Since the inception of the Associate's Degree in Nursing, there has been research and discussion as to whether this degree should continue. This is due to the adversity in skill level between the two. Current popular opinion is that the entry level into nursing should be the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which would bring the increasing complexity of the medical field and its ever-changing composition to the professional baccalaureate level. level of education can become a major factor in the safety and quality of care of their patients. This is why there has been an increase in the number of studies over the years that directly examine patient outcomes in similar situations between an associate degree in nursing (AD) and a bachelor's degree in nursing. better known as (BSN) (Fagin, 2001). New York and Texas conducted separate studies in 1996. These two studies agree that there is a significantly higher degree of medication errors and procedural errors made by registered nurses. 'AD and diploma nurses compared to BSN nurses and AD registered nurses were predicted to be accused of violations nine times more often than those with a BSN degree. These results are equivalent to those reported in the July/August 2002 issue of Nurse Educator magazine (Fagin, 2002, para. 50). Research has also shown that when there is a shortage of registered nurses at baccalaureate and higher degrees, it is putting patient safety at risk. Comparatively, in a study done at the University of Pennsylvania, they found that patients experienced a significantly lower rate of mortality and inability to recover...... middle of paper ......When the care becomes a burden: Decreased access to adequate nursing care. Retrieved from Milbank Memorial Fund: http://www.milbank.org/reports/WhenCareBecomesBurden_Fagin.pdf Giger, JN and Davidhizar, RE (December 22, 2006). Conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care: associate nurses or baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 15, 1009 - 1015. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.1990.tb01980.xGreen, (1996). (Investigation). State Department of Education/State University of New YorkJohnson, J. H. (1988). Differences in performance of nurses with baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees, and diplomas. Research in Nursing and Health, 11, 183-197. Rosseter, R.J. (March 18, 2010). Fact Sheet: The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice (Fact Sheet). Retrieved from American Association of Colleges of Nursing: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media/pdf/EdImpact.pdf