Nursing derives its rights and responsibilities from society and is, therefore, accountable to society as well as to the individuals who comprise it. The nurse functions as a caring professional in both autonomous and collaborative professional roles, using critical thinking, ethical principles, effective communications and deliberative action to render holistic care, facilitate access to health care, and aid consumers in making decisions about their health. The consumer of nursing care may be an individual, family, group, community, or society, who all have diverse and changing needs. We believe the consumer is self-determining and has the right to an informed choice about health. All actual consumers and potential consumers, including those who are disenfranchised from the health care system, have the right of access to health care.
Environment has a significant impact on health.
Any setting in which consumers function is an appropriate environment for nursing practice. Nurses must be active in social, political, and economic arenas to shape policy that creates optimal environments for maximizing health. Health is affected by illness, disability, and dysfunction. Consumers ultimately define health for themselves and make decisions regarding it. At the School of Nursing, faculty and learners function from the perspective of the Unification Model.