Nursing education and training is being questioned as the debate continues what is the most effective way to prepare nurses for the demands of the 21st Century (Newland, 2008). The article by Roberta J. Emerson, On Becoming a Nurse presents
The Education Debate
Nursing is an active profession that continues to change and grow. (Francis, 2008). The history of nursing is extensive and has therefore significantly influenced nursing preparation over time and the current form of the profession today. Therefore it comes as no surprise that in recent times, the way in which today’s nurses are prepared has been heavily focused on in Australia (Francis, 2008). As a result nursing education and training is being questioned as the debate continues what is the most effective way to prepare nurses for the demands of the 21st Century (Newland, 2008). The article by Roberta J. Emerson, ‘On Becoming a Nurse’ presents a number of arguments towards the debate. Arguments from the article include; why training nurses is no long appropriate, why the terms education and training are not the same and why education prepares nurses for the 21st century more efficiently than training. In light of this information, this essay will argue the main reasons as to why education better prepares nurses for the demands of the 21st century when compared to training.
Today, people generally enter a workplace either educated or trained. Consequently in nursing there is an ongoing dispute as to whether education or training better prepares nurses (Newland, 2008). Education and training have two different meanings and therefore develop nurses in different ways. It is evident, however, that the knowledge and competencies of nurses are a result of education (Rosseter, 2012). As the role of a nurse encompasses many qualities, abilities and skills; nurses are responsible for assuring patients receive an exceedingly high standard of care which is achieved through the use of knowledge and thus education (Vallano, 2006). There is significant, research and data supporting the preparation of nurses through educatios. Firstly, one study found that nurses who undertook education at a bachelor level have better communication and problem solving skills (Johnson, 1988) and also a higher aptitude in their ability to evaluate and diagnose patients (Giger & Davidhizar, 1990). Secondly, a further research also shows that nurses who are prepared at the university education level develop stronger professional-level skills after completion. Thirdly, another study of nurse graduates showed, students demonstrated higher proficiency in nursing practice, communication, leadership, the integration of professionalism, and research (Phillips, et al., 2002). Lastly, data also shows that different health care services have better patient outcomes and significantly lower mortality rates when they have a staff of highly educated nurses. Additionally, the education of nurses has enabled nursing to achieve a long awaited accomplishment of becoming an established profession and a vital component of health services today (Gebbie, 2009). To maintain this profession, nurses must be educated. Education has also been seen to develop what training cannot.
