Perceptions of clinical performance differences: Bachelor of science in nursing and associate degree in nursing graduates

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine recommended an increase in the proportion of baccalaureate nurses to 80% by 2020. However, 38% of the current nursing workforce is prepared at the associate's degree, and there has been little change in this percentage in nine years. There is limited evidence on how associate degree nurses are performing clinically. This study describes the qualitative differences in clinical performance between baccalaureate and associate degree nursing graduates from the perspective of clinical nurse leaders and managers.