by Studies were conducted to investigate the connection between higher education and the quality of the nurse practice.
The results showed that registered nurses who have higher educational degrees are less likely to make medication errors and have more positive patient outcomes alongside lower mortality rates.
There are more studies with the same results, so let’s have a quick look at the most influential studies.
In 2013, the March issue of Health Affairs brought the article by Ann Kutney-Lee and authors based on their research.
The research showed a link between a 10% increase of nurses with BSN and an average reduction of 2.12 deaths on every 1.000 patients.
Additionally, the average reduction of 7.47 per 1.000 patients with severe complications was noticed.
In 2013, the February issue of the Journal of Nursing administration focused on the cross-sectional study of 21 University Health system Consortium hospitals.
Mary Blegen and authors found that the higher percentage or RNS with BSN or MSN had lower rates in congestive heart failure, mortality, failure to rescue, decubitus ulcers, pulmonary embolism, and shorter length of hospital stay.
An improvement in a nurses’ workload by one patient raised the possibility of a negative outcome within 30 days of hospital admission by 7% (odds ratio 1.068, 95% CI 1.031–1.106).
For every 10% growth of the nurses with BSN there, the possibilities for negative outcomes were decreased by 7%.
The cumulative results showed that patients in hospitals with at least 60% of nurses with BSN, an where one nurse is in charge for the maximum of six patients, have 30% lower death rates compared to the hospitals in which there are 30% of nurses with BSN and one nurse takes care of eight patients.
The results show that staffing cuts with money-saving goals can lead to an increase in negative patient outcomes.
Highlighting higher nursing education might help in preventing higher mortality rates and improve outcomes.
In 2012, the October issue of Medical Care brought the results of the study conducted by the researcher from the University of Pennsylvania.
The results showed that surgical patients in Magnet hospital had 14% lower chances of inpatient death in 30 days.
Also, there were 12% lower odds of failure to rescue from the surgical patients in non-magnet hospitals.
The authors of the study linked the results with the large investments in highly educated stuff in Magnet hospitals, which have more BSN nurses.
All studies conducted on this issue have compatible results and showed that hospitals with a higher proportion of BSN prepared nurses are safest than hospitals with Associate or diploma educated nurses.
The results emphasize the need for higher nursing education and the importance of highly educated staff.
Most healthcare facilities accept the nurses with Associate’s degrees, but nurses with BSN have better job opportunities for long-term employment and career development.
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