Mission Statement and Philosophy
Mission Statement
In accordance with the mission statement of the college, the Nursing Department serves humanity by providing a basic nursing education program that prepares graduates to become successful registered nurses who are compassionate, professional, self-motivated critical thinkers, able to assess their own strengths and weaknesses and gain the respect and support of their communities. In carrying out this mission, faculty continually strive to practice what they teach.
Philosophy
Nursing is the application of knowledge and skills to help individuals, sick or well, adapt to their health needs. The individual is a unique being of intrinsic worth and dignity, a unified whole, possessing an interrelatedness of experiences derived from biological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual needs in response to the environment. The practice of nursing is an art and a science. The registered nurse extracts from a knowledge base comprised of evidence-based and intuitive knowledge to select nursing actions. Nursing actions are directed toward assisting individuals to attain and/or maintain optimum health throughout the life span.
The Associate Degree Nurse is a generalist whose practice encompasses the interrelated roles of provider of care, coordinator/manager of care and a member within the discipline of nursing. As a provider of care, the Associate Degree Nurse gives direct nursing care to individuals with imminent health needs, with consideration of their relationship within a family, a group and a community. As a manager of care, the nurse coordinates care for groups of patients in acute, intermediate and long-term care settings. Collaboration, organization, delegation, accountability, advocacy and respect for other health care workers characterize this role. The Associate Degree Nurse adheres to and fosters professional codes of conduct. This practice is characterized by a commitment to professional growth, continuous learning and self-development.
Nursing education involves mature learners who are self-motivated and goal-directed who view the learning experiences of the program as a means of achieving goals. Learning is an ongoing process, which is progressive, cumulative, and is evidenced by behavioral change.
Nursing is an applied discipline and the nursing student must assimilate and apply information from the humanities, psychosocial sciences, nursing sciences, and physical sciences in providing nursing care for individuals. While the responsibility for learning rests primarily with the learner, it is the responsibility of the faculty member to provide an environment and experiences which promote learning and goal achievement. Opportunities in the clinical setting provide for the application of knowledge and acquisition of skills. Learning experiences are directed toward growth of independent thought and critical thinking.
The nursing curriculum combines general education and nursing education courses to provide the student with scientific knowledge, technical and interpersonal skills. The curriculum is planned to progress from education at the basic and familiar level to one of increased depth in knowledge and skill.
100% of the graduates of this nursing program will meet the following Student Learning Outcomes:
- Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.
- Communicate effectively using verbal, nonverbal, and written techniques including information and technology.
- Analyze subjective and objective assessment data to identify actual or potential health alterations.
- Evaluate outcomes of clinical decisions implemented to provide safe and effective evidenced-based nursing care.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety and knowledge.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented teaching plan to meet the learning needs of patients, families, and/or groups.
- Collaborate when planning, implementing, and evaluating care.
- Manage care through effective use of prioritization, delegation, informatics and resources.