Impact of educational preparation on entry into nursing practice

There are currently three educational routes for entering nursing practice, and all three routes provide eligibility to take state examinations for registered nurse licensure. The pros and cons of each of the types of nursing education programs--associate degree, diploma, and baccalaureate in nursing--are discussed. If the current system is retained, the graduates of the different programs must be clearly identified, since their education has prepared them for different levels of responsibility, and they must be employed in appropriate roles. There are options, however, to retaining this system: implement a dual entry system with the associate degree for entry into technical nursing practice and the baccalaureate for entry into professional nursing practice, or implement a single entry system with the baccalaureate as the prerequisite for entry into nursing practice.