Philosophy

Baccalaureate nursing education provides a broad foundation in the sciences and liberal arts necessary for preparing professional nurses who are capable of practicing in a competent and responsible fashion as informed citizens in a global society. Graduates of the baccalaureate nursing program are expected to embody the professional identity of the nurse and to demonstrate competencies consistent with being a critical thinker; a culturally sensitive individual; a knowledgeable care coordinator who embraces and uses technology effectively; an effective communicator; an accountable leader and manager who understands the regulatory environments that affect professional nursing; and a competent care provider who is prepared to practice to the full capacity of the professional nurse role in diverse care environments. Baccalaureate graduates partner with individuals, families, communities, and populations in attaining mutually established health goals and in facilitating their highest level of functioning and the maximization of their health potential. Baccalaureate nursing education must prepare graduates to be in the forefront of patient care quality and safety and to design and develop more efficient approaches to the delivery of health care services as full partners on the healthcare team.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Outcomes

1. A critical thinker who demonstrates intellectual engagement and uses evidence as a basis for clinical reasoning and decision making.
2. A culturally sensitive individual who provides holistic individual-, family-, community-, and population-centered nursing care.
3. A knowledgeable care coordinator who facilitates access to resources across the continuum of health care environments in order to meet the evolving health care needs of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
4. An individual who understands and considers the impact of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on care delivery.
5. An individual who embodies the professional identity of the nurse and who translates the inherent values of the nursing profession into the ethical and legal practice of nursing.
6. An effective communicator who collaborates with interprofessional team members, patients, and their support systems for improved health outcomes.
7. A competent care provider who is prepared to practice to the full capacity of the professional nurse role in diverse health care environments.
8. An accountable leader and manager who applies principles of systems and organizational processes and who balances resources to promote quality care and patient safety.
9. An individual who embraces and employs innovations in information management and technology in the delivery of quality patient care.