The Department of Nursing offers two degree options: the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Within these degree programs, several educational tracks are available by which students may obtain their desired degree.
Philosophy of Nursing
The faculty of Cox College of Nursing and Health Sciences has chosen the following concepts to be included in the philosophy: human beings, society, health, nursing, learning and nursing education.
Human beings are unique holistic individuals by virtue of their development and lived experiences throughout the life span. Humans influence and are influenced by two interrelated forces, the internal and external environments. The internal environment consists of biological, psychosocial and spiritual factors, whereas the external environment consists of sociocultural, political, economic, physical and technologic factors. Humans have rational power and personal values that affect self, others and environment, and have a right to be treated with respect and dignity. Human beings are social beings who constitute groups, with groups forming societies.
Society, characterized by cultural norms, beliefs and mores, defines the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. While imposing some limitations, society has potential for providing to the individual benefits that might not be otherwise realized. Further, society is influenced by environmental forces that affect the individual’s rights and responsibilities, and influence an integral part of society, the healthcare delivery system.
Health is a dynamic state in which the individual is constantly adapting to changes in the internal and external environment. An state of health is viewed as a point, existing on a continuum, from wellness to illness. The meaning of health varies with the perception of each human being. The purpose of the healthcare delivery system is to assist individuals in achieving their optimal wellness, a state of healing, by utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that is sensitive to both environmental resources and constraints.
Nursing is a synergy of art and science. The science of nursing is based on principles and theories of nursing, behavioral and natural sciences, which embody knowledge, skills and professional values that are applied in a caring manner. The art of nursing, grounded in the humanities, is exemplified by the characteristics of caring that include commitment, authenticity, advocacy, responsiveness, presence, empowerment and competence. Nurses accept and respect cultural differences and develop skills to provide appropriate care.
The goals of nursing practice are to promote wellness, prevent illness, restore health, and facilitate healing. Nursing process provides the framework for decision making and problem solving. Recipients of nursing care may be individuals, families, groups or communities. Nurses practice within legal, ethical and professional standards in the healthcare delivery system. A variety of nursing roles and practice settings offer nurses the opportunity to collaborate within a complex system while making a unique contribution. As a vital humanitarian service within society, nurses function in the interrelated roles of provider, manager and leader and research consumer.
Learning is a lifelong process influenced by conditions in the environment. Evidenced by changes in behavior, learning involves development in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Students are expected to be self-directed, goal-oriented and actively involved in the learning process.
The faculty facilitates the learning process by creating a flexible environment and planning goal-oriented experiences. Respect for individuality, freedom of expression, shared decision making, and mutual trust promote reciprocal relationships and create an optimal learning environment. The faculty accepts responsibility for acting as role models and stimulating intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, self-awareness and promoting lifelong learning.
Nursing education prepares individuals to function at various levels of decision making, which range from those based on common nursing knowledge, skills and values to those that require a complex organization of these components. This can best be achieved by preparing nurses at different educational levels in an institution of higher learning. At each educational level, nurses are mutually valued for their contributions and work collaboratively to achieve unity of effort. Faculty values educational mobility and individual choice in educational pathways.
Associate degree education in nursing prepares practitioners for making decisions in the care of individuals and members of a family, group or community with common well-defined nursing diagnoses. Associate degree nurses are prepared to function in structured health care settings and to provide nursing care under established policies, procedures and protocols. Graduates of associate degree education recognize the value of accessing professional literature and applying interpreted research.
Baccalaureate degree education prepares practitioners capable of decision making in the care of individuals, families, groups and communities with complex interactions of nursing diagnoses. Baccalaureate nurses are prepared to function in structured and unstructured settings that may or may not have established policies, procedures and protocols. In addition, graduates are prepared to assume leadership roles in the provision of health care. Graduates of baccalaureate education critically integrate research findings to provide and/or improve nursing care.
The nursing faculty accepts responsibility to provide students with quality educational experiences necessary for personal and professional growth. Likewise, graduates understand the extent and limitations of their roles and are encouraged to evaluate their professional responsibilities to society on an ongoing basis. Consistent with the philosophical statements contained herein, the faculty endeavors to utilize these beliefs in all aspects of the curriculum.
