Mission, Philosophy & Program Objectives
The nursing faculty believes that nursing is an academic discipline and profession, which is supported by concepts and theories of nursing, liberal arts, and the sciences. Nursing encompasses skills and empathetic caring. The nature of nursing is dynamic and evolving. The goal of nursing is to promote health and to assist individuals/groups throughout life to attain quality of life by responding to health needs, transitions, and problems.
Health is one of the major domains of the discipline of nursing. Health is the state of holistic soundness,which is subject to the individual's perception as well as sociocultural norms. Health is an expression of the interaction between individuals/groups, and the environment.
Individuals are holistic beings with interdependent and simultaneous physical, psychological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. Values, beliefs, and capabilities that are shaped by both innate and environmental factors characterize individuals. Individuals are uniquely shaped throughout life through continued interaction with the environment. Thus, communication occurs in an interpersonal and symbolic manner such that shared practices and beliefs contribute to common characteristics among individuals who belong to specified groups. Individuals are entitled to dignity, respect, and nursing care that are relevant and meaningful to that individual, their family an/or their specified group.
The faculty believes that nursing education is theory and experience-based in both health and illness management, and that it is a dynamic and interactive process of study and practice. Students and faculty are both essential to this interactive process; both contribute and learn from each other in an environment of mutual respect. Nursing education is based on the development of cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. We believe that the goals of education should be the development of intellectual inquisitiveness, analytical thinking, and critical judgment. Critical thinking is the framework for effective communication,competent delivery of care, promotion and sharing of research, and professional accountability, leadership,and responsibility.
Learning is the experience of acquiring knowledge, insight, and skills. In an academic community, learning involves a sharing of knowledge and experiences, as well as mastery of content in an environment sustained by mutuality. The faculty believes that learning brings about immediate and lifelong changes in the learner. The learner is accountable and responsible for participation in ongoing professional development.
Professional nursing education begins at the baccalaureate level. The concept of caring is the foundation for the preparation of the novice practitioner of nursing at the baccalaureate level. Caring is incorporated with the concepts of communication, critical thinking, professionalism, cultural competence, and role competency as core concepts with the curriculum. A theoretical foundation in the principles of growth and development, basic human needs, diversity, teaching and learning, the nursing process and pharmacology are also integrated into the curriculum. The B.S.N. program provides general and professional learning experiences. It builds critical thinking skills and theoretical perspectives for professional nursing practice. The program prepares leaders who practice as providers of care for individuals and for aggregates and groups in multiple and diverse settings. The curriculum emphasizes theories unique to nursing, the utilization of research for practice; and provides a basis for graduate education in nursing.
Graduate education at the master's level builds on the theory and practice skills of baccalaureate nursing education. Critical thinking, specialized knowledge, and skills unique to advanced nursing practice are expectations of the masters-prepared nurse and are an integral part of the program. The utilization and analysis of theoretical perspectives and research are promoted throughout the graduate curriculum. These concepts are emphasized in specific coursework and applied in the practice setting. The program prepares the graduate as a health care leader, consultant, and advanced practice nurse.