A caring attitude is considered by the faculty to be respectful, empathetic, and sensitive. This means that the nurse uses these qualities to act as a patient advocate to improve quality of life. Effective communication is the foundation for developing therapeutic relationships for the purpose of providing patient care and collaborating with other members of the health care team. Communication is defined as having both oral and written components and includes the critical thinking skills involved in comprehending and interpreting the written word. Nurses must be able to speak and document clearly to be effective.
Professionalism is a key component of nursing.
Nurses are expected to demonstrate accountability for their own behaviors while adhering to the Standards of Professional Nursing Practice and the Code of Ethics for Nursing. A professional nurse is one who demonstrates pro- active leadership while collaborating with other members of the healthcare team in a collegial manner. The faculty believes professionalism includes conveying non-verbal messages by personal appearance. By understanding these messages the nurse is able to present the image of a competent and caring leader. Graduates are prepared to accept responsibility for their professional behaviors.