Undergraduate educational opportunities are designed to prepare beginning nurses at the associate or baccalaureate degree level. The associate graduate functions in the beginning nurse positions in structured health care settings. The baccalaureate graduate functions and collaborates with other health team members in the total health plan for clients in complex settings. Graduate educational programs provide advanced nursing practice preparation at the master s and doctoral levels. Graduates with a master s degree are expected to exert effective leadership in improvement of nursing practice and care outcomes.
Doctoral graduates develop skills consistent with the beginning nurse scholar.
Associate education prepares the graduate to collaborate with others in the health care setting in the application of the problem-solving process, including participation in research studies under the direct guidance of professional practitioners. Associate education incorporates a base of biological and social sciences, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary for practice in beginning nurse positions in structured health care settings. Baccalaureate education in nursing provides the broad foundation in the sciences and humanities necessary for preparing professional nurses competent in assessing nursing needs and in providing nursing interventions. The baccalaureate graduate demonstrates leadership behaviors by evaluating current nursing practice, applying research findings, and developing new approaches. The graduate functions as a responsible informant of health practice and collaborates with other health team members in the total health plan for clients.