The faculty at the School of Nursing ascribe to the general philosophy and educational policy set forth by the College and The Pennsylvania State University. The faculty believe that education for nursing is best achieved under the auspices of institutions of higher education and accept accountability for the academic functions of teaching, research, and service. Beliefs shared by the faculty emphasize and support the importance of diversity and human development throughout the life span. These beliefs serve as a basis to assist individuals, families and communities to develop desirable health patterns. Human Beings .
Human beings are unique and unitary.
They are constantly evolving in the direction of increasing complexity as the individual accumulates experiences, life not only involves a fuller potential, but also offers a greater variety of behavioral repertoire. The capacity for thought and emotion enables individuals to be introspective, purposeful, and self-directed. Environment is viewed as the contextual systems in which the individual, the family, the group, and the community exist and interact. Human beings, as open systems, are in mutual, simultaneous process with the environment and continually change together during that process. Health, which fluctuates throughout the life span, is a gestalt of wellness and illness.