Nursing is concerned with promoting, maintaining and restoring health.
Professional nurses determine health status of individuals, families, and populations and make clinical decisions regarding the appropriate action to be taken. They collaborate and cooperate with other members of the health team such as the physician, social worker, physical therapist, pharmacist, and occupational therapist. Nursing plays an essential role in advocating high-quality affordable health care for all members of society and in shaping health policy. Professional nursing requires a broad background of knowledge in arts, sciences, and nursing, including clinical and cognitive skills of analysis, critical thinking, therapeutic intervention, and communication. The mission of the UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing is to provide visionary leadership to advance the practice of nursing in a dynamic environment.