We believe that professional nursing is a science and art built on a framework of
ethical and professional standards. Our knowledge of nursing science, practice and
scholarship, incorporates life experiences and builds upon the work of liberal arts
and science. Its core values include:
- Caring
- Altruism
- Autonomy
- Human dignity
- Integrity
- Social justice
- Respect and acceptance of diversity
Nursing’s unique body of knowledge incorporates life experiences and builds upon theories
and principles from the liberal arts and sciences, as well as from nursing science,
practice, and scholarship. The faculty believe that nursing is an autonomous and collaborative
discipline that practices within a framework of ethical and professional standards.
As members of a practice discipline, nurses provide care in a variety of roles to
clients in diverse settings, such as in the role of care provider, designer, manager
and coordinator of care to clients.
As members of a profession, nurses have a commitment to professional development and
life-long learning. At the master’s level, nurses are prepared for advanced roles
as nurse educator, leader and clinician. At the doctorate level, nurses implement
advanced roles as clinician, scholar, leaders, consultants and policy makers as system
level change agents.
Through the use of critical thinking, therapeutic communication and technical skills,
nurses, using systematic approaches, assist clients in meeting health care needs.
- At the undergraduate level, professional nurses are prepared to assess health care
needs, to design nursing care, and to provide, manage, and evaluate health care.
Building upon undergraduate education, graduate programs prepare professional nurses
for advanced nursing roles as family nurse practitioners and nurse educators.
- Nurse educators facilitate the teaching-learning process of individuals and groups
in a variety of settings.
- Family nurse practitioners provide primary care across the life span.
- At the doctorate level, advanced practice nurses are able to work with individual
health concerns, as well as diverse population groups and systems to promote improved
health outcomes.