Introduction
Nursing as a complex field of healthcare includes both various specialties and different specialist training programs. The qualification of junior medical employees largely depends on the type of education received, and career advancement is usually accompanied by obtaining additional certificates and diplomas. When assessing the most common degrees, one can distinguish such as a bachelor’s and master of nursing. The representatives of both educational levels have the right to participate in the provision of care services, but in general, their practices vary. This work aims to describe the differences between the activities of nurses with a master’s and bachelor’s degree.
The practice of Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses
A Bachelor of Nursing is a junior academic degree awarded to graduates in higher education. According to Chamberlain University (2015), specialists with this title have enough knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive care at the individual, family, aggregate, and community levels. In addition, graduates with this degree are allowed to participate in research work and continue their studies. However, bachelors of nursing cannot rely on leadership positions and access to clinical administration or policymaking. A bachelor’s certificate with honors opens up additional opportunities for its holder, for instance, admission to senior master’s courses. At the same time, any certified bachelors of nursing can obtain a further step, master’s, which provides more possibilities and privileges.
The practice of Master’s-Prepared Nurses
A master’s degree is more prestigious than that of a bachelor’s and creates more opportunities for nursing practice. Massimi et al. (2017) argue that professionals with this qualification have sufficient knowledge and skills to do additional work besides care services. In the Chamberlain University nursing conceptual framework, a list of possible activities is given – administration, participation in the compilation and promotion of educational courses, the development of innovations in informatics, as well as advanced clinical practice (Chamberlain University, 2015). Obtaining this degree is a step towards a doctorate. A wider range of opportunities is one of the main features that distinguish the two levels of education considered.
Basic Differences
When comparing two educational nursing degrees, one can observe key differences in opportunities and powers. Firstly, the area of ​​administration and leadership is the prerogative of a higher category, while basic care is the responsibility of bachelors. Secondly, masters have the right to participate in policymaking and the development of educational methods, and at a lower level, research is the only possible type of scientific activity.
Finally, the prospects for development also differ since, for bachelors, there are fewer opportunities for successful career growth, although graduates with honors have good chances for further education, skipping the initial stages of a master’s degree. At the same time, both educational categories train professional specialists, and the list of obligations and authorities is not a clear indicator of a person’s individual qualification or professionalism.
Conclusion
Despite the equally high-quality training of specialists, the bachelor’s and master’s programs of study provide graduates with different opportunities, which is expressed in the list of powers. At a lower level, nursing practice is limited to providing care at different levels and research. A master’s degree allows employees to participate in the administration, clinical activities, as well as policymaking. At the same time, diplomas with honors are appreciated significantly, although a particular certificate cannot unambiguously reflect the professionalism of an employee. As a result, opportunities and powers are the key differences between the two nursing degrees in question.
References
Chamberlain University. (2015). Chamberlain University academic catalog. Web.
Massimi, A., Marzuillo, C., Di Muzio, M., Vacchio, M. R., D’Andrea, E., Villari, P., & De Vito, C. (2017). Quality and relevance of master degree education for the professional development of nurses and midwives. Nurse Education Today, 53, 54-60. Web.