School of Nursing - Mission & Philosophy
Mission
The goal of the Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing is to prepare men and women for professional roles and responsibilities in health care as registered nurses. In keeping with the philosophy of Cumberland University, nursing is a distinct profession that evolves from both formal education and life experiences.
The practice of nursing is grounded in nursing science. Nursing education in a liberal arts environment is based upon the developing body of knowledge of nursing, as well as knowledge from the humanities and the social, natural, and life sciences. Nursing education at the baccalaureate level prepares students for entry-level professional practice positions in a variety of community and institutional health care settings and prepares students to become partners in interdependent, multi-disciplinary health care.
The practice of nursing is grounded in nursing science. Nursing education in a liberal arts environment is based upon the developing body of knowledge of nursing, as well as knowledge from the humanities and the social, natural, and life sciences. Nursing education at the baccalaureate level prepares students for entry-level professional practice positions in a variety of community and institutional health care settings and prepares students to become partners in interdependent, multi-disciplinary health care.
Philosophy
The School of Nursing (SON) faculty believes the BSN degree is the minimum level of educational preparation for professional nurses. The faculty also believes that nursing education should be based in the liberal arts and sciences with the majority of non-nursing education courses placed at the general core level. In keeping with these beliefs, the majority of the Scool of Nursing course hours are in nursing science. Nursing science courses are constructed to develop the student through the integration of nursing knowledge and knowledge from the humanities and the social and natural sciences.
The faculty of the SON believes that nursing education must be individualized to meet the learning needs of each student. The SON faculty also believes that innovative and flexible means of entering the program should be available. As a result, the SON admits students into the School of Nursing on, either a part-time, or full-time basis as either fully or provisionally admitted students.
The SON faculty believes the educational concepts; "transfer of learning" and "critical thinking" are more valuable than rote memorization. Since the world of nursing is evolving and rapidly changing, it is important that students learn to transfer knowledge from one situation to another while making decisions based on critical thinking specific to that situation. The SON provides nursing education that is based in practice, thus giving students an opportunity to transfer theoretical knowledge into clinical learning experiences. Faculty are committed to preparing each student so that they become practicing graduates who contribute to nursing as competent and caring professionals.
The faculty of the SON believes that nursing education must be individualized to meet the learning needs of each student. The SON faculty also believes that innovative and flexible means of entering the program should be available. As a result, the SON admits students into the School of Nursing on, either a part-time, or full-time basis as either fully or provisionally admitted students.
The SON faculty believes the educational concepts; "transfer of learning" and "critical thinking" are more valuable than rote memorization. Since the world of nursing is evolving and rapidly changing, it is important that students learn to transfer knowledge from one situation to another while making decisions based on critical thinking specific to that situation. The SON provides nursing education that is based in practice, thus giving students an opportunity to transfer theoretical knowledge into clinical learning experiences. Faculty are committed to preparing each student so that they become practicing graduates who contribute to nursing as competent and caring professionals.
Goals & Objectives
- To offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) based in the liberal arts.
- To prepare a generalist nurse who demonstrates competent clinical skills and leadership qualities through the use of transfer of learning, critical thinking, and decision-making.
- To provide opportunities for individuals with degrees and/or nursing licensure to further their educational preparation.
- To graduate professional nurses who are responsive to the changing health care needs of society.
At the conclusion of the BSN Program of Study, the graduate will be prepared to:
- Use critical thinking skills to plan and provide care for individuals, families and communities based upon the application of knowledge and research from nursing science, behavioral sciences, and natural sciences as well as the humanities;
- Use the nursing process to promote, maintain, and/or restore optimal functioning of clients on the wellness-illness continuum in a variety of health care settings;
- Communicate effectively, using a variety of strategies and teaching/learning techniques to promote and/or restore health in collaboration with the client, family caregivers, and the multidisciplinary health care team;
- Advocate a standard of client care, based on biopsychosocial needs, integrating principles of morality, law, and ethics and recognizing cultural and spiritual diversity;
- Assume a leadership role in the advancement of professional nursing, the maintenance of an effective health care delivery system, and the delivery of quality health care, while assuming responsibility for personal and professional development through life-long learning.
