Among popular health care professions in the United States, nursing is unique because it offers a variety of educational pathways in which one can obtain licensure beginner level. Nursing students have several options for how they want to become a nurse: the diploma in nursing, the associate degree in nursing, or the bachelor of science in nursing. The healthcare system is constantly evolving, which requires healthcare professionals to be well trained; “…care must be linked to identified patient outcomes; that the practice is a factual basis; and that providers are accountable for the care provided. Registered nurses, who represent the largest number of health care providers, must be competent workers who provide care based on best practices” (Delaney & Piscopo, 2007). Having well-trained nurses with the right types of skills will benefit overall safety. and the superiority of a transformed health system. According to author Karen Pennington, "approximately 50% of the practicing nursing workforce, comprised of registered nurses with associate's degrees...