title: Non-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Registered Nurse: A Change in Critical Thinking.
abstract: With recommendations from national nursing associations and accrediting bodies to transition to an all baccalaureate prepared nurse workforce by 2020, it is important to understand the expertise that a baccalaureate degreed nurse brings to patient care. The purpose of this article is to establish the differences of a non-bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) registered nurse and a 4-year prepared nurse, as well as to identify the education and clinical trends in critical care that require a BSN-prepared nurse. The history of associate degree and diploma degree nurses is admirable and served a purpose serving up to and post World War II. In more recent years, particularly in critical care, as health care is becoming more complex, extension of technology, and pay-for-performance issues are tied to patient outcomes, it is essential the non-BSN registered nurses return to continue their education earning a BSN degree.
authors.affiliation: Constance E. McIntosh, EdD, MBA, RN, is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Ball State University School. Dr McIntosh teaches information technology courses and management/leadership in the master's program. Dr McIntosh's lines of research are school nursing, autism, and transition into practice. Cynthia M. Thomas, EdD, MS, BSN, ASN, RNc, CDONA, is an associate professor in the School of Nursing at Ball State University in Muncie Indiana. Dr Thomas teaches management/leadership in the traditional prelicensure, RN-BSN, and graduate programs. Dr Thomas's research focuses on the transition to practice, nurse leadership, autism and school nursing. Debra Siela, PhD, RN, CCNS, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K, CNE, RRT, is an associate professor in the School of Nursing at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She has experience as a critical care clinical nurse specialist. She is a coinvestigator of fall risks and family presence during resuscitation research. Dr Siela teaches across the prelicensure, graduate, and DNP programs.
authors.forename: Constance E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: Cynthia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siela
mesh_terms: D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D006801:Humans; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive