Does the nurse of the twenty-first century need a degree or diploma to carry out his/her role? why or why not?

Is this a really question? Of course a nurse needs a degree! How is he/she supposed to learn procedures, symptoms, treatment and outcomes, drugs and drug interactions without a degree? You don't learn this stuff by osmosis!! It takes years of study.

You will make the most money if you get your bachelor's degree. Nursing is a growing field, and it is a job that's in high demand. A degree will give you much more freedom to work the job you want to work and where you want to work. Good luck!

Of course.

I think what you're getting at here is "are BSN educated nurses better than Associate Degree or Diploma graduate nurses?"

My answer to that is both yes and no. I say yes because with a BSN, you are more fully educated, and you learn more about leadership, management, research, public health, etc.

But I also say no, because Associate Degree programs (as well as the now-rare 3 year Diploma programs) fully educate you on the basic necessities of professional nursing practice. All graduates, regardless of the degree level, must learn the same fundemental core of knowledge and they pass the same exact licensing exam.

There are nurses who only have a two year degree that are marvelously talented professionals. And there are also nurses with BSNs who have no bedside manner, very little common sense, and are truly not cut out to be a nurse because while they may be book-smart and do well academically, in the job setting they cannot synthesize the information to perform the job well.

The degree you hold does not always accurately demonstrate your true abilities. I do not believe one bit that holding a BSN automatically makes you a better nurse.

not necessarily a college degree, but you have to go to at least nursing school and pass any required licensing tests there