ERIC Number: ED214616
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1981
Pages: 9
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Role Preparation of Associate Degree Graduates.
Stokes, Lillian G.
The role of associate degree nursing (ADN) programs has changed dramatically in their 30 years of existence. The number of ADN graduates increased from 260 in 1954 to 36,434 in 1980, and 47.8% of all nursing graduates in 1980 came from ADN programs, as compared to 0.9% in 1954. These graduates have the best record of employment five years after graduation of any nursing graduates and tend to obtain work and remain within their community. An ADN graduate is a nurse who is prepared in two years to provide direct patient care, and his/her current role as a provider of care, communicator, teacher, manager, and member of the nursing profession can be contrasted with earlier and less specifically defined roles, especially in terms of assistance, supervision, and evaluation of nursing care. The ADN graduate can best be utilized in the provision of direct patient care, which is the heart of nursing practice. In the future development of ADN programs, educators should not lose sight of the primary goal of such programs, that is, to prepare sensitive, caring technicians who are skilled and competent in providing patient care. Nursing service administrators should promote the development of ADN programs through the provision of structured orientation and through support of continuing education opportunities for ADN graduates. (HB)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper prepared for the Associate Degree in Nursing Celebration.