence shows better patient outcomes in health facilities that have many nurses with BS-level education. Studies have shown a relationship between nurses’ educational level and patient survival as BS-prepared nurses have a significant effect on lowing patient mortality rate. This has prompted accredited higher learning institutions to start offering flexible online programs to accommodate those who are working and decided to further their education. Consequently, making it easy and accessible for nurses working irregular shifts and long hours. Further, BS training now includes advanced and sophisticated technology, remodelling, blueprint, and organization to create healthcare leaders among nurses.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Occupational outlook handbook, registered nurses. Web.
Keypath Education. (2020). Recent changes in nursing practice & education. Global Health Education. Web.
Ochieze, F., Fant, G., & Lee, M. A. (2021). Relationships between BSN-Prepared nurses and healthcare outcomes in hospitalized patients: A literature review. TWU Student Journal, 1 (1). Web.
Despite the lack of consistent evidence, many nursing administrators want nurses prepared at the bacca-laureate (BS) level. Chief nursing officers (CNOs) in academic health centers preferred hiring more RNs with BS degrees; they had an average of 51% BS-prepared nurses and desired 71%.