Nursing Practice Today

Contemporary Nursing
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Contemporary Nursing
Owing to the advancements in healthcare, technology, and a growing emphasis on patient-centered care, the field of nursing has changed with time. With the changes, there has been a divergence in the competencies between various specializations in the profession that stretch back to the type of training accorded to different specializations. For example, there are differentiated competencies between associate (ADN) and baccalaureate (BSN) education in nursing, and nursing care and decision-making differ between ADN and BSN nurses in their approach to a specific client care situation. Notably, the importance of delivering evidence-based and collaborative care remains a key cornerstone of nursing as a profession.
Evolution of Nursing
Nursing emerged as a profession that was primarily focused on providing basic bedside care for patients following the physician’s orders. However, the emergence of nursing research and the recognition of the role of nurses in determining the quality of patient care has inspired the expansion of the roles and responsibilities of a nurse. In addition to providing care, contemporary nurse professionals have a wider scope of practice that includes independent decision-making, critical thinking, and a proactive role in patient care (Nibbelink & Brewer, 2018). Modern nurses are expected to adopt responsibilities such as care coordination, patient advocacy, and health promotion among others that were not historically associated with the practice of nursing.
Notably, the evolution in practice has also led to a shift in how nurses view patients. As opposed to viewing patients as recipients of medical intervention, modern nurses consider patients as unique individuals with complex needs. When taking care of a patient, contemporary nurses must consider the physical, emotional, social, and cultural aspects of patients and recognize that these factors influence health outcomes (Turkel, Watson, & Giovannoni, 2018). Nursing practice today emphasizes a holistic and patient-centered approach that focuses on individualized care plans to address the whole person rather than just the disease or condition.
ADN versus BSN Nurses
The scope of practice and competency of a nurse largely depend on their education and levels of competence. Notably, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) program have distinct differences in the practice competencies. ADN programs provide foundational knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level nursing practice and heavily focus on the technical aspects of nursing (Loversidge et al., 2018). Some of the competencies of ADN nurses include medication administration, basic assessments, and patient care. Comparatively, BSN programs offer a more comprehensive education that includes a broader understanding of nursing practice. In addition to technical skills, BSN nurses receive additional training in nursing research, evidence-based practice, public health, leadership, and management among other areas. To this end, BSN education seeks to equip learners with the essential skills that allow them to offer complex coordinated care t...