The philosophy statement of the faculty explicitly demonstrates the values of the faculty in relation to the concepts of persons, interacting with environment, health, nursing, and nursing education. The person is a unique, dynamic, holistic being that possesses the right to self-determination. Throughout life, persons interact with the reality of their environment to construct meaning, gain knowledge, and make decisions. Health encompasses the whole individual and is a reflection of ongoing human-environment interactions. Understanding and appreciating cultural diversity promotes a global view of health and the connectedness of humankind.
Nursing is an art, a science, and a profession.
The art of nursing encompasses caring for and about self and others. The science of nursing is characterized by the use of scientific problem solving, clinical competence, communication skills, critical thinking, therapeutic interventions, accountability, and commitment to providing a safe, nurturing environment for those receiving nursing care. The profession of nursing is committed to research, education, practice and collaboration with other health care professionals for health promotion, restoration and illness prevention. Learning occurs as a transaction between the person and the learning environment. The knowledge and skill base for nursing is acquired through interactions and experiences which occur in the learning environment of academic and clinical practice settings.