Mission Statement
The Department of Nursing at Southern Arkansas University supports the
missions statement, goals, and objectives of the University. The mission
of the Department of Nursing is to provide students with opportunities for
intellectual growth, cultivation of skills for critical thinking, and the
communication
and skill development for career preparation in a global
environment. The Department of Nursing is committed to meeting regional
health care needs by preparing graduates who demonstrate competency as health
care practitioners.
Philosophy of the Department of Nursing
The Department of Nursing clearly differentiates two types of nursing
programs. They are:
- Associate degree nursing education prepares the graduate to function as
a beginning practitioner providing direct care to persons as individuals and
members of a family/group in a structured and unstructured health care
setting.
- Baccalaureate nursing education prepares the graduate for entry into
professional practice as a generalist who cares for persons as individuals,
members of a family/group, and as communities in both structures and
unstructured health care settings.
The complexity of decision-making and accountability increases in proportion
to the complexity of the client, the health care setting, and the preparation of
the practitioner. The different levels of nursing education imply
education increases in complexity to correspond with the competencies of each
graduate.
Person
Each person is a physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual
being, and is, therefore, unique and irreplaceable. The person is
continually interacting and affected by the internal and external environment.
Each person is dynamic and distinct, because they have unique and common basic
human needs throughout the life span. The person within the context of
individual, family/group, or community is the recipient of nursing care.
Environment
The environment consists of internal and external elements which are in
constant interaction with the person. The internal environment is composed of
physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual factors which
influence the person from within. The external environment includes the physical
and social elements that are external to and interactive with the person. The
internal and external environments interact to produce needs unique to each
person. The process the person chooses to meet those needs changes the
health of the person.
Health
Health is a dynamic state influenced by personal choices occurring in and
across all environments. The health of a person is dependent upon
resources available within the internal and external environment. Through
collaborative efforts, health is promoted, maintained, and/or restored until the
end of life.
Nursing
Nursing is a scientific discipline that provides holistic care for culturally
diverse persons across the life span. Nursing acknowledges the dignity,
worth, and the right of all persons to have their health care needs provided in
and across all environments through the use of nursing/research process.
The practice of nursing is based on knowledge, which incorporates critical
thinking, communication, therapeutic nursing interventions, professionalism,
roles, and service.
Nursing Education
Nursing education requires a foundation in liberal education, which provides
an effective base education within the university setting offers the opportunity
to interact with students from diverse education disciplines, which provides the
individual an experience to build a broader foundation, thus shaping their
practice of nursing.
Nursing education is a life-long process that assists individuals in
developing the potential to function productively within an existing and ever
changing health care system. The use of technological resources and innovative
creative teaching strategies provide optimal learning experiences.
Learning occurs when the student perceives it as relevant and the information
received has concurrent application.
Faculty facilitate, create, and guide learning opportunities, thus enabling
individuals to seek and develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prepare them
for practice within the nursing profession.
Department of Nursing Home |
Mission and Philosophy |
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| RN-BSN Completion Program |
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