Contemporary nursing practice means that nursing practice is changing according to needs of community. The nurses are adopting to theses changes like have higher education and having more knowledge and skills to provide better care.
Evolution in Nursing Practice
When nursing began it had very little to do with formal medical training and willingness to do the job. Florence Nightingale was one of the first nurses offering some sort of training for nurses. She gave the concept of doing tasks for patient when the patient is unable to do so. Now a days, the concept of nursing has changed by actively involving the patient to complete tasks and making the patient work independently as early as possible. “The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible” (Henderson, v, 1966).
Nursing Education: Associate vs Baccalaureate
The bachelor’s level BSNs and associate level ADNs both practice as RNs. The level of licensing is the same, and roles do overlap, but nursing leaders are adamant: ADN and BSN roles are not the same. ADN is 2 years while BSN is 4 years program. This difference is because ADN is trained mostly on clinical skills, while BSN training is focused on leadership, nursing research, management as well as clinical skills. The BSN is increasing relative to the ADN, in part due to a strong call for action by the Institute of Medicine. Many hospital now required RN to have BSN degree. Research indicates that acute care outcomes are better when a greater percentage of the staff hold the BSN – even to the point of having lower mortality rates. However, organizations are better able to make systemic change when they have more nurses with higher levels of education. Safe practice is of course fundamental, So is clinical experience with chronically and acutely ill populations across the lifespan. All RNs, moreover, are given the skills for health promotion and discharge planning. BSN programs include care coordination, team coordination, and quality assurance; this is in addition to community/ public health and research principles.
