[PWUstudent]

hi to everyone. im having difficulties doing our nursing research. this is my first time to do a thesis. my topic is about the proficiency in giving bedside care by the graduates of a diploma program and the basic degree program students. who performs better? i dont know where to search for related and foreign literature. i dont know what to look for and where. my head is already aching. if any of you have any bright ideas, opinions or knowledge about this topic, please feek free to reply or make a comment (without being bias of course). will appreciate your help. deadline is fast approaching..tnx

[sirjimalot]

A degree is just a piece of paper... either of them could better bedside care...

learning about it in class and actually doing it are two different things..

[Tweety]

There was a widely distributed article that stated that BSN prepared nurses had better outcomes than ADN nurses.

Educational Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality
Linda H. Aiken, PhD, RN; Sean P. Clarke, PhD, RN; Robyn B. Cheung, PhD, RN; Douglas M. Sloane, PhD; Jeffrey H. Silber, MD, PhD


JAMA. 2003;290:1617-1623.

Here is an excellent critique of the above research: http://allnurses.com/forums/1379680-post3.html


The above study and any study you find is seriously flawed. I would pick another topic and fast. There are no legit studies that prove one way or another.

A discussion. http://allnurses.com/forums/f8/does-...sn-132809.html

[linzz]

I agree with Tweety, choose a new topic. I have a degree that I obtained when I was twenty one and I always found that finding credible research articles will be challenging enough even with a topic that has been well researched over time.

[llg]

I strongly agree -- pick another topic.

The first problem encountered in researching your question is that you have to define what "better care" actually is. Then you have to find a way to measure it that is both valid and reliable. To date, no one has done that. There is no concensus within the nursing profession -- and unless you are prepared to spend the next several years developing a conceptual definition, an operational definition, and a measuring tool ... you are not going to find the answer.

Even after all of that, the topic is such a politically sensitive one that anyone who offers an answer is immediately attacked by the proponents of the programs that are considered to be "less than the best."

The wise move for a student is to choose a topic that will take you somewhere you are prepared to handle.