Differences in patient rating of care provided by BSN and ADN students

Nursing has discussed widely and with fervor the level of education required to provide quality nursing care for clients. No clear consensus has developed but studies tend to show that especially in the hospital setting, baccalaureate (BSN) and associate degree (ADN) nurses initially practice at a similar level. No studies identified compared patient ratings of BSN and ADN nurses. In this study ratings of care provided by BSN and ADN students were compared. Patients, students and instructors rated the student sample using Watson's Patient Satisfaction Rating Scale. Using Pearson correlations and t-tests, the overall satisfaction with care was assessed as "very positive" by patients, faculty and students alike. A significant correlation was found between faculty and patient ratings. Results support earlier findings and demonstrate similarities rather than differences in care provided by the two levels of students. Implications for nursing education and practice are discussed.