Philosophy
The philosophy of the Division of Nursing is based upon the Neuman Systems Model as it relates to the accepted concepts of the nursing profession: client/client system, environment, health, and nursing.
Client/Client System:
The faculty believes that the client/client system is an open system and is either an individual, family, group, and/or community system. A client system is viewed as dynamic in nature; having physiologic, psychologic, socio-cultural developmental, safety and spiritual needs which interact with internal and external environments. Nursing intervenes with clients experiencing stressors along the health illness continuum through the levels of prevention.
Environment:
The Faculty believes that the environment is a dynamic system composed of diverse social, cultural, spiritual, and physical elements. These elements influence and are influenced by the interaction of economic, legal, technological, and political forces. The client/client system and the environment reciprocally effect each other and create change. Nursing must be responsive to these changes in order to meet health needs.
Health:
The Faculty believes that health is the successful adaptive response of the client/client system to internal and external stressors that effect biophysical and psychosocial equilibrium. Illness occurs when the client's adaptive response is unsuccessful. Nursing anticipates the health needs of clients by actively participating in the promotion of health and the prevention of illness. Nursing responds to changes in health status by intervening to assist the person to regain health, achieve maximum functioning, or die with dignity.
Nursing:
The Faculty believes that nursing is the art and the science of assisting clients to meet needs in health and illness and to adapt to stressors throughout the life cycle. The art of nursing is skilled application of that knowledge characterized by humanistic values of caring, cooperation, collaboration, and accountability. The science of nursing is the acquisition of knowledge derived from history, theories, and research.
Philosophy of Nursing Education:
The Faculty ascribes to the Neuman Systems Model as the framework for nursing education. The Neuman Systems Model provides an organizing link throughout the curriculum.
Learning is an active and continuous process which involves the integration of cognitive, affective and psychomotor experiences which results in behavioral changes. Learning progresses from simple to complex. The process of teaching and learning requires a strong collaborative relationship between Faculty and student in order to facilitate critical thinking.
The Faculty believes that the student is ultimately responsible for learning. However, this process is facilitated by Faculty skilled in creating a climate that enhances learning. The Faculty recognizes the diversity in the student population, strives to provide a variety of learning opportunities, and encourages learning as a lifelong process.
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